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Groundbreaking news on the use of mobile technology in education. via Eduware, Inc.

16% of EdTech Directors Expect 1 Tablet Per Student Within 5 Years

In a recent survey conducted by Piper Jaffray, 16% of school tech directory expect to have 1 tablet per student within 5 years. CNN Fortune contributor Philip Elmer-DeWitt breaks down the data:

  • 100% were testing or deploying iPads in their schools. 0% were testing or deploying Android tablets.
  • Their schools currently have an average of one computer for every 10 students.
  • Nearly half (12) expect to eventually deploy one computer per child; two of their schools already do.
  • More than a third (9) expect to deploy one tablet per child; one of them already does.

Hodgkins of TUAW adds the following:

Tablets may be useful for schools, but there are significant administrative hurdles that must be overcome before they see widespread usage. The survey reveals that almost half (48%) of the directors believe a tablet is important as an information gathering tool, but 64% see device management as a significant hurdle to deploying these tablets in a school setting. Also a factor is cost, which is a smaller (20%), but still a significant hurdle schools need to overcome.

Despite these challenges, some schools are embracing the iPad as a valuable teaching tool. In a controversial program, kindergartners in Auburn, Maine are using the iPad in the classroom for learning their basic phonic and math skills. Similarly, the Webb School in Knoxville, Tennesseeis requiring all incoming fourth to 12th grade students to have an iPad.

For information, read the source articles here (CNNMoney, TUAW). 

        

 

#iPadChat Archive: Wed. October 26, 2011

@Eduware_Inc @nathan_stevens I’m looking forward to hearing about this during the #iPadChat


@SNewco RT @kcalderw: Apps in Education: Art iPad Apps | #ipaded #edtech #ipadchat #mlearning http://t.co/lpFnpCvN


@coolcatteacher Great list of 43 #iPhone Apps That Sync http://t.co/43xPgs6J #mlearning #productivity #iPadChat


@SNewco RT @ShellTerrell: 18 Educational Apps for #Halloween http://t.co/MN56WQpH #mlearning #sigml #iPadEd #iPadChat


@DrPriceMitchell RT @coolcatteacher: Great list of 43 #iPhone Apps That Sync http://t.co/43xPgs6J #mlearning #productivity #iPadChat

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#iPadChat: Must Visit Links October 19- October 26

Get ready! Here’s your weekly #iPadChat link round up. Remember: read responsibly!

Join us every Wednesday on Twitter from 6:30 P.M. EST for #iPadChat! And remember, keep sharing those links!

        

 

Problems Arise With Virtual Schools

Photo by: Ian Usher on Flickr. 

The Washington Post released an article yesterday that spoke on the problems that have developed since the popularity of virtual schools has taken place. The article, by “The Answer Sheet” writer Valerie Strauss, points out that over 30 percent of the country’s 16 million high schools students have been enrolled in an online course. Strauss elaborates:

Virtual education is expanding. Forty states now operate or have authorized virtual classes for public K-12 students…In 27 states, the report says, full-time “cyber schools” are now operating…More than 200,000 students are enrolled in full-time virtual schools…

Due to this high volume of start up virtual schools, the National Education Policy Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder released a report delineating improvements these virtual schools can make. One such improvement states: 

Because many schools have no way of knowing for sure who is doing the student’s work when a student is taking a course online, arrangements should be made so that students have to take exams in person, administered by a trusted organization.

What do you think about the report and it’s suggestions for virtual schools. What standards do you think these schools need to reach?

Let us know, we would love to hear your thoughts on this topic! 

For more of the article, head over here.

