BRINGING DOWN THE WALLS: INTERDISCIPLINARY TEACHING AND LEARNING USING MOBILE DEVICES

Children are entering today’s classrooms having had significant interactions with technology. These early experiences have empowered children and thus developed a generation of independent students with higher expectations, limitless accessibility to information and knowledge, and educated voices. Such transformations in students’ profiles are putting pressure on educators and testing the viability of current educational systems in many countries around the world. Today we have increased opportunities to bring down walls, to stimulate collaboration among teachers, and to provide opportunities for active and authentic student learning through the use of the array of available wireless technologies, including mobile and smart devices. In order to take the greatest advantage of the tools available, creative and authentic approaches to teaching and learning must be explored. The case study being presented illustrates how the use of project-based learning with an interdisciplinary approach can better prepare preservice teachers to meet the educational needs of today’s students.