Is it Over Already? A Summary of Learning

As a graphic designer by trade, and a teacher at heart, words are very important to me. When I started trying to summarize my learning over the last eight weeks in the Mobile Learning class, the first thing that came to mind was a stream of words. Therefore, I am going to organize my thoughts by simply going through the words that to me have come to represent EPSY 590: Mobile Learning. In no particular order...

Access.

This class made me really think back to my beginning in the GSE program. The way I access my classes, submit assignments, interact with other students, and complete work is all congruent with mobile learning. I was able to attend class on the porch of a houseboat floating in the Boston Harbor. I submitted assignments and made contact with my application creation group members through my mobile phone while driving down the eastern US shore. Through QR codes that we discussed in great detail we can instantly access in depth knowledge on a given subject. Augmented reality allows student access to situations and environments that will increase their understanding and knowledge. Cloud computing allows one to access the same information from a home computer and a mobile or school device.

Speed.

Mobile learning is instant. We live in a world of instant gratification and every new technology tries to make one more aspect of our lives 'instant.' The speed at which we can perform tasks through mobile learning is unbelievable. A new textbook or the summer reading options for students can be uploaded instantly through use of an eBook. Global interaction can be instant with the use of mobile photos and videos.

Ease.

Some may consider it laziness, but mobile learning has made many tasks easy. Communication is no longer confined to telephone booths or pen and paper, but through mobile phones, Apps such as Skype mobile, QR codes, formative feedback, Diigo pages, and so on, our students can communicate easily with students across the world, or have meaningful continuous conversation and discussion with students across the room. Mobile Learning creates an easy space for us to learn. Like I read in the Design Principles for Mobile Learning, it starts with a question. How can we make something easier and more meaningful for our students. It is quite possible some avenue of mobile learning is a viable option.

Function.

Mobile learning is function. It is all about function. OLPC offers functionality to students across the world who were previously unable to access mobile learning. With cloud computing students can continue work in multiple subject areas throughout their day in different classrooms, different buildings, and even at home. Augmented reality can create a safe way for students to be actively engaged in learning important but possibly dangerous situations (See my prior post on Augmented Reality in a technology high school).

How can one truly summarize Mobile Learning when it is not finished and will never stop? While Mobile Learning creates alternate avenues for our students to generate knowledge and knowhow, it is a learning process itself that is constantly growing and evolving. Maybe it is heading 'to infinity and beyond?'

Its Safe. Its Fun. Its Real. (well in an augmented sort of way)

Augmented Reality. What is it?

Augmented reality (AR) is a term for a live direct or an indirect view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. (Wikipedia)

A very simple way of thinking of it is a video game. Its a simulation of some sort of real life situation or experience.

I talk often about design, the arts, and Career and Technology Education (CATE) because that is what I know. This is the world that I live in and as I think about all of the amazing programs and opportunities available at my technology school for students, my mind starts running wild with ALL of the perfect ways Augmented Reality could be implemented in CATE. Every program at my school is run like a real-world business or career field. My classroom is run like a design firm. Our carpentry class builds and entire house every single year just like a construction company would do. Our cosmetology students become state board certified through their program. Our nursing students become CNA's after the completion of their program. We ARE completely project-based and try to create as realistic of a job environment as possible for our students. It is quite obvious that augmented reality creates a realistic simulation of some sort of environment which can be beneficial to any sort of educational setting. However there are other benefits.

SAFETY. Safety is a HUGE concern in many of the program areas offered at my school (and many other schools across the country). Having some sort of augmented reality simulation for our firefighting students to learn the steps for rescue from a dangerous situation, our criminal justice students to learn the proper ways to disarm an offender, our welding students to learn how to use a new type of metal, and our emergency responder students to learn how to address and instigate a proper plan, would increase their experience and understanding without compromising their safety and overstepping the boundaries of a secondary school systems rules and regulations. For these students to have a successful career in these areas and make a positive difference in their community, they must be able to react calmly and quickly in intense and dangerous situations.

