You may have heard of Google’s mobile platform, called Android. The first phone using this mobile operating system is now available (built by Taiwanese company HTC). What is exciting and potentially very promising about this platform is the fact that it is open source. This means that anyone can create applications that run on the system, including, potentially, applications for learning and teaching. I was at Korea University last week and was shown some very interesting preliminary work by Professor Gyutae Kim and his colleagues at the Centre for Teaching and Learning who proposed the use of Android equipped cellphones to allow students to collect record (written and audio) lecture notes and upload those to their own online repositories or share them with other students. Students could also submit questions to the lecturer during class or respond to polls.
The integration of mobile devices with institutional (language or study skills) support system is particularly promising as it allows educators to bridge the gap between public and private learning and for students to access materials and support when and where they need it. Expect more educational implementations in the coming months (hopefully from myself as well!).

More information about Google Android here.