Friday, February 1, 2013

Mobile Devices, Apps and Twitter

I am continually amazed at how much  I learn on twitter and I am so grateful to educators that continue to share!  I have reached out to a few schools over the last few months to arrange site visits to observe students using 1:1 devices, (mostly iPads) along with BYOD models.  The approach to each model is very different.  We have also been using Chrome Carts with my high school students for the last few months.

We formed a BYOD committee and we have visited school and had several meetings about our approach.  I think the most important question we should be asking is "What do I want my students to do" and "How will that support learning".   We have spent time on looking a devices ipad, chromebook, BYOD.  It reminds me of days when we picked between Beta and VHS machines!  I know it's not about the device, but it does impact the delivery in the classroom.  I came across an interesting link on twitter on the topic.
Choosing the Right Mobile Learning Device "Mobile learning will prove itself to the non-believers, I feel very confident about that. But until then, you should know that beyond exam results, teaching is about preparing students for what comes next; like it or not, technology is a big part of the future and we should be helping make sure that those who will use it, design it and disrupt it, know what they are doing and why they’re doing it.
The time to introduce mobile learning is now. Which device you choose should be dictated by the answer to one question:‘Does this device allow my students (no matter what their ability or learning style) to be exposed to the best, most inspiring content that I can think of?’"

A common thread with some of my visits.  Many of the schools have visited Burlington or have consulted with EdTechTeachers for professional Development. I like the fact they approach the iPad with Learning Objectives. Here is the link http://edtechteacher.org/index.php/teaching-technology/mobile-technology-apps/ipad-as to help answer the questions  I want my students to record, or to make a digital notebook, etc. Their approach is to put the emphasis on creation, not consumption of apps. Many of the apps they recommend may be perceived more as "containers" rather than specific apps for the classroom.



Here are a few, (iBooks for pdf's, epubs and ibooks using mac iauthor) along with purchased books and in some cases textbooks.
Apps on many of the ipads in the classroom,
- Notability  
- Explain Everything  
- Google Drive 
- Evernote 
- DocScanHD 
- HaikuDeck  
- SoundCloud  
- Vimeo (free)
- Book Creator 
 - iMovie (4.99)
- Reflector (alternative to Apple TV) for the classroom and screencats!
- SMART NoteBook App ... just to name a few!

I plan on attending a conference next month and continue to learn from other schools in order to assist with our own BYOD implementation this spring.  

 I may be teaching another mobile class next month, so I will continue to learn along with my students and colleagues.

 A few good tips tutorials for using the ipad to explore with my classes next month!
Apple Guided Tours
  1. Part 1 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT2bD0-OqBM&feature=player_embedded 
  2. iPad Tips and Tricks (Ten Tips and Tricks!)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pArkIv46TEo 
I used Google Plus and Hangouts a few summers ago with a class on the Cape.  I plan to revisit this
month so I can incorporate into my class for the online portion of teaching!

Google for Educators to support this class!
I am hoping my class will find this post along with the class site of videos and presentations helpful!

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