PRECISION. All of our students are given an opportunity to perform and practice their selected field. My students spend over 80% of their two years of classroom time with me on individual projects. All of our program areas are equipped with the proper tools and equipment to give the students an idea of what the career entails. However, a good bit of the time the practice our students get is on a small scale. Due to limited funding, time, and resources, we can only give our students a taste of what the 'real world' is like. With augmented reality, our students would be able to experience very detailed and in-depth situations and environments on a larger scale to increase their knowledge and understanding of their chosen career. Sports marketing students could create and oversee a national event rather than just organizing a school wide movie day. Small engine repair students could use augmented reality to examine and recondition a larger variety of items, such as motorized water crafts and motorcycles, instead of just the lawn mowers, smaller bikes, and 4-wheelers they see in class. Our students' knowledge base could be come much more refined and precise for post-graduation studies and jobs.

In closing I ask...what can augmented reality not do? Why would we NOT implement it in education? It could be an integral PART of our curriculums and would complement written exercises, projects, lecture and class discussion very well. No part is enough in it self....not even augmented reality because there is always going to be some exception to every rule and way, but it could be helpful nonetheless.

Thumbs Up for E-Books! (advocacy paper)

We have all seen the commercials representing the 'battle' between the Apple iPad and e-books such as the Amazon Kindle or Barnes & Noble Nook.

Instead of debating whether one technology works better in sunlight than another, I simply want to reveal the benefits and opportunities provided in education by e-books viewed on these personal tablets.

What is an E-Book?

Simply put, it is a full length printed publication (article, book, with or without images) in digital form.

Why use an E-book?

E-books have many capabilities. Obviously they offer a digital copy of a publication, relieving the size and weight of books and textbooks. Some available options are large storage space, text-to-speech, drawing, free available downloads. Compare different options here.

There are many opportunities for teachers to use e-books within the classroom. Download plays, mapping in geography, literature circle, and many more.

Here is a specific opportunity on how to create digital 'Big Books' using an e-book.

E-books create alternate avenues for reading, especially for ESOL and special needs children. There are many accommodations available with e-books such as text interactions (highlighting, bookmarking), adjustable text size, and interactive dictionaries.

There are many instances where e-books provide a unique opportunity to students of different ages, backgrounds, and hardships.

Deaf Students given e-books for use at school.

E-books help visually impaired students.

Love to Read with E-book club?

Bridging the Achievement gap one E-book at a time.

All Mobile All the Time

In Chapter 7 of the Mobile Learning document I found something to be very interesting and helpful. In the research done, Kukulska-Hulme and Pettit compiled a list of the most frequent activities performed on mobile devices. This list included the following: text messaging, browsing websites, listening to audio files, reading e-news, making notes, taking a photograph, and viewing a photograph/image. If we, as educators, can focus in on the activities that our students most use mobile devices for, we can show them how these same ventures can be used to learn. We can create a positive association with what we are trying to teach the students. Can they use their mobile device to take classroom notes? Can they take a photograph of items they see in their daily lives to be used as good or bad examples of a current design project? Can they access local and national news articles to understand current business and politics? Can they access different music from different genres to understand the psychology behind sounds, sights, and smells?

The fact of the matter is we have to meet our students in the middle. Go to them and what they are most interested in and make it a source of learning. Use their love for technology to your advantage!

Send in the Clouds

There is always something new in technology. The hardest part is not necessarily learning each new opportunity, but rather always knowing what is coming up next. Cloud Computing is a newer wave that is starting to take over and hopefully is seeping into education. As quoted from a blog on cloud computing,

Also, think how convenient homework assignments will become. The students can work on the cloud, cooperate with team members and share knowledge, and be sure that they won’t leave behind their homework assignments when they go to school. Since they are on the cloud, they can access them anywhere, be it home or school.

'My dog ate my homework' is just not going to cut it anymore! We are able to hold student accountable for the work assigned to them and giving them an avenue to complete their work in a somewhat easier fashion.

Cloud computing does not only benefit students but also faculty. Cloud computing can make the interworking of a school or even college work more efficiently and allow for sharing across state initiatives and across school districts.

M-Learning...for ALL

After reading mLearning: A Platform for Educational Opportunities at the Base of the Pyramid, I was reminded of an article I had read in a previous GSE class and my favorite quote from the article was the fact that mLearning can create 'accessible education to all learners." There are many benefits that I think we will continue to see increase and improve for education for those in remote and poorer areas of the world through mobile learning. The possibilities are truly endless!

OLPC. for better or for worse?

