Aberdeen part of EU collaboration to increase mobile tech use in higher education 

Representatives from the University of Aberdeen School of Education visited Lisbon during the last two weeks as part of an EU funded project looking at the use of mobile technologies in higher education and teaching.

Three members of staff from the university and four students on the BA in Professional Development degree programme took part in the Erasmus+ Intensive Programme in Lisbon. They worked with university staff and students from Austria, Germany, Greece and Portugal.

The group designed new curriculum materials; for example, using Instagram and video stories to share learning, podcasts to record reflections as well as working on a project wiki and twitter feed with the hashtag #mine2018lisboa.

“It has been interesting to hear how others use technology in their own environment,” said Ross Weatherby, one of the BA in Professional Development students, “[and] to find out what others do, how they do it and the students they work with.

“When I return to work with the Workers’ Educational Association Reach Out Project, I can adapt what we’ve covered to use with my learners who are classed as disadvantaged in today’s society.”

Dr Rachel Shanks, programme director, added: “Erasmus+ is a fantastic scheme to be involved in, and working alongside colleagues from across Europe has been a valuable experience for both staff and students.

“I look forward to feeding back to colleagues about the great ideas that have been generated on this programme.

“Mobile learning is already on the increase in higher education and is only going to become more the norm of how students learn, as such it is important that we are involved in projects like these to ensure we remain ahead of the curve.”