Week 4 Initial Exploration of Mobile Device ( iPad2)

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Week 3 Voice Thread Posts

1.       What is you experience of the degree of penetration of mobile devices in your workplace/ and or teaching context?

In my view EQ is supportive of the use of mobile devices (almost exclusively iPads) . There are a variety of resources available through the Learning Place, in particular, One Channel recordings and EdStudios. Access to specialist staff is also available through these channels.

In my school context there has been minimal use of iPads in classrooms at this stage. We have 8 iPads that are borrowed term by term from the library. Our school has had one classroom demonstration of iPad applications for learning. While I own an iPad myself I have not used iPads with my students….yet : )

2.       How are mobile devices used in your work/teaching context? What are they used in this way?

Mobile devices ( iPads) are mainly used in the lower grades at the moment. I have seen them used in literacy or numeracy rotations with students working independently on drill and skill type activities. I think there is a greater teacher awareness of using apps for this type of activity and there are quite a lot of apps created to help younger students develop basic skills. This is also a safe and easy way to begin using iPads in a classroom.

iPads are also used by special needs students in our SEP unit but are not usually used by these students in their regular classroom.

3.       In your view, what are the main challenges to mobile learning in your context?

Accessibility and logistics are the main challenges in my context. Organising the borrowing of 8 iPads between 6 classes, syncing all of the devices, installing aps, recharging and safe storage & transport of iPads around the school are all limiting factors in my view.

As mentioned in the 2013 K-12 Horizon Report short list, ongoing professional development and peer mentoring would also be beneficial in supporting teachers ( including myself ! ) to use iPads to redefine tasks and support the development of higher order skills/21^st Century skills.

Week 2 Reflection

Mobile Learning Readiness:

Me : I own an iPad. I use my device for my own learning but have not engaged in an indepth investigation of my devices educational uses for my students. I initially bought an android tablet but after discussions with my schools tech support found that EQ is set up to support iPad use but not android devices. 

My organisation ( EQ) : Our readings about the uptake of mobile devices in Australian schools ( Qld & NSW) confirmed by personal observations that as an organisation EQ has made significant moves towards implementing mobile learning through supporting the use of iPads in schools. I was not surprised to read that iPad use is outstripping our understanding of how to effectively use these devices for educations as this is a recurring theme when investigating technology for learning.

A search of the Learning Place turned up some very useful resources.

Edstudios. One of these provided a self-paced beginners course in iPad use for teachers. This EdStudio also addressed the issue of choosing apps and provided advice framed by the SAMR model along with different rubrics that could be used to guide these decisions.

One Channel Recordings – There were a large number of recordings that seem to cover all aspects of using iPads in schools and classrooms from the general logistics of managing devices to sessions on specific apps.

I also found to my surprise that iPad apps also come up in a general search for resources in the Learning Place.

Learners:  Many of the students at my school already own and use mobile devices in the form of tablets and iPads. Anecdotally I would say that more girls than boys owned a device but this may just be that the girls in my class were more likely to offer me help with my iPad ! 

Short vs Long term option

I was very interested in the idea that mobile devices are leap frogging computers in schools. This would match the global trend outlined in the infographic and slideshare resources from our readings where the number of people owning mobile devices and using them to access the internet outstrips those using PCs.

I was also interested in the potential of mobile devices to support spaced and continuous learning.

With these factors in mind, mobile learning is a long term trend … although something new many come along to replace or modify it .

Supports :    

·       being able to bring the device to students is a major positive for me !

·       Student engagement with mobile devices/ technology.

·       Ability to record audio, video and still images  + the multiple functions of the apps

·       Teacher perception that the use of content creation apps has greater benefits.

Barriers:

·       access to devices (we have 8 iPads available for borrowing in our school of 6 primary classes)

·       time spent managing multiple devices – charging, syncing, installing apps.

·       Need for a consistent approach to choosing apps within a school.

·       View that iPads mainly support drill and skill apps.