I believe that mobile learning is the way of the future for education. I believe that it needs to evolve and make many strides forward to be as effective as possible.
This year I have dedicated a large chunk of my time to developing online lessons, activities and lectures that I am linking to my Moodle page. My book is available online as well so I hope, in the next 2-3 years, to be a completely paperless classroom. This year my 7th grade team ran a pilot wireless program. The district bought 32 netbooks and made each of our rooms wireless. This jump started my paperless classroom initiative. It has been a great experience with its successes and pitfalls and we are looking into more funding to purchase more netbooks for next year (althought I truly do like the cellular computer idea...). The program really opened my eyes to the availability of information to the students by offering our classrooms online. No longer does learning stop when they leave my room, it may happen at midnight for some kid who is watching my lecture on Moodle...simply amazing..!
I see the benefits to mobile learning, but have also seen some of the drawbacks first hand with mobile learning. Security is one big issue. Theft isn't really an issue in my school, but more so, the security of the software. I know their are programs to monitor student use, but we have had kids change backgrounds, download games, play with the camera, etc. with those programs in place.
In reviewing some of the arguments for and against mobile devices in school, I can relate to both. Do we want students to have to ability to take pictures of other students inappropriately? No. Do we want students to have easier tools to cheat with? No. But are we going to deny a chance of success for a student because of a few bad eggs? What if a cell phone keeps a student in school? What if that is the only thing we gets up for? Are you going to deny them that because you're scared of what they might do? I believe that with careful monitoring, the vast majority of students will breed success from using mobile devices.
here is a link to my post on classroom 2.0. http://www.classroom20.com/profile/ScottCox
This year I have dedicated a large chunk of my time to developing online lessons, activities and lectures that I am linking to my Moodle page. My book is available online as well so I hope, in the next 2-3 years, to be a completely paperless classroom. This year my 7th grade team ran a pilot wireless program. The district bought 32 netbooks and made each of our rooms wireless. This jump started my paperless classroom initiative. It has been a great experience with its successes and pitfalls and we are looking into more funding to purchase more netbooks for next year (althought I truly do like the cellular computer idea...). The program really opened my eyes to the availability of information to the students by offering our classrooms online. No longer does learning stop when they leave my room, it may happen at midnight for some kid who is watching my lecture on Moodle...simply amazing..!
I see the benefits to mobile learning, but have also seen some of the drawbacks first hand with mobile learning. Security is one big issue. Theft isn't really an issue in my school, but more so, the security of the software. I know their are programs to monitor student use, but we have had kids change backgrounds, download games, play with the camera, etc. with those programs in place.
In reviewing some of the arguments for and against mobile devices in school, I can relate to both. Do we want students to have to ability to take pictures of other students inappropriately? No. Do we want students to have easier tools to cheat with? No. But are we going to deny a chance of success for a student because of a few bad eggs? What if a cell phone keeps a student in school? What if that is the only thing we gets up for? Are you going to deny them that because you're scared of what they might do? I believe that with careful monitoring, the vast majority of students will breed success from using mobile devices.
here is a link to my post on classroom 2.0. http://www.classroom20.com/profile/ScottCox
In my opinion, we need parents to buy in to the idea of using mobile devices as an integral part of learning. If we have their support, that should help with management issues. A couple years ago I heard about one high school in Chicago where the families purchase a laptop (cheaply) through the school, one:one ratio, and are partly responsible for its safety and security. Once you make it not just the school's problem, I think that will help.
ReplyDeleteDo you think it could happen in your district where families have to pay some fee for their child to use a netbook?
Oh, I like your attitude when it comes to mobile learning. I like that you are not afraid of change and the challenges it often brings.
ReplyDelete