mobile learning device | E-verything!

Introduction

This session was a little different – discussion in a previous Serendipity session gave rise to the idea of taking a brief look at how individual teachers use a tech tool of their choice. Thus the “Show and Tell” session was born. We had three fantastic short presentations from Rodney (@techyturner), Tracey (@mmebrady) and Sandra giving us great insights into exciting ways to use technology with our students.

The Session

The session was recorded as usual – including some preliminary chat about the wildlife in our respective backyards. Please let me know if you access the recording.

Rodney started proceedings by telling us about “clickers” and the many applications of these in his classroom. He explained that he is able to get instant feedback on student understanding and how much the students enjoy using the clickers. This prompted text chat discussion and questions about the range of activities that can incorporate clickers.

Tracy told us how she has used GoogleVoice in her classroom and has utilised the students’ own mobile devices – a great solution for someone who has little technology available in their classroom. Because Tracy teaches French the oral dimension is critical and Tracy has used GoogleVoice to enable her students to respond orally to questions posed by her Voki.

Sandra finished off the session by telling us about how she has used “Max’s Toolbox” with very young students. This is an interface that is used within an MSOffice environment and has icons and tools that are simple to use. Sandra showed us how Kindy students have created simple slides on themes relevant to them.

Conclusion

This session was excellent – it was a fantastic way to share teaching strategies and tools, without the pressure on one individual to fill a whole session. Three seemed to be just the right number of presenters and we had lots of discussion and questions around the topics. “Show & Tell” is definitely a theme to repeat!

Next Webinar

Our next session is an Edublogs “Serendipity” session on Thursday June 23^rdat 23:00 GMT/UTC (Afternoon/Evening USA) or Friday June 24^th at 7am West Aus, mid morning Eastern States Aus depending on your timezone (check yours here) – in the usual Elluminate room. This is one of our fortnightly unconference sessions where we invite you to bring along your “hot topics” and “burning issues” for our poll on the topic of the day.

Introduction

This was a great session! Unfortunately not all captured in the recording as I was late starting it. I have tried to fill in the gap by writing a little more than usual at the start.

The Session

Our chosen topic was Mobile Learning Devices (MLDs) in the classroom. Use of the acronym has incidentally given rise to the next Fine Focus topic – see later in the post for details.

We started with a brainstorm on the whiteboard to share our thoughts on what we saw as MLDs. there was quick agreement on cell/mobile phones, tablets, PDAs, netbooks, but a bit of discussion around laptops, digital cameras/videos and e-readers. The following were suggested as criteria: light, portable, internet capable and also having both input and output capability.

We were very lucky in that one of our number Tracy (@mmebrady) has recently started using MLDs in class. Tracey gave us a great run down on how she is using PollEverywhere with her students so they can use their own cell/mobile phones in class and can answer questions online. A great motivator for students who are normally not allowed to get phones out in class! Tracy also told us about how she is exploring QRCodes and placed one for her blog on the whiteboard. I have since downloaded a free QRCode reader for my phone & visited Tracy’s blog from my phone via the QRCode on the whiteboard – very exciting! Access the recording and try it for yourself!

The discussion about QRCodes was great piece of Serendipity – I had come across them but hadn’t really thought about ways I could use them, but this really helped to get me thinking about some possiblities. I can see lots of potential for enabling students to access links through mobile devices directly from written resources by including a QRCode.

We finished with a diversion from the main topic into a short discussion about designing a “learning experience” and what would be important to include in such a design.

Conclusion

This was a fascinating session and has certainly encouraged me to look at more possibilities for mobile devices even though in my region we have many areas with poor coverage.

Our Next Session

Our next Webinar is an Edublogs “Fine Focus” session. This week in “Come hither, all ye victims of (e-learning) jargon” We will: take a look at some of the jargon we use unconsciously; and ask does this put educators off exploring e-learning and if so what can we do about it. Phil will invite you to collaborate on a “dictionary” of some of the e-jargon we all use regularly. Join us on Thursday June 2 ^ndat 23:00 GMT/UTC the time for you will vary depending on your timezone (check yours here) Thursday afternoon/evening in the USA, late night Thursday in Europe, and Friday morning in Australia – in the usual Elluminate room