For Class Discussion:
Mobile and virtual learning will continuously grow expanding the horizon of promises, innovations, revolutions, and challenges. Distinction between mobile and virtual learning can be subtle, and video/online games and virtual worlds are also web technologies not to ignore. Truth is, adoption and use of web connected mobile phones and devices will grow, and their needs for content access and collaboration will expand. Less discussed, but important and related pedagogy includes location based learning, ubiquitous learning, and game/simulation-based learning.
- Mobile Learning Environments by David J. Gagnon
- Educause's 7 Things You Should Know About Mobile App
- Educause's 7 Things You Should Know About Android
- The Official Google Blog: The Future of Mobile by Steve Kolowich
- Educause’s 7 Things You Should Know About Virtual Worlds
- Video Games and the Future of Learning by Kurt Squire
- Sharing: The Moral Imperative by Dean Shareski (26 minute video)
- Questioning the Future of the Open Student by Vicki Davis
- Free as in Freedom: The Power of Pull – John Seely Brown by Sumeet Moghe
- Travis Allen’s Blog: The Life of a 21st Century Student.
- The Mobile Campus (#3 and 4 illustrates the current practices, challenges, and needs of proper research)
- Educause: From Distraction to Interaction: Incorporating Cell Phones Into the Learning Environment (13 minute audio)
- From Toy to Tool: Cell Phones in Learning a blog by Liz Kolb. Please explore her site and be sure to listen to Liz Kolb’s and Jeff Stanzler’s blogtalk radio interview with Florida Spanish teacher, Ariana Leonard. You’ll find the interviews on the right hand side of her blog. You can listen to this interview directly on the site or via iTunes. (35 minutes)
- Educating the Net Generation, Chapter 12, Learning Spaces
- Educating the Net Generation, Chapter 15, Planning for Neomillennial Learning Styles: Implications for Investments in Technology and Faculty (You can choose either the pdf or html version (with diigo highlights) of Chapter 15)
- “Living Epic”: What the title means and what it implies by Roger Travis. Be sure to read parts 1-3 (the links appear at the end of posts 1 and 2)
- My Personal Learning Network in Action by Karl Fisch
- Cell Phones in the (Language) Classroom: Recasting the Debate by Peyton Jobe
- Social Media in Africa, Part 1
- Social Media in Africa, Part 2: Mobile Innovations
- Social Media in Africa, Part 3: Democracy. Want to know more about the impact of mobiles in the developing world? Check out this 38 minute presentation by Nathan Eagle of MIT (not required), “Crowd-Sourcing on Mobile Phones in the Developing World“
Popular Tools - Course Google Site at https://sites.google.com/site/idt351sp2012/
- PhoneGap - Open source mobile framework for developing/downloading apps
- Portable Applications (Many applications are search-able by topics and categories)
- Second Life, OpenSim, and Virtual Worlds Review
- Scratch - Easy to use remixing tool from MIT (video 1 min)
- Game development: Unity, GameSalad, Sharendipity, Alice (3D programming)
- National Library of Virtual Manipulatives
- Siri - Virtual assistant
- Foursquare - Others can check where you are and where they have been, info around you
- ClassSpot and TeamSpot from TideBreak.Inc
You can comment on any of the
following:
- Which tool was your favorite? How did the tool compare to others introduced in this week? If you plan to adopt the tool, for what purposes will you use it and how often? If you don't plan to use, why not?
- Do you think a school or workplace must actively use tools introduced in this week? Anything to consider in adoption or implementation at school or work?
- Or your reflection on anything related to the course (material, assignment, clarity, usefulness, suggestion, reaction to others, etc.)
Mobile technology is increasing everyday and it is expected that over one billion devices use a broadband internet connection. Now that this technology is reaching more and more hands each day, the mobile generation can take on more than just phone calls and texting but they can take on an educational role, as well. Using the correct mobile applications is key though to create a successful learning environment.
ReplyDeleteApplications such as Dow Day can give students an interactive experience that brings the stories alive. Instead of just hearing about the history of the day, students can see video footage and be apart of conversation when standing in an appropriate spot the event due to app's GPS.
One other application, Mentira, a mobile game that teaches students spanish by taking them on a mystery game. From there they move to interaction with physical and virtual spanish speakers in real places increasing their curiosity and knowledge of the language.
Due to most everyone having a smart phone now a days, implementation of these educational apps are simple, just allow students to explore and they will find their way. Allowing mobile devices to be brought in to the learning world allows education to flourish not only in the classroom but outside as well.
Mobile and Virtual learning is a topic with great success. More so with the mobile aspect because of the convenience and being very user friendly. According to CTIA (The Wireless Association), stated in their June 2012 report, in June of last year, there were 321.7 million subscribers connected in the United States.
