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Mobile devices- Introduction

Page history last edited by Antonella Marchione 13 years ago

The evolution of the mobile device from Ericsson's first fully automated mobile phone system in 1956 to todays smartphones e.g. Iphone and Android has seen a reduction in size and weight of these deivces, an increase in function and ease of use and a decrease in cost. Teachers and schools are beginning to incorporate mobile learning and mobile devices into educational practices. These devices allow students to take a more active role in their learning and follows a more constructivist model of learning as opposed to the more traditional behaviourist model.

 

Technology changes rapidly and consequently the lifespan of any device is approximately two years. Annual sale of mobile phones is currently around 1.2 billion units, weighing 84,000 tonnes. Redundant mobile phones amount to almost 65,000 tonnes in waste each year, seeping hazardous substances into the environment. 

 

Whilst it is important to use mobile technologies with our students to encourage on the spot learning, we also have a responsibility to teach them about the social, economic and environmental impacts that these mobile devices have.

 

Materials called rare earth metals (REM) are used to make mobile devices. These REM are extracted and purified in China. The environmental regulations for mining and purification are lax. Until recently China was responsible for supplying up to 97% of the worlds supply of REM. In 2010 China announced an embargo on the export of these elements. This caused the world to stop, think and look for other sources of these materials.

 

Coltan,is a source of Tantalum, a material used to make components for mobile devices. Coltan mining has been responsible for fuelling a civil war in the Congo. Production and trade of Coltan is controlled by armed rebel groups or governmental groups. Corruption is rife, miners, which include children, are not adequately renumerated for their services and because miners have to work in remote locations they are forced to survive on food in the local area. Food, in this instance, is the critically endangered gorilla.

 

Rare Earth Metals  

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