One-to-one computing is ALL the rage. My district specifically has decided to distribute an iPad to every high school student and teacher within the district to reach one-to-one computing goals set a few years ago. Many schools and districts are now also distributing laptops as an educational tool to students in lieu of textbooks, pencils, paper, and other 'traditional' resources. The Once Laptop Per Child (OLPC) is a great organization who's goal is to provide children in some of the poorest and most remote areas in the world with a laptop for educational use. Enabling these children, especially at such an early age, to have access to some type of mobile learning is very beneficial for the future of each of these individuals, but there are drawbacks. Is this US based company simply enabling those who previously were without mobile access? Or is there some hope to encourage the 'American Way of Life' and American philosophies of capitalism to other areas across the globe? Are we really focused on helping these children, or simply hoping to teach them to be like us?

Coding....QR style.

Do you want to find me on Facebook?

Have a look at my wedding website?

Or how about take a look at my school?

Or maybe just create one yourself?

Reading QR codes is as easy as downloading yet another app to scan the images. Creating QR codes is just as easy. Simply go to a generator site and paste a link. I am very fortunate that my students have already been using QR codes and it was very easy to incorporate into my class. Since I teach Digital Art & Design (graphic design) I had my students to start creating QR Codes and using them in their designs this past Spring. We have been slowly creating a brochure for each program offered at our school and starting placing a QR code on the back panel of each brochure that would lead readers to the class website for that particular program. We have also used them on magazine advertisements, flyers, and other promotional pieces. It was very easy for me to show real world benefit of using QR codes within designs and how useful they can be for advertising and marketing purposes. I am excited to incorporate them even more into my curriculum for the Fall.

Design=Life

I was quite excited to delve into this week's readings when I saw that one of them dealt with design. I am a graphic designer by trade and am fortunate enough to be teaching graphic design in a technology high school. I absolutely love EVERYTHING design. I love graphic design and working to create attractive advertising and marketing materials. I also love set design, fashion design, interior design, wedding design, event design, and the list continues! While the reading for this week was focused on a different type of design- Design Principles of Mobile Learning- I was still very excited. Why? Because I have come to realize (and this passage helped me do so) that everything new and innovative in our world has come from some sort of design. The outlying principles are always the same. There is a problem or need that creates a purpose for a new design. Creation starts with design and mobile learning is no different. I came across this additional passage when reading this week that also dealt with the design of mobile learning. In education, design is still the center of innovation. I think we need to start really focusing on where our students need improvement and additional help, and from there DESIGN a way to use different avenues of mobile learning to assist with the predetermined problem(s). We have to read our students. What do they respond to, what do they like, what are they really calling out for and where do they need help? Then it is up to us to design a strategy to assist them. Whether it be through blogging, Diigo, podcasts, using mobile phones for photos and video, youtube, QR codes, online surveys, etc for feedback...the list continues. But it MUST. START. WITH. DESIGN!

My Choice is the RIGHT choice! (a case study)

My Choice Board

My Choice Board is a visual representation of available ‘choices’ for any given situation. The My Choice Board app is mainly targeted toward those with limited communication skills. Commonly the app is used with children with autism, communication delays, or learning disabilities. These children are able to view a visual display of possible selections and are given the ability to express themselves and their specific wants and needs. Some of the common schedules are meal choices, free time choices, clothing choices, and many more. Custom boards can be created to express any personal preference or decision.

This app can easily be used in classrooms with students who lack properly developed communication skills. These students can use the app to become accustomed to mobile technology and to ease decision-making difficulties. Educational schedules include ‘activity station’ choices, lunch choices, related arts choices (i.e. music, PE, art, foreign language, etc.), reading choices, writing topic choices, etc. My Choice app can easily improve classroom management especially when used in classrooms with large numbers of students with limited communication skills. While the My Choice Board app can improve communication skills, it can also serve as a great introduction to iPad or iPod use as a communication tool.

Features

-Add your own custom images to schedules: Adults can add images to personalize the schedules for each child. Photos are uploaded to My Choice and can then be added to any future schedules.

-Record sound to the images: Adults can record sound (i.e. the verbal form of each choice) to not only reinforce the available choice, but to also help with verbal communication development.

