Mobile in the Classroom: Trends, Resources and How

Mobile in the Classroom
Trends, Resources and How To’s
Mobile learning in the classroom
Mobile learning is a growing trend in classrooms. This trend is creating a more flexible, collaborative, and interactive
learning experience in schools and districts, and according to a report released by Simba Information, over 75%
of districts are using mobile technology for educational purposes. Mobile devices are changing the way educators
teach and students process the content.
But, what does it all mean?
What types of initiatives are spurring digital trends in schools, and how can educators incorporate
mobile learning into their curriculum?
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Mobile trends
Parents, students, and educators are seeing more and more mobile devices like tablets, and smartphones
in schools, districts, and individual classrooms. According to a recent report by EdNET Insight, 82.2% of
districts surveyed said they would consider implementing laptop computers, 68.7% said they would consider
implementing tablets, and 56.7% said they would consider implementing iPod® or iPod touch® to deliver digital
instructional materials.
The following mobile implementations are the most commonly employed in schools currently:
Learning apps
Educators can download content-specific learning apps. According to App Store Metrics, the iTunes®
App StoreSM currently has over 90,000 education apps.
Online courseware
Schools and districts can implement a fully online solution, or they can take a blended approach in which educators
use a combination of online and face-to-face instruction.
1:1 initiatives
Schools provide every student and teacher with a laptop or tablet device from which they can access lessons,
homework, and practice activities. Holcomb (TechTrends, 2009) notes that the most effective 1:1 initiatives
are those in which students have their own devices with “continuous, direct interaction with the laptops.”
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device)
Students can choose their own learning style and bring their personal technologies into the classroom.
eBooks
eBooks provide educators with a digital alternative to textbooks and book sets.
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How to get started with mobile
Mobile devices have become an assumed part of the education equation. Tablets, smartphones
and other mobile devices are transitioning from pilot programs to implementation phases in
individual classrooms and even entire schools. Challenges remain at several levels – from cost to
Internet bandwidth to best practices – but students are eager to use these devices, and schools
know they must respond to the changing reality. Schools want to keep up with students and
other schools, but more importantly, they see the potential for how mobile devices and learning
solutions can enhance instruction. They see the potential for how mobile devices and learning
solutions can enhance instruction.
These 5 tips will help you get a mobile program up and running.
Clearly define when, how, and why mobile devices are being implemented.
Invest in protective cases and tag each mobile device with student names
to reduce the number of potential accidents and loss. Additionally,
establish a replacement plan for when items get lost or damaged.
Establish a clearly defined Responsible/Acceptable Use Policy and make sure
it is readily accessible to students and staff.
Provide adequate teacher preparation resources and professional
development sessions before and after launch.
Practice using devices in group settings first to ensure students and
teachers are familiar with the technology and can effectively use it.
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Questions to ask yourself before
implementing a digital strategy
Schools need to think about mobile devices from a number of viewpoints. Putting devices
in students’ hands for entire school days and allowing them to bring the devices home, for
example, opens up schools to a wide variety of potential risks. Here is just a sampling of the
questions they need to ask:
•What do we do with the devices
once we have them?
•How should we change our
curriculum or lesson planning?
•Do we allow student Internet access?
•Do we have the bandwidth to
support the technology?
•What software do we use?
•What kind of insurance plan will we
have for the devices?
•How do we incorporate them into
our classrooms?
•What policies do we need to update
and/or create?
•Will this change which textbooks
we’re using or how we’re using them?
•What restrictions will be put in place?
•What types of classroom activities
should we use?
•Will the students be allowed to bring
the devices home?
•What features will be disabled on
the devices?
•What kind of monitoring or tracking
solutions do we need?
•What type of maintenance plan do
we purchase for the devices?
•Will students and parents sign an
agreement?
•Will students be allowed to use
their own devices?
Implementation
•How do we manage classrooms in
which every student has a device?
Infrastructure
Security
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10 FREE resources for educators
StudyBoost™
(studyboost.com)
Apple® in Education
Students can study via
SMS-based quizzes.
(apple.com/education/apps/)
Download free and priced
learning apps directly from
Apple’s education library.
iEducation Apps Review
(iear.org)
This site features reviews
of education apps.
Edmodo
(Edmodo.com)
Edmodo helps educators
create a network with
students, other educators,
and parents. Teachers can
connect with students, give
polls, award badges, and
track student progress.
Dropbox™
(dropbox.com)
Educators and
students can easily
upload and share
large files.
Digital
resources for
educators
Google in Education
(google.com/edu/)
Find classroom tools,
professional development
resources, and student
resources.
Celly™
(cel.ly)
Celly provides a vehicle
for group messaging,
polling, reminders, and
joining networks.
Remind101™
(remind101.com)
Teachers can send
text-message and
email updates to
students.
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Poll Everywhere™
Dictionary.com
Online dictionary
(polleverywhere.com)
Teachers can poll students
via cell phones.
Redefining the 21st century classroom
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References
App Store Metrics.
Retrieved from http://148apps.biz/app-store-metrics/.
Best Mobile Sites for Education. December 27, 2010. MangoMon.
Retrieved from http://www.mangomon.com/best-mobile-sites-for-education/.
Daccord, T. September 27, 2012. 5 critical mistakes schools make with iPads (And how to correct them). Edudemic. Retrieved
from http://edudemic.com/2012/09/5-critical-mistakes-schools-ipads-and-correct-them/.
Gemin, B., Murin, A., Rapp, C., Vashaw, L., & Watson, J. 2012. Keeping pace with K-12 online & blended learning:
An annual review of policy and practice. Evergreen Education Group.
Holcomb, L.B. 2009. Results & lessons learned from 1:1 laptop initiatives: A collective review. TechTrends. Volume 53, Number
6. Retrieved from http://gs121.wiki.elanco.net/file/view/Results+and+Lessons+Learned+from+1-2-1.pdf.
Insight report: BYOT:
How personal technology is transforming the classroom. July 2012. EdNET Insight.
Levinson, M. August 29, 2012. Best practices for deploying iPads in schools. Mind Shift.
Retrieved from http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2012/08/best-practices-for-deploying-ipads-in-schools/#more-23534.
Levinson, M. July 2, 2012. 14 smart tips for using iPads in class. Mind Shift.
Retrieved from http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/2012/07/14-smart-tips-for-using-ipads-in-class/.
Mobile devices and the Common Core:
Effectively choosing the right classroom technology to meet new learning standards. Center for Digital Education.
Robledo, S.J. 2012. Mobile devices for learning: What you need to know. Edutopia.
Oda, S., Resnick, R.M., & Sanislo, G. 2012. The complete K-12 report®: Market facts & segment analyses 2012. Education
Market Research. Simba Information.
Zwang, J. January 7, 2011. 10 of the best apps for education. eSchool News.
Retrieved from http://www.eschoolnews.com/2011/01/07/10-of-the-best-apps-for-education/11/.
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