ReplyDeleteMy personal use on mobile devices is not like most typical users today. I have a "dumb" phone where I don't use it to surf the web. I use it for phone calls and texts. I have tried switching to a data plan, but the prices convinced me to buy a android tablet instead. It is really great because half the time I am around campus where WIFI is readily available for my use.
Tablet could count as a mobile device and they do the same thing without the high monthly bill via Sprint! I only paid two hundred dollars for the device, but I have saved over 300 dollars. The device has paid for itself!
This was my first time learning about all of the tools above. I would have to say that Siri is my favorite because it is more user friendly and also it is one of the hottest items in technology right now. Siri was the only tool that was able to catch my attention and also keep it. The other sites made me lose focus or I forgot why I was there. Siri is basically your assistant. She is able to do everything that you ask. If you have questions, needs directions, or just want to send someone a text or email without typing Siri is there for assistance. I don’t think I plan on using the other tools that are list because they don’t see as much fun. Those tools seem as if it all works and no play. Siri has a fun and business side which is great. I don’t on plan on using Siri because I don’t have an apple phone or ipad.
ReplyDeleteI think Siri would be more excitement to the work place and school. When teachers or boss are not available to answer a certain question for their student or employee, Siri would be able to help get the job done. She can also give an explanation to certain detail of assignments and also play back the messages that the teachers leaves for the students if the teacher is absence. Siri also can help with sharing important documents for a business meeting.
This assignment was a great learning experience for me because I was not aware of all the great benefits that Siri was capable. I would even say it almost convince me to go buy an apple product because their features on apple are little bit more advance that android.
Out of many mobile tools, Siri is one of the most useful and interactive tools that can be used for learning. With voice command, it can be used to set reminders, problem solve, take notes, and act as a personal digital assistant. Using Siri, a student could set reminders so a student will not forget their assignments. It can also be used if a student needs a question answered, they can get the response quicker than if they had to use the Internet and look it up. If Siri does not know the exact answer there are ways of troubleshooting to solve the problem at hand. You can also command Siri to take notes which can be useful when in the classroom or when you need to make a mental note, or rather a digital note so you don’t forget. Using Siri as a personal digital assistant, when used appropriately is a strong and useful way to learn.
ReplyDeleteI am not familiar with any of the above tools. Technology is becoming more popular in todays world and its crazy how phones can change that much in just years.
ReplyDeleteI can see where it would be great to have an iPhone or iPad for anything educational, it especially helps the blind people. They count on that stuff everyday, thats how they read and type. They count on that technology and also brings them to school with them. iPhones, iPads, tablets and any other devices like those have helped blind people in so many ways.
I have used Siri once and I am going to say that is my favorite tool. Siri is supposed to do everything you ask her to do. From what I experienced Siri is fun to talk too! She helps you out on a lot of things that I never thought a phone could do.
I dont plan on using Siri or any of the above tools because I do not have an iPhone or iPad or anything else. But if I had one I would use them and I am glad I got to know more by reading the above websites listed.
Of all of the tools this week my favorite is probably Second Life. I’ve spent time using Second Life in the past and believe that it or a program similar to it will be useful in educational settings.
ReplyDeleteSecond Life is a virtual world that is created by the users. It allows users, called avatars, to explore the vast virtual world. Second Life can be great for educational purposes because avatars can explore virtual educational settings. For example, in the past, universities, government agencies, library etc. have set up site on Second City. So, for example, a user could use their avatar to explore a virtual library to see if they’ve got that book they wanted. Or a user could travel to a U.S. immigration site to find out how to apply for a passport. Additionally Second Life also supports video and chat clients so users can communicate with their peers. This is good for collaborative learning.
Second Life is also useful because it teaches 3-D modeling skills. Users in Second Life can use a creation tool to create their own geometric shapes. This is a good skill.
All in all I think that Second Life or some successor can be of good use in education. It allows users to learn in a 3-D environment.
Though I have never used any of these tools, I have heard of a few. I have heard of Siri and Second Life. Out of all of the tools I would consider my favorite one is Second Life. I am interested in virtual things that's why I think I like it the best. I think it can be good for educational purpose, but only for children. I think this will make children more interested in doing work. Though this can also lead to problems like some people may get too used to the virtual world and start to actually feel like they live in it. I don't think its good for older students because I feel that they wont be as interested unless its something they are interested in.
ReplyDeleteFor Siri, I have heard of it and saw it being used, but i have never used it for myself. Siri is only available to certain people who have IPhone products, and I feel that people who don't have IPhone products will never get to use it so it shouldn't get used in educational environments. You can use it on your own spare time to help you out but not for everything.
Out of all the tools listed, Siri would probably be my favorite because it's quick, convenient, and lets me know exactly what information i asked for. Compared to the other tools listed it's definitely the most convenient and easy to use. I have adopted the tool because it comes right on Iphone now and i use it whenever i need to find out a fact or formula or something really quick and I use it almost everyday.
ReplyDelete