Mobile Apps in class ?
Mobile phones have been synonymous with distraction and
waste of time especially when used by children or students.
However,recent studies have proven the contrary. As a matter of
fact, research indicates that it makes students more excited and
eager to learn which is every teacher dream right?Mobile learning
comes with a bounty of benefits such as teachings students’
digital literacy, how to use social media and share content with the
world. With the rapid growth of technology nowadays, mobile
learning equips students with the necessary skills needed for the
21st century workforce. Furthermore, it teaches students how to think
critically when using the Internet, thus extracting useful information out of
it. When using technology as the bases of learning, teachers must focus on the
applications that aid students to showcase the skills they have learned, rather
than focusing on content applications.
An important question that all teachers should ask themselves before
implementing mobiles or ipads, is what is the added value? How will this help
my students understand and learn better?
Interview with Emma
Burchal first grade teacher
I was lucky enough to meet with Emma who uses ipads more
than any teacher at my school. Emma believes that technology based learning is
a great way to make learning less monotonous. According to her it makes
subtends more motivated to learn and they focus better in class. Emma does not
use ipads every day but whenever she feels like it will help her students learn
better and produce more quality work.
She uses a great application called book creator which allows her
students to create books and choose their own sounds, pictures and videos. In
my opinion this is a great way to get students involved and have them show of
their latest acquired skills.
Teacher resistance to change:
A lack of teacher preparation and knowledge when using
mobile applications for teaching is a growing concern. Most teachers fear this
option as they are used to more convectional methods of teaching. This new
approach will take even the best of teachers out of their comfort zone. In
addition, most teachers will argue that this new approach will deviate learning
from the original guided path that is based on deeply rooted theories and
approaches to learning. They fear it may cause an undesired change or threaten
old teaching habits especially during this epoch where most students are
considered as digital natives.
Guided principles:
1.
What is the added value? Will my students gain
anything from the implementation of this new device? For me that is the big
question to start with.
Ex: In my case I will be using
mobiles for physical education. I need to first download fitness applications
and see if they will be coherent with the objectives and goals I want to
transmit to my students. Students can work in pairs with one ,mobile phone and
motivate each other to complete the challenges provided by the fitness
application.
2.
Go over objectives with students is important
because they will understand why they are using mobile devices in PE class.
They will set goals for themselves that can be provided by different activities
and levels in the fitness applications.
3.
Do a tutorial of how to operate the application
prior the its implementation. They is essential because students need to know
how to use it in order to successfully accomplish their goals. For instance
when I implement the fitness application, I will show them the different
exercises that are available, how to do them correctly and what benefit or body
part it will focus on .
4.
Ask students about their background knowledge
using similar applications to know where they stand. This will help me as a
teacher to pin point areas that need more explanation or areas that might
hamper abilities to perform well.
5.
Safety is always important . I need to make sure
that my students use the phones or ipads in a safe and mature manner so that
they can work efficiently and effectively to reach their goals and objectives.
Works Cited
Shepard, Thomas. (March 25th , 2015). Making the case for Mobile learning and guided principles for implementation. Retrieved from https://tomsateachin.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/making-the-case-for-mobile-learning-guiding-principles-for-implementation/
Tom, Daccord. (Septemeber 12, 2007). Edudemic. 5 Critical Mistakes Schools Make With Ipads And How To Correct Them. Retrieved from http://www.edudemic.com/5-critical-mistakes-schools-ipads-and-correct-them/
Prensky, Mark. (August 22nd, 2015). Edutopia. Shaping Tech for the Classroom. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/adopt-and-adapt-shaping-tech-for-classroom.
Works Cited
Shepard, Thomas. (March 25th , 2015). Making the case for Mobile learning and guided principles for implementation. Retrieved from https://tomsateachin.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/making-the-case-for-mobile-learning-guiding-principles-for-implementation/
Tom, Daccord. (Septemeber 12, 2007). Edudemic. 5 Critical Mistakes Schools Make With Ipads And How To Correct Them. Retrieved from http://www.edudemic.com/5-critical-mistakes-schools-ipads-and-correct-them/
Prensky, Mark. (August 22nd, 2015). Edutopia. Shaping Tech for the Classroom. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/adopt-and-adapt-shaping-tech-for-classroom.