        

 

Interactive Whiteboards: The Laserdisc of Ed Tech

Heather Wolpert-Gawron of TweenTeacher has put together a compelling and poignant article strongly discouraging the purchase of interactive whiteboards in favor of mobile technology instead. Some of her most engaging points include: 

The big clunky forward facing, whole class method of lesson delivery via Interactive Whiteboard, I believe, is the Laserdisc of educational technology. The overpriced fad of Interactive Whiteboards (whether Smart or Promethean) is imperfect in their current incarnation…inherently these pieces of equipment do not illustrate the spirit of technology in information delivery: all-access, collaborative, open, interactive, etc

She goes on to cite a quote from Bill Ferriter of EdWeek

I’m willing to argue that even with time and training, interactive whiteboards are an under-informed and irresponsible purchase. They do little more than reinforce a teacher-centric model of learning…make presentations, give notes, deliver lectures…I ask you: Do we really want to spend thousands of dollars on a tool that makes stand-and-deliver instruction easier?

Her alternative solution to the interactive whiteboard is mobile devices:

Mobile technology caters to individualization and differentiation, which is the present and future of student-centered learning. Mobile technology is cheaper and also represents the concept of “democratization of information,” the openness of high levels of information to the masses. The Interactive Whiteboard is still locked and loaded into the antiquated philosophy of “sage on the stage” rather than “guide on the side.”

Are whiteboards an irresponible purchase? Is mobile technology the best solution for the classroom?

I encourage you to read the entirety of the original post here.

        

 

Product Helps Schools Monitor Mobile Broadband Traffic

Students Enjoying the New Media 21 Laptops

Educational technology company Kajeet recently announced it’s newest product, a web-based administrative platform for managing student mobile learning devices, during the Wireless EdTech 2011 Conference in Washington D.C.

The program, titled Sentinel, will work to filter mobile broadband usage of inappropriate sites, control cost, and “ensure academic use.” It also allows parents to purchase additional data plans for their children at home. 

Programs like Sentinel can definitely be useful to provide students with a safe environment to travel the Web. However, many questions may arise about the schools complete control over Internet content.

Should parents be involved in deciding which sites to block? Or are programs like these exactly what schools need to use? Be sure to share your opinions with us bellow or tweet at us @Eduware_Inc! 

        

 

#iPadChat: Must Visit Links October 12- October 19

Here’s your weekly link roundup! Have more to share? Be sure to add them in the comments section!

Be sure to join #iPadChat every Wednesday 6:30 P.M EST every week!

        

 

#iPadChat Archive: Wed. October 19, 2011

@Eduware_Inc Wireless #EdTech11: Uniting Business, Academic and Government Leaders to Discuss Mobile Learning http://t.co/pj7LdxRe #ipadchat

Wed Oct 19 00:34:18 +0000 2011 - tweet id 126456101553184768 - #1
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@welearnmore #education Leverage your iPad and iPhone Screens to Spark Success #mlearning #ipadchat http://t.co/8qHeBan3

Wed Oct 19 00:38:11 +0000 2011 - tweet id 126457077588692992 - #2
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@clefit RT @iteachnology: Clefit out does Keynote with “format painter” feature on the #iPad #ipadapps #ipadchat … SLICK!!

Wed Oct 19 03:25:34 +0000 2011 - tweet id 126499200673382401 - #3
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@profteresa Cool Cat Teacher Blog: Leverage your iPad and iPhone Screens to Spark Success #mlearning #ipadchat http://t.co/tEut3Qyk

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Attending Wireless #EdTech11 ? Don’t do this!

We posted a few a these tips earlier this year for the #iste conference, but they are generally applicable for all conferences, so we are bringing them back. Here they are, our advice for what NOT to do at this year’s Wireless #EdTech11. 

1) Don’t be a XXXXXXXX.  There’s a few select words that I’ve chosen not to use on this blog that I think you can use to complete that sentence.  I’m all for criticism.  I think it makes people stronger and I’ve often disparaged the fact that so many people are ‘too nice.’  But that said, there’s a difference between civil discourse and just being a XXXXXXXX.  It takes a lot of guts to put yourself out there and speak at ISTE.  I’ve only seen a few people really blow off the privilege, most pour their heart and soul into it.  If you disagree, that’s fine, but there’s a line between criticizing someone and delving back into middle school bullying tactics.  Be a critic, be a strong critic, but at least be respectful.

