21st+Century+Learning--The+Mobile+Way


 * Learn About It! **

media type="custom" key="27777829" Note: to see all the videos in this playlist, click the name of the video next to the in the upper left corner. There are ** TWO ** videos in this playlist.

Interesting. So as we delve into our understanding of mobile devices and their place in the learning arena, let's take a look at these ideas:


 * A definition
 * The "disruptions of the past"
 * Mobile devices
 * Who are today's learners

The term “mobile learning” can be applied to any learning activity that utilizes a mobile device (defined here as smartphone, tablet, or cell phone), from a simple text message to a sophisticated augmented reality experience. Mobile learning seeks to utilize the near ubiquity and unique capabilities of mobile devices to make course materials available to students wherever they are, and to create new kinds of learning experiences. Mobile learning is not merely shrinking your course on to a phone--it’s about creating opportunities for students to take it with them into the world.
 * Our definition **

For the purpose of this course, we will limit our "devices" list to the following:
 * Devices **
 * cell phones
 * ipads
 * netbooks
 * mp3 players
 * ebook devices

Among many other educational and business issues is that of disruption. I used to have a boss who was the head of Educational Technology and he never let us have a laptop or cell phone at a meeting. He claimed it was a disruption--but it stiffled so many discussions and opportunites for "just-in-time learning". I wasn't alone with my frustration. I wonder if our learners feel the same!
 * Mobile Devices--today's educational disruption? **

Take a look at this list and think how things of changed: https://sites.google.com/site/mobidisruption/disruptive-innovations

Or ideas that folks have had through the years (this presentation is from AHS--Arapahoe High School where Carl Fisch [author of DID YOU KNOW video] teaches): media type="custom" key="23673146"

The critical question facing educations in all first-world nations today is "What are we doing to prepare our students for our world of today and tomorrow?" In his book, The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century, Thomas Friedman (2006) write that his advice to his daughters is as follows:

Girls, when I was growing up, my parents used to say to me, "Tom, finish your dinner--people in China and India are starving." My advise to you is "Girls, finish your homework--people in China and India are starving for your jobs." And in a flat world, they can have them, because in a flat world there is no such thing as an American job. There is just a job, and in more cases than ever before it will go to the best, smartest, most productive, or cheapest worker--wherever he or she resides. (p.277)

21st century skills are both content knowledge and applied skills that today's students need to master to thrive in a continually evolving workplace and society. ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) released in 2007 NETS (National Educational Technology Standards for Students) identifying these six standards.
 * 21st Century Skills **

1) creativity and innovation; 2) communication and collaboration; 3) research and information fluency; 4) critical thinking and problems solving and decision-making; 5) digital citizenship; and 6) technology operations and concepts.

It seems to me that these are skills/standards we ALL need in our ever evolving workplace and society.

But more so for our students, as this is ALSO the world in which they live and play. And, as educators and staff developers, it is critical to emulate the world they already embrace.

One-to-one computing is of great interest to many educators, but the costs are usually prohibitive. Students are also keenly aware of having to "power down" before entering most typical school facilities. But most students own or have access to mobile technologies such as cell phones, mp3 players, and netbooks (of some kind). These technologies could, with very little effort, make it possible to implement one-to-one computing initiatives in every school--if they were permitted on campus. However, at this point, few schools or work places encourage or promote wide-scale use of any of these devices. The intention of this course is to open that discussion and explore the use of these devices as tools for teaching and learning.

Not convinced? Not a big fan of Scholastic, I find this brief article worth reading (and it references two of my favorite people, Marc and Kelly) http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3754742


 * Think About It! **

One mistake that teachers often make when updating instruction to incorporate technology is simply to automate traditional activities. For example, students word process instead of writing with pen and paper or to a PowerPoint instead of creating a poster. Changes at this level do not challenge students to dig more deeply into the content and have little or no impact on overall student performance. Let's look at some classroom uses that have transformed classroom practice or extended the school day in ways that have a positive impact on student achievement.


 * http://flatclassroomproject.wikispaces.com/
 * http://www.tateract.org/
 * http://king.portlandschools.org/files/onexpedition/expeditionproducts/footprints/frameset/frame.htm
 * http://pacificrimx.wordpress.com/
 * http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/


 * Plan It! **

So, let's share a bit with each other. Create a mindmap (or graphic organizer, if you like that term better). Paper and pencil will work well, but there are lots of great digital ones also. Jot some personal ideas you have in the following areas: challenges to m-learning, device use in schools and business; obstacles; value of using devices; etc. You might also consider reflecting on 21st-century skill development; what changes will need to take place to have 21-century schools; what would a typical day look like with mobile devices in the hands of all kids. In essence, I'm trying to get you to "chat" on an open level.


 * Do It! **

Here are your assignments for this week (due next Sunday):

1) Post your ideas on your Google+ account in the KSU Mobile Devices circle. Be sure to comment on what other folks have shared. This does not need to be a "polite" discussion, but more one that encourages deeper thought. ** I GET THIS ** : you can't comment on other people's post until you add them to your Google+ circle and you can't do that until I share with you their gmail.

2) During your readings/viewings, you will come across words or phrases you may not be familiar with. EVERY week, you should plan to add one (or two) each week to our collaborative glossary so we all learn from each other. (I added some to start, but I do NOT care if you use them--now or ever!)