Mobile+Learning+for+the+Elementary+Student

=Mobile Learning - anywhere, anytime learning with the use of mobile technology devices.=

media type="youtube" key="AQgCXEoTap4" height="349" width="560"

=__ The Impact of Mobile Technology on Learning __=   *In //The World is Open// Bonk states, "With the increasing mobility, connectivity, and versatility of educational

technologies, there is the //**potential**// to devise environments where learning is taking place all the time and for

anybody seeking it."


 * However, "Simply providing access to computers and the Internet does not guaruntee that students will use the computers for meaningful instructional tasks"(Kemker et.al, 2007). []

*Carly Shuler of the Joan Ganz Cooney Center in a report titled //Pockets of Potential// highlights //**five**// opportunities to

seize mobile learning's unique attributes to improve education.

1. Encourage "anywhere, anytime" learning- learning in a real world context outside the classroom

2. Reach Underserved children

3. Improve 21st-century social interactions- promote and foster collaboration and communication

4. Fit with learning environments - small in size and fit more naturally within various learning envronments

5. Enable a personlaized learning experience - adaptable to individual and diverse learners

To read the report click on the cover page above and download the full report.

  ==*As of Vahey and Crawford's 2002 study (cited in //Opening a Dialougue on the Technologies in Education,// Kim, Holmes, & Mims, 2005) "about 90% of teachers in K-12 agree that PDA's are an effective instructional tool and contribute positively to learning." []==

//**however**// ...
==﻿Although classrooms with access to the Internet have reached 98% by 2008, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, very few schools are currently using anything more than a single computer in the classroom and an occasional trip to the computer lab.==

** //in fact...// **
===** // * //On the Department of Education's survey for current teachers, although covering different areas from taxes to cooperation with fellow staff, there are surpisingly few questions about technology, and those present do not go into great detail about what, why, when, and how those technology opportunities are being used. [] **===

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">__Mobile Lea__ __﻿ rning at the K-5 Level __
= =

=<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">[|Gobles third-graders get smartphones] = =<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">One of the most interesting examples of mobile technology being used today is examined in Sung et al.'s study examining the possible educational benefits of mobile guide use during a museum visit. (click this link for a fun example of guided museum //etour, []// ) = =<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">The study found that, very simply, = =<span style="font-family: 'Arial Black',Gadget,sans-serif; font-size: 90%;">"findings show that the problem-solving mobile guide system we designed for this study allowed more peer-to-peer and learner exhibit interactions and concentration than...traditional learning sheets" (pg. 113, 2010). [] =

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 180%;">__Current Issue and Proposed Solution__

 * //**__Issue__**//: Despite research and survey data that show not only teacher and student interest in mobile technology use, but also the educational success when such technologies are used, there are very few schools using this technology.

Schools spent $4.4 billion for textbooks in the 2006-07 school year, according to Eduventures. While that's only about 1% of total expenditures, the prospect of free, state-approved materials could profoundly influence how schools spend money — and what publishers offer, Newman says. "If suddenly you don't have to spend $100 million every four years on textbooks, it's not found money, but certainly it's money that could be applied to other kinds of educational endeavors." (click link for //USA Today// story with additional information [] )
 * __**//Note before considering proposed solution//**__:
 * //__Proposed Solution__//: Education needs to acknowledge the way the wind blows concerning technology. Using money for PDA's and othe mobile technologies as opposed to textbooks is a very simple solution to a very large issue. Grudgingly as it may be for some in the education field, textbooks and paper resources need to go the way of cursive and handwriting. In today's technology driven world there is simply no time to be wasting with outdated resources and outdated learning outcomes. The same way it was once unheard of to not be able to handwrite a formal letter to express one's ideas, it should be ridiculous to allow students to arrive in the workplace without technology competence.

Comments: I found the video that you share to be riviting. Good find. I may ask to share that with the education department faculty at the next faculty meeting. Your solution seems like a great one to me. In fact, I attended a meeting recently in which administrators from Talbot county were explaining their laptop program and they added that it is partially funded through textbook money. Nice job. Informative. Dr. Royer

I agree! That video was really interesting. Also, I never thought about how much money is spent on textbooks that become outdated every 4-5 years, when that money could be used towards technology. I know the literature textbooks in my room cost about $80 each, and although they are full of great stories, I am still stuck poring through websites trying to find articles and short stories to supplement what we read. Imagine if each student had a Blackberry tablet. I could email them links and quizzes, and they could instantly send them right back as soon as they finished. Talk about increasing mobility and connectivity! Nice job. - Megan

I loved the video also! Regarding your situation and solution, AMEN! We got brand new textbooks last year and I haven't used them more than 5-10 times this year. Its so sad to waste all of that money on worthless supplies. Some teachers do use them, but I would much rather have some technology to put in students' hands in place of them. We were just discussing the fact that so many of our students go to the middle school without strong writing skills, especially regarding format, but when do they have to really WRITE in the real world? You can type a paper just as fast and have it formatted and spellchecked for you. Doesn't this make SOOOO much more sense? ~ Angie

I also loved the video! Very cool and interesting. I live in Talbot County and the 1-to-1 Laptop program that Dr. Royer commented about started about 2 years after I graduated. I can tell you that the first time this was mentioned at a Board meeting, it made the front page of the newspaper. Then it was a big to-do at all the County Council meetings and School Board meetings. I was amazed at how many parents and community members were against this technology! I mean, that's what our world is headed to, so why not?? I think the first year or two of the program was funded through a grant, and good thing or Talbot County probably still wouldn't have this program going now if it was up to the Board and County Council. And imagine this - they saved money the first year the County had to fund some of this program - why? From not having to buy as many new textbooks. Amazing, right? Katie F.

Goble's Third Graders and the smartphones link was really cool! I loved that the teacher said, <span style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">"I think that my job as a teacher is to make sure that the novelty doesn't wear off," As I have been reading these sites, I can't help but agree. Even my own interest is lost in the newest technologies. My boyfriend just got a nook color and it is so amazing. For the past 2 months I have asked to borrow it to read, play games, even access the internet. However, more recently I have gotten kind of bored. I think that is always the educators challenge though. Good job! - Sam K

<span style="color: #454545; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">I enjoyed the clip hearing from educators all over the world explaining how mobile technology was impacting their schools. One teacher said they would rather say yes to new technologies and figure out the details later rather then say no and prohibit the students from using them. I thought this point of view could be used more by people in the United States or we are going to fall behind when it comes to using technologies. The article about the third graders using smart phones was interseting also. Students need to be exposed to more technology as earlier ages so they can be successful in college and the work place. - Nick Jones