Educational Technologies Blog

              Investigating mobile learning technologies and software applications     was an exciting task and I enjoyed it tremendously.

          All the options I found have unlimited potential, endless possibilities and will enhance adult learning for years to come. Walker (2006) rationalizes: “it has been widely recognized that mobile learning is not just about the use of portable devices but also about learning across contexts”. This is essential because adult learners are able to facilitate their own learning in many ways at every content level.

http://www.Brainshark.com         http://www.SlideShark.com

   

             These sites work in tandem to transform the printed page onto dynamic, mobile ready content that can be easily accessed quickly, and viewed as on demand video presentations anytime, anywhere. There are new capabilities for users of these sites to share and track online versions of their presentations that can be viewed on computers, tablets and smartphones.

              I selected this technology for its easy accessibility to be used in conjunction with all types of video presentations. It is an ideal tool to use with PowerPoint presentations whether online or any mobile device.

              I would utilize this form of mobile technology to introduce new content, present required articles, novels and the graphic illustrations of the novels, articles, and readings.

                The adult learners will have a special project to interpret the novel the class will read together and illustrate it using this technology including visuals, graphics, and other creative mediums of their choice.

http://www.xtractor.se/services/m-learning-mobile-learning.

                 This technology allows learners to consume large amounts of information and create their personalized form of mobile learning. It affords adult learners to write, create, and decide where and when to perform in meaningful learning activities. They are not forced to participate and the ridicule of others.  “In an ideal m-learning situation, the learners do not stay in a fixed location learning alone or together. They review, choose, participate, and access information they need immediately when they have questions or ideas, regardless of where they are located.” (Koszalka & Ntloedibe-Kuswani, 2010, p.142).

                I want to incorporate this technology in my class environment simply because I can easily create content conducive for mobile learning: it can be assessed from a tablet or smartphone: enables quick learning: fosters efficient learning and it is used with videos, podcasts, iPhones, iPads and Smartphones. “Today, students can display mastery in countless ways that involve the creation of digital content”. (Richardson, 2010).

                The first example of incorporating this technology would be assigning the first week of school the adult learners would create their personal presentation concerning their lives. It would be used instead of the formal class presentations. I envision the adult learners getting to know each other on a more personal level and forge long lasting friendships outside the class environment as well. Second, the adult learners would be assigned to interview a person in their chosen vocation and present their findings to the class in ant format they select. “M-learning tools can therefore become partners in the learning process by providing access to information or people that

         can help learners develop understanding at any time, in any place:. (Hannum & McCombs, 2008: Jonassen, 1998).

           Mobile technologies are the “new” realities in education. All of us must learn to implement these mobile technologies to redesign the face of education to reach into the future.

 

References

Hannum, W., & McCombs, B. (2008). Enhancing distance learning for today’s youth with learner-centered principles. Education Technology, 48(3), 11-20. Retrieved from http://asianvu.com/bookstoread/etp/

Koszalka, T. A., & Ntloedibe-Kuswani, G. S. (2010). Literature on the safe

        and disruptive learning potential of mobile technologies.  Distance Education, 31(2), 139-157.

Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

   

Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for

      classrooms (3^rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Walker, K. (2006). Introduction: Mapping the landscape of mobile learning. In M. Sharples (Ed.), Big issues in mobile learning: Report of a workshop by the kaleidoscope network of excellence mobile learning initiative. University of Nottingham.

        

              

                        Educational Technologies Blog

          As a result of my investigating social networking technologies I selected Scriblink---http://www.scriblink.com/ first. This is different from other whiteboards in that it is online which becomes a virtual classroom or site for a group project. It is a social network within itself. Working on a group project can be conducted outside of the confines of the class environment when the members are in various locations. The one common thread is they are online collaborating, creating and resolving issues together. Siemens (2005) said: “meaning-making and forming connections between specialized communities are important activities”.

            A rationale for the selection of this technology is the convenience and accessibility for adult learners. The adult learners of today are busy and are making sacrifices at each level in their lives to acquire an education. It is my responsibility to integrate to facilitate their learning. “New technology forces the 21^st century learner to process and apply information in a very different way and at a very different pace from any other time in history”. (Davis, Edmunds and Kelly-Bateman, 2008).

