Almost every college student carries a smart phone, or some other gadget, with mobile online capabilities which have largely not been considered or utilized for improving student
engagement. To explore this avenue, I have I introduced iTouch devices as a learning tool in my advanced inorganic laboratory course. Students use the devices to document -- by videotaping and photographing -- key parts of experimental work and provide an accompanying audio description.
The generated digital content (videos and photographs) is uploaded to respective student webpages within a class wiki created by me. Then, I evaluate each student's input within the wiki, including embedded media, and provide feedback. This approach creates a permanent and accurate account of experimental work, a tangible insight into student learning, and an engaging learning mechanism using technologies which are readily accessible.
Students also submit a hand-written lab record to complement the online pre-lab and post-lab
parts of the overall lab report.
