Image source: Kurious, CC0 Public Domain
Critical Challenge Question: MASTERS Project Discussion
Critical Challenge Question: How might engagement in a blended learning environment be enhanced by mobile devices?
The school in which I teach does not have a plethora of technical resources. It has two and a half class sets of aging desktops and one set of ineffectual laptops that are shared between some 1200 students. None of the technology is scheduled to be replaced, rather the schools district is introducing policy relating to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) to provide students access to technology. Several teachers in the school, including myself, have piloted the program in our classes with varied success.
As technology is becoming more ubiquitous it is becoming more apparent that students often have technology that has more functionality than we can provide at school. Add to this the concept that technology has the power to provide greater access to resources on an any time, any place basis and it would be remiss not to consider adopting some technology into the classroom. BYOD, including mobile technology therefore not only has the potential to free resources within the district, but also allow students to engage in a more personalized blended learning experience.
With the power of mobile technology becoming equivalent to the traditional PC, and more students having access to a mobile device than a laptop, I wish to further investigate how mobile technology can enhance the learning environment and promote engagement.
The product that I would like to produce is a template for the assessment of mobile applications in an educational setting. This will include factors relating to the usability of applications with a variety of devices (i.e. IOS vs Android), the ability of them to support personalized learning and promote student engagement. This product would be shared via a website through Creative Commons Licensing.
The school in which I teach does not have a plethora of technical resources. It has two and a half class sets of aging desktops and one set of ineffectual laptops that are shared between some 1200 students. None of the technology is scheduled to be replaced, rather the schools district is introducing policy relating to Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) to provide students access to technology. Several teachers in the school, including myself, have piloted the program in our classes with varied success.
As technology is becoming more ubiquitous it is becoming more apparent that students often have technology that has more functionality than we can provide at school. Add to this the concept that technology has the power to provide greater access to resources on an any time, any place basis and it would be remiss not to consider adopting some technology into the classroom. BYOD, including mobile technology therefore not only has the potential to free resources within the district, but also allow students to engage in a more personalized blended learning experience.
With the power of mobile technology becoming equivalent to the traditional PC, and more students having access to a mobile device than a laptop, I wish to further investigate how mobile technology can enhance the learning environment and promote engagement.
The product that I would like to produce is a template for the assessment of mobile applications in an educational setting. This will include factors relating to the usability of applications with a variety of devices (i.e. IOS vs Android), the ability of them to support personalized learning and promote student engagement. This product would be shared via a website through Creative Commons Licensing.