Here to stay...Mobile Technology

Mobile technologies are here to stay and will not be going away any.  As more students begin to tap into using mobile technology directly from the classroom more and more teachers and schools will need to take advantage of these cost effective, portable devices that allow users to connect, learn, and share anywhere.

Mobile technologies offer teachers and students a more flexible approach to learn than the more traditional computer labs because students now use technology in the classroom, in the school garden, in the study hall, in the gym, and on field trips (Wylie, 2013).  Teachers need to change the manner in which information is accessed.  The students now entering the classrooms have grown up with technology at the fingertips making them digital natives able to navigate technology with ease.  Unfortunately, the educational system we work in is not always known for its speed at latching on to new ideas and methodologies, but with mobile learning, it is catching up quickly (Wylie, 2013). 

Mobile learning devices can enrich the learning process for students because they are versatile, motivating, and active learning tools that can assist in bridging the gap for students with learning differences as they allow them to feel more like their peers and foster a sense of normalcy (Wylie, 2013).  By allowing students to use the mobile technology already in their possession, students will likely be more engaged in the learning process.

As Jeff Dunn (2012) stated mobile technology has come up as a popular means of adult education in recent times because these devices have been used so long for sending/receiving calls, writing messages, listening to music and taking photos that adults are comfortable with their use. With mobile devices, the educational event or activity follows the learner, instead of the learner having to arrive at a designated place in which to acquire it (Bonk, 2009).

 Smart phones in the classroom

http://www.teachthought.com/technology/40-simple-ways-to-use-a-smartphone-in-the-classroom/.
Smartphone technology puts a virtual mini computer in the hands of each user with internet capabilities, apps, video and image recording to name just a sampling of the possibilities.  Even though, upon immersion into the educational setting, smartphone devices were deemed a distraction and were often discouraged in the classroom, the technology is here to stay.  As educators we need to embrace this technology because the possibilities these devices hold are endless.  In the learning setting, smartphones can be used as e-readers, note pads, recorders of lectures/conferences, podcasts,  alerts, etc.  This site provided lists 40 ways that smartphones can be used in a classroom to motivate and engage the learner.  Many adult learners use a smartphone daily so it is a technology they are comfortable using.

12 Top eLearning Tools for 2012 and  Beyond

http://gettingsmart.com/cms/blog/2013/01/12-top-elearning-tools-for-2012-and-beyond/

10 Tips to Kindle in the Classroom

http://gettingsmart.com/cms/news/10-tips-for-kindle-in-the-classroom/

Adult literacy continues to be a serious educational and economic issue in the United States. Currently, there are an estimated 32 million adults living with such low-level literacy skills that reading a children’s picture book or understanding the instructions on a medicine bottle pose a challenge (Lipschultz & Figueroa, 2011).  By using the Kindle or comparable  e-reader, learners have access to a plethora of reading materials as well as apps that assist with spelling, writing, translation.  In the classroom the Kindle allows adult learners who struggle with reading to download materials at their specific level, alleviating the need for a course text, which may not meet the needs of each learner.  Additionally, applications can be downloaded to the Kindle to strengthen writing and text to speech for pronunciation.

References:

       Bonk, C. J. (2009). The world is open: How web technology is revolutionizing education.        San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases
Dunn, J. (2012).  How mobile technology ushered in a new era of adult education.  Retrieved from Edudemic http://edudemic.com/2012/01/mobile-adult-ed/. 
Lipschultz & Figueroa (2011).  Placing adult literacy front and center.  Retrieved from http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/inside-scoop/placing-adult-literacy-front-and-center
TeachThought Staff (2012).  40 simple ways to use a smartphone in the classroom.  Retrieved from http://www.teachthought.com/technology/40-simple-ways-to-use-a-smartphone-in-the-classroom/.

Wylie, J. (2013).  Mobile learning technologies for 21^st century classrooms.  Retrieved from: http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3754742.

Social Networking

Social Networking in the Classroom

New technology forces the 21^st century learner to process and apply information in a very different way and at a very different pace from any other time in history (Davis, Edmunds, & Bateman, 2008).  The span of time between learning something new, being able to apply it, and finding that it is outdated and no longer useful continues to decrease making how people connect to the information and knowledge a vital concern (Davis, Edmunds, & Bateman, 2008).  With the incorporation of social networking sites, users are able to access and share information at a much quicker pace and to a larger population of participants.  All roads now point to a Web where little is done in isolation and all things are collaborative and social in nature with the ability to share, connect, and create with many, many other of like minds and interests (Richardson, 2010).

                                        Social Networking Technologies

Twitter

URL:  https://twitter.com/

Twitter or more aptly, Twitterverse, is a “microblogging” tool that has grown by leaps and bounds since first being introduced in 2006, now being implemented by online educators as a powerful professional development and communication tool ((Richardson, 2010). Twitter was developed by Jack Dorsey and Biz Stone as a free microblogging service.  Users of Twitter can tweet up to 140 characters at a time and include links to other content in their tweets.  The users have the option of making their tweets broadcast publically or kept private.  Twitter users include celebrities, politicians, journalists and companies wishing to influence their customers. 

