7 mobile learning myths no educator should believe

Two researchers discuss myths associated with mobile adoption and use

mobile-learningBy now, educators are familiar with the term mobile learning — or mLearning — having experienced its rush in classroom popularity starting as early as 2000. But two researchers say it’s now imperative that educators slough off the myths from the reality to avoid ineffective classroom practice moving forward.

“In recent years, many projects have assisted in the maturation of mLearning and much has already been done to integrate mLearning into mainstream education. However, mLearning is still in its infancy and we are merely seeing the tip of the iceberg,” notes Tom Brown, a former associate professor of research and development in tech-enhanced learning at the University of South Africa , Pretoria (UNISA), and co-author of the report (after the report’s publication, Brown left to become CEO of a portfolio management company).

“Our perspectives on [mobile learning] seek to…stimulate an appetite to embrace the opportunities in open and distance learning, while minimizing the potential negative effects of technological, social and pedagogical change,” explains Lydia Mbati, senior researcher with specialties in higher ed-tech and pedagogic theory at UNISA, and co-author of the report.…Read More

Providing free wireless hotspots helps this district close the equity gap

A new program is helping students connect to devices and internet after the last bell

wifi-equityThe achievement gap. The literacy gap. The nutrition Gap. The preschool gap. It seems like our education system talks and talks about the inequities that exist between students and schools that are well-funded, well-supported, and well-granted, and those that struggle to keep the lights on, pay their staff, and run the HVAC.

There’s another gap, a growing one, perhaps with less media buzz, that has made its way to the doors of our schools. It’s one we can no longer ignore. This is the chasm between the homes with and those without access to quality broadband.

It’s a complex and layered issue. In rural schools, the availability of internet access beyond school and home can be difficult to obtain, while students in urban areas often can poach access from libraries, open networks in the community, or nearby fast food restaurants. In both rural and urban settings, many students are obtaining their wi-fi signals using smartphones as hotspots at a rate that isn’t sustainable for their cellular plans. Others have a home network that is plagued with speed and consistency issues. In all of these situations, learning, especially at the pace and rate necessary for today’s student to succeed, is inhibited.…Read More

4 apps that make writing with an iPad possible

Who says students can’t write with an iPad?

ipad-writingTablets are a fantastic tool for media creation. But when it comes to more traditional needs, like writing, laptop or desktop computers are still the way to go (or so the conventional wisdom says).

But as it turns out, tablets are extremely versatile tools for supporting writing instruction in the classroom, for everyone from our littlest learners to high schoolers and beyond. Why use tablets for student writing? Research indicates that using digital tools in teaching student writing encourages students to be more invested in their writing, facilitates collaboration, encourages creativity and personal expression, and allows students to share their work with a wider and more varied audience.

Read on to learn about a few of my favorite apps to support the prewriting process and enable your students to create dazzling digital books.…Read More

HP launches new technology and immersive computing

New technology offerings include convertible laptops, immersive computing

hp-technologyDuring ISTE 2015, HP announced new technology solutions for education that are aimed to enhance student and teacher experiences.

New products include two convertible laptops, the HP Spectre Pro x360 G1 Convertible PC and HP Pro x360 310 G2 Convertible PC.

The Spectre Pro x360 G1 is targeted to teachers and is an ultra-thin PC with the versatility of multiple modes (notebook, stand, tent, tablet) and features a battery life of up to 12.5 hours.…Read More

Impero Education Pro, SMART partner on classroom management

Partnership brings added functionality and platform support to SMART Sync customers

classroom-managementImpero and SMART Technologies Inc. recently announced that Impero has been selected as the vendor of choice for SMART Sync™ customers wishing to move to the next generation of classroom management solutions.

Impero’s Education Pro remote management and monitoring software is an enhanced classroom management offering that also includes remote management tools for school technical staff.

The partnership will allow any SMART customer to upgrade their SMART Sync installation to the full feature set of Impero Education Pro at the standard SMART Sync upgrade price.…Read More

Robots deliver multimedia lessons to teach STEM

Content platform turns content, including robot-delivered lessons, into custom learning challenges to promote play and learning

robot-contentCWIST, a web platform supporting learning projects for students from 3 to 103, is making its content platform and education experts available to companies who want to turn their content into custom incentivized lessons.

Its newest platform partner, Famulus Robots, offers step-by-step multimedia lessons using various robots to teach science and engineering concepts.

Famulus offers multiple robots designed for education and special needs, as well as head mounted displays. Students as young as middle school can learn robotics programming with lessons powered by the CWIST platform.…Read More

A leader’s guide to technology implementations

ISTE 2015 session examines how school and district leaders can best plan for a technology initiative’s success

technology-leadershipEstablishing a shared vision around a technology initiative is one of the most important success factors for that initiative, according to a panel of administrators from around the country who gathered at ISTE 2015 in Philadelphia to discuss a leadership roadmap to successful technology integration.

The panel was based around ISTE’s Essential Conditions, which are 14 necessary conditions for effectively leveraging technology. The conditions fall under the categories of people, policy, and resources.

Some of the conditions–such as consistent and adequate funding–are largely aspirational and may not be fulfilled.…Read More

EdRedi makes tablets ready for classroom use

New application ensures a safe instructional environment in which teachers control content and personalize learning for each student

tablet-toolTo help make tablets more classroom ready, Education Resources created its EdRedi application which allows classroom teachers to intuitively supervise and control their students’ name-brand devices, such as the Acer Iconia 10.1 tablet, the first EdRedi-enabled device.

Launched at the 2015 International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) conference, the new software application is equal parts device, content and instructional management combined into a single application for 1:1 learning environments.

Teachers can access EdRedi-enabled devices from anywhere within their network and can access the EdRedi Cloud anytime from any device that can connect to the internet, including a school desktop, iPad, and smartphone.…Read More

Schools can win up to 30 TechJacket device cases

TechJacket case is a case solution designed to protect most 11-inch laptops and Chromebooks

device-caseTrident Case has announced an opportunity for schools to outfit a classroom with up to 30 TechJacket cases. Through the contest, which began on June 10, schools can submit an original essay for a chance to win.

The Trident TechJacket’s patent-pending design offers tablet users protection that allows for easy transport. This design includes anti-skid protective corners, access to all ports (USB and charging) while the case is on, as well as shock-absorbing lining.

Devices can be used with the case attached. The case also comes with additional straps that can adjust to different Chromebook and laptop sizes. These straps, which are attached to the reinforced corner guards, are designed to fit Chromebook and laptop brands up to 11.6” in size, such as Dell, Acer, and Samsung while having the capability to protect devices from harm.…Read More

LOC releases new Student Discovery Sets for tablets

Tablet sets cover women’s suffrage, Japanese American internment, and political cartoons

loc-tabletsPages from the scrapbooks of the activists who fought for women’s suffrage. A political cartoon from the pen of Benjamin Franklin. Photos by Ansel Adams of Japanese Americans living in World War II relocation camps.

The Library of Congress is putting all of these historical documents, along with many more, in the hands of students and teachers through its three newest free, interactive ebooks for tablets.

The Library of Congress Student Discovery Sets bring together historical artifacts and one-of-a-kind documents on a wide range of topics, from history and science to literature.…Read More