-Circle/slash used to show a choice is ‘unavailable’: The red circle and slash through it can be added on top of any choice image to show that that specific choice is unavailable.

-Simple setup: Easy to use and customize!

How does it work?

Once the images are selected and downloaded the individual touches the preferred choice to show their preference. Once the choice has been made the selection is displayed in the “I want” strip at the top of the screen. If the individual touches the image again the image is enlarged and the prerecorded message is produced (if created originally).

What's the Buzz about My Choice?

Created by Good Karma Applications

Speaking up for Autism

What is Available

From a Parent's point-of-view

Check it out yourself!

Sorry, I think I'm getting some feedback...

Surveys, Quizzes., Open-ended Responses, Oh My! Feedback is no longer just the noise from a walkie talkie that is almost out of range. In a world of instant gratification, students want feedback...instantly. Likewise, their parents want feedback...instantly. A grade is no longer good enough. Like a small child who wants to know the reason and cause for everything...everyone is asking WHY? Why did I receive the grade I received? Why did my child not pass your class? Why does Joe have a higher average than me? There are many resources that provide options for in-class feedback (both for the teacher and the student). But what is hard about feedback? It takes TIME. Well what about our new friend the QR Code? Could it be the time-saving formative feedback answer to prayers? Make your own opinion. I will be interested to see how technology further breaks the time crunch barrier for in this case, formative feedback.

Are we secure?

Security. Always a question on our minds. Home security...are we safe in our own homes? Are our belongings safe when we leave home? HomeLAND security...is our country safe? Can we travel with our family or even with students around the country and be sure of our own safety? And now... Mobile security...are we safe in cyber world? Let me start with an example. Last week I traveled to Kansas City, MO with a total of 25 students from my school (and 4 other instructors) for a weeklong national competition and conference for SkillsUSA. Internet was only available at our hotel for a high price, so I used my mobile phone throughout the week to do most of my cyber correspondence. I routinely checked my email, even paid a few bills online via my mobile phone. We checked student scores, reviewed old class materials for practice, and even kept up with our local college baseball team's scores at the College World Series. Was our safety compromised throughout our week of no wireless Internet access? And if so, what could we possibly do to prevent further security issues? As a Droid user myself, I find information such as this interesting in my search for an answer.

Mobile photos in action

Mobile photos can be used in my class to allow students to take pictures of logos and ad pieces they see for their fellow students to critique and use for design discussions and for future inspiration. They can be uploaded to a blog similar to this for class access

Generation Y teaches Generation Y

Age is just a number right? According to today's society, much research and focus has been put on age. Technology and technical knowledge equal success. The younger one is, the easier it is for them to learn and master new emerging technologies. In education a common topic for discussion is the gap between the age of students and the age of teachers. How can a Baby Boomer teacher acquire enough knowledge of new technologies to be able to teach a Generation Y student something they do not know? Or Baby Boomer teachers just cannot constantly learn about new devices like their Generation Y students can. Well what about when a teacher is also a Generation Y?

I am 24 years old and have recently finished my 3rd year teaching Digital Art and Design to high school juniors and seniors. As a new teacher at 21 years of age, I was faced with a few challenges but most importantly great opportunities to teach my fellow Generation Y-ers. As someone who also grew up with computing and digital devices for most of my life, I share some similar mindsets of my students when it comes to digital media. I had a Facebook page when it was first only available to college students, am now on my 3rd smart phone (Motorola Q, then Blackberry Tour, now HTC Incredible Droid), have 2 iPods (a Nano and a Touch), have owned and used multiple laptops (both PC and Mac operating systems) and am now gearing up for a school issued iPad 2. Like my students I live in a digital world. I use mobile devices to communicate with others, share pictures and videos, stay informed, find recipes, travel, and teach. I really enjoy having a different view of my students than many of my older colleagues may have. I am growing with my students as we learn about knew mobile learning devices.

Mobile learning is inevitable. Some are trying hard to avoid it, while we should all be embracing it. I am working this summer to revamp many of my design lesson plans to incorporate opportunities for mobile learning. I look forward to having my students incorporate QR codes into brochure and advertisement designs, continue incorporating social media references/links to their own digital portfolios and corporate identity webpage designs, etc.

So the biggest question for me is how can I as a Generation Y teach my fellow Generation Y in a unique way?