Incorporating the use of Twitter in an educational role provides the users a virtual network at their fingertips that can be accessed to find answers, link to blog postings, resources, or share ideas for projects as one progresses through the day (Richardson, 2010). 

Edmodo

URL:  Edmodo.com

Edmodo is another free site that provides services similar to that of Twitter but in a more secure setting that would be more appropriate for the K-12 environment.  In order to join, the user needs to create an account, which can be linked to the school you teach in.  One feature that I found to be beneficial is the ability to select which groups to follow, for example one could select language arts, special education, college readiness, etc. which will make the search for information more streamlined.

In an effort to provide learners with a place they can connect and share ideas, project information, or other academic related resources, both Twitter and Edmodo offer a free, easy to access service.  As an educator attempting to instill in my learners the importance of 21^st century learning skills, I would establish both a Twitter account and an Edmodo page.  Members of the class could then join and conversations, links, and additional sources could easily be shared with all those following our tweets. 

Technology Integration in Education

URL:  http://www.technologyintegrationineducation.com/
 
This site provides a plethora of blogs and postings by those striving to integrate technology in the learning scenario.  Through its ease of use, one can access blogs by topic of interest as well as join and participate in a learning community focused on specific areas of interest.  As an educator the integration of technology and keeping abreast of innovations and new ways to utilize existing technology is an essential component to being a successful educator.  This site would benefit not only the educator but also the leaners as well, especially if they are interested in becoming an educator, speaker, presenter, or consultant.

References:

Davis, C., Edmunds, E., & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008). Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.), Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Connectivism.

Mashable.com/category/twitter

Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Educational Technologies

Canvas: A learning management system
http://www.instructure.com/higher-education

A learning management system (LMS) is a software application that can be used to document, track, report and deliver educational courses, training programs, and webinars. A LMS is web-based allowing for portable access to information quickly and easily. LMSs provide online learning, assessment, and management of courses. Users are also able to particpate in collaborative learning by sharing applications and responding to discussion threads. Canvas by Instructure is a LMS that offers the user, both instructor and learner, a variety of options to assist with enhancing the online learning experience. Canvas offers flexible pedagogy that supports a variety of learning styles as well as a speed grading option that can even be accessed with an iPad. Canvas can link to social media sites, SMS text messaging, and other communication channels so that the user can be notified postings etc.

Pinterest
http://pinterest.com/
Much like David Cavallo (2012) stated, technology can be used to improve the learning environment, not by making it everybody does the same thing at the same time, but really making it such that every person is an individual, building on what that person knows and loves and is interested in, using technology as an expressive, constructive medium, such that they can express and make things that are important to them, but really help explore particular area. Pinterest is generally related to the younger generation that use it to share photos and videos with their peers, but it is beginning to receive attention for the role it is taking on in the classroom. Pinterest uses pinboards which are ideal for group collaboration necessary for completing a project. Group members can pin photos, videos, and other resources to the group's board so that all members have access without having to meet at a specified time or place. Additionally, Pinterest has lesson plans that can be accessed by teachers and incorporated with ease into the existing curriculum. As teachers discover the power of using Pinterest as a teaching tool, there is an increase in the site being used for homework and classroom assignments (Walsh, 2013).

References:
Laureate Education, Inc. (Executive Producer). (2012e). Using digital media for learning. Baltimore, MD: Author.

Walsh, K. (2013). Three ways pinterest is getting used by teachers. Retrieved from http://www.emergingedtech.com/.

Emerging Technologies

Tablet Computing According to the Horizon Report (2013), tablets have captured the imagination of educators around the world, being led with the incredible success of the iPad. This year, the administration approved a new technology agreement that has permitted student use of hand held electronics with the ability to connect through the school wifi. Students have since been using their tablets, Kindles, iPods, etc. to assist in the completion of their assignments. From the available options, I would consider the tablet, a form that does not require a mouse or keypad, to be viewed as an emerging technology. The Horizon Report (2013) states that these devices have become more used and understood as distinct and independent of other mobile devices such as smartphones, e-readers, or tablet PCs. My rational for selecting the tablet is because of its ease of use and adaptability. In the adult learning environment, the tablet could provide many of the necessary applications previously attainable from the “home computer”. The tablet is portable and is conducive to learning outside the classroom as well, providing the adult learner the ability to learn in virtually any scenario. Mobile Apps Coupled with tablet integration is the ability to download and use mobile apps to assist with research, composition, interfacing etc. Many disciplines now have mobile apps dedicated to deeper exploration of specific subjects, from the periodic table of elements to histories of art movements (Horizon Report, 2013). The use of apps in the adult learning environment will provide up to the minute information as well as further increase the ability to learn on the go. Mobile apps are particularly useful for learning as they enable people to learn and experience new concepts wherever they are, across multiple devices (Horizon Report, 2013). Jane Reference: The New Media Consortium (2013). Horizon project short list: 2013 Higher education edition. Retrieved from: http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2013-horizon-higher-ed-shortlist.pdf.