2) Don’t grow roots. One of my favorite places is the Bloggers Cafe.  And there’s a definite appeal of just hanging out there and waiting for people to show up that you already know, or are going to meet for the first time.  However, there’s SO many good presentations, workshops, poster sessions and activities going on.  Schedule your Bloggers Cafe time like you would a session.  Set an alarm if you need to.  Spend time hanging out, but if you aren’t careful you could find yourself planted in one spot for the entire day.  Breakfast, lunch, happy hour, dinner, and the evenings/parties are great times to get your socialization time in.  Believe me, I won’t be avoiding the Bloggers Cafe.  But neither will I be moving in.

3) Don’t confine yourself to sessions from your friends and favorites.Have I mentioned how many great sessions there are?  It’s easy to just go to ‘safe’ sessions, presenters that you KNOW are great and that confirm your ideas/beliefs.  However, if you don’t take a few chances, you may miss out on some fantastic material.  Let’s face it, some of the best content in the world is presented by mediocre presenters.  Man up and get over it.  Just because someone doesn’t sing and dance doesn’t mean their content isn’t solid.  Pick a topic that you’re interested in and attend sessions on it regardless of whether you’ve heard of the presenter.  And if you don’t like their presentation style, try to see what you can learn IN SPITE of that.  Consider it a challenge, a hill to climb, the outer shell you need to work through to get to the fruit inside. If you want to be entertained, go to the Improv.  You’re at ISTE to learn.

4) Don’t be an end node. Most likely you have a blog, a FLIP cam, a Twitter account, a digital camera, Facebook, an iPad, a netbook, a Palm Pilot and a telegraph in your bag.  If you aren’t sharing at least a few things each day, then you’re doing the education community a major disservice.  I don’t care how many sessions you’re presenting, take the time to at least share a few highlights or thoughts from the day.  Even better, give a full report, share some notes, create a backchannel for a session and so on.  But if you can’t, no worries.  Do what you can.  Whatever you do, don’t just be a sponge that doesn’t give anything back.  Pay it forward for the people that can’t be there.

5) Don’t go to everything.  You can’t.  There’s just too much going on and only a few nights to do it all in.  Make some decisions, move forward and no regrets.  I don’t care which party/reception you go to, or none at all.  Whatever you do, make the most of it.  The reality is, there will be friends and favorites at EVERY event.  Don’t lament the people that aren’t there, enjoy the time with the people that ARE there.  On Tuesday night, there’s a Simple K12 reception, a TechSmith reception, an Edmodo Meetup and EdTech Karoake….  and they are all going on at basically the same time.  So which do you go to?  It doesn’t matter.  You’ll have a great time regardless.  Make your choice and don’t second guess.

For more tips, read our original post here.

        

 

Wireless #EdTech11: Uniting Business, Academic and Government Leaders to Discuss Mobile Learning

We are a little over a week away from what looks to be a major mobile learning conference: Wireless EdTech 11. PR Newswire released a great overview of what to expect at the conference next week October 20-21. From the article:

The 2011 Wireless Education Technology (Wireless EdTech) Conference advisory board and Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM), through its Wireless Reach™ initiative, today announced guest speakers for this year’s conference, including Julius Genachowski, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, and James Shelton, assistant deputy director for Innovation and Improvement for the U.S. Department of Education. James Fallows, national correspondent for The Atlantic, will conduct an on-stage interview with Chairman Genachowski to discuss the importance of broadband, digital literacy and how mobile technology can stimulate job creation and spur U.S. competitiveness.  James Shelton will highlight his vision for mobile learning and how it can help improve education in the United States.  Scheduled for October 20-21, 2011 at the Capital Hilton in Washington, D.C., the second annual conference is expected to draw an estimated 400 attendees and feature an international roster of more than 50 speakers and leaders in business, academia and government who will address the use of mobile learning for improving education.

For more info read the source here. 

        

 
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