This paper is part of the UNESCO Working Paper Series on Mobile Learning. The Series seeks to better understand how mobile technologies can be used to improve educational access, equity and quality around the world. It comprises fourteen individual papers that will be published throughout 2012.
The Series is divided into two broad subsets: six papers examine mobile learning initiatives and their policy implications, and six papers examine how mobile technologies can support teachers and improve their practice.
This paper reviews and analyses current and recent initiatives involving the use of mobile technologies for teacher support and professional development in Europe. Many of the initiatives are local, small-scale projects, often based in a single school or class. A handful are much larger projects that aim to have a substantial impact on education at a national or regional level. As a whole, the initiatives discussed in this review were selected to demonstrate the wide range of current activity in mobile learning throughout Europe and illustrate strategies that might be applied to future projects.
The focus areas of the initiatives fall roughly into four broad categories: 1) projects that use mobile technologies for teacher training and professional development; 2) projects that use mobile technologies to support teachers in their administrative duties; 3) projects that use mobile learning to support instruction; and 4) projects that provide research and recommendations on mobile learning for educators and policy-makers.
To access existing and forthcoming titles in the Series, please see:
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/unesco/themes/icts/m4ed/mobile-learning-resources/unescomobilelearningseries/