             A second way I would incorporate this technology is as a form of introduction/meet and greet. The learners would get to know each other online as well as in the class environment. The reason is that at times the initial class setting is timid and the learners are hesitant about open up to everyone. This online chat and collaborative session can allow everyone to really learn about each other. “Over the last twenty years, technology has reorganized how we live, how we communicate, and how we learn”. (Siemens, 2005).

               The second social networking technology I selected was You-Tube-YouTube.com.    This site is excellent because it reaches every learner type. I wanted to encompass each aspect of their learning. I would incorporate YouTube with Narrative Storytelling. The learners would create/write their stories and post it o YouTube to share with other members of the class environment. This would encompass the auditory, visual kinesthetic and special need learner. This project would focus on Writing, Listening and enhancing creativity.

I wish to improve their writing and speaking skills together. Allowing the learners to write on topics of their choosing and creating videos also creates a sense of accomplishment and is self-gratifying. “New technologies make it easy to produce digital voice and voice files. Students can now easily “write” in many different media, a fact that opens up all sorts of possibilities for the classroom”. (Richardson, 2010, p.11).

             

              I enjoy exploring the emerging technologies in adult education because in striving to enhance and enrich the capabilities of my adult learners I am enriching and enhancing my skills also.

References

Davis, C., Edmunds, E., & Kelly-Bateman, V. (2008). Connectivism. In M. Orey (Ed.). Emerging perspectives on learning, teaching, and technology. Retrieved from http://projects.coe.uga.edu/epltt/index.php?title=Connectivism.

Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (3^rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

Siemens, G. (2005). Connectivism: A learning theory for the digital age. International Journal of Instructional Technology & Distance Learning, (2)1. Retrieved from http://www.itdl.org/Journal/Jan 05/article01.htm.

       

      

   

Emerging Technologies Blog Week 2 Assignment 1: Educational Technologies Blog

The URL’s I have selected are: http://www.slidenet and http://www.neamb.com


I selected Interactive Whiteboards initially because they provide unlimited amounts of learner involvement. Everyone is involved and the learners are able to work through critical thinking skill activities, create vocabulary games or become as creative as possible, Whiteboards are simple and easy to use in the class environment. Richardson (2010) states: “The sudden explosion in online content creation could not occur if technological barriers to entry were high, and these barriers will continue to come down as the tools themselves continue to evolve. Simple and easy is brilliant for me at this time in my educational pursuit.


I would use whiteboards to present content such as vocabulary development. The learner would use the concepts to fill in the blanks, respond to open-end questions, complete a word search, word scramble, word jumble, and puzzle or write a short story using the designated concepts. According to Teich (2009): “Research has repeatedly demonstrated that students learn better when they are fully engaged and multisensory hands on learning are the best way to engage them. Interactive Whiteboards facilitate multisensory learning whether it is a collaborative exercise for math problem solving or a Google Earth tour of the Amazon rainforest.


The E-Portfolio allows adult learners immediate accessibility to their most prized possess-their work. It gives them opportunities for reflection-to see how far they have progressed and what else must be accomplished. It is an excellent tool to teach organizational skills and time management also. They can be viewed as an instrument of assessment and a visual showcase of excellence and their accomplishments. E-Portfolios are instrumental in reducing the amount of paper, storing files and maintenance for the educator. With the use of technology everything is at our fingertips immediately. “In general, e-portfolios are helping students become critical thinkers and aiding in the development of their writing and multimedia communication skills. E-Portfolios can help students learn information and technology literacy skills and how to use digital media. They can help students learn information and technology literacy skills and how to use digital media”. (Cambridge, 2005).


References



Cambridge, B. L., Personal Communication, February, 2005.


From http:www.net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eli3001.pdf.


Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis, podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.


Teich, Anne (200(. Interactive Whiteboards Enhance Classroom Instruction and Learning. Retrieved from http://www.neamb.com.