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Thursday, November 1, 2012

Using Cell Phones and Other Devices In and Out of the Classroom



edWeb Community:      www.edWeb.net/mobilelead
webinar location:          www.instantpresenter.com/edwebnet3

PresentersScott Newcomb, 5th Grade Teacher, and Kyle Menchhofer, Technology Coordinator, at St. Marys Intermediate School in Ohio 

Time:  Thursday, November 8, 2012- 4pm / Eastern Time

Session Description
St. Marys City Schools is the longest running mobile learning program in the country.  Join us on November 8th for our community's next webinar to see how smartphones (mobile learning devices) were successfully integrated into the curriculum at St. Mary's schools.  Fifth grade teacher Scott Newcomb and Technology Coordinator Kyle Menchhofer will discuss many of the challenges that they faced in incorporating mobile learning devices within their daily instruction over the past five years, including a BYOD rollout the past two years.  They will share many examples of how the students are using these devices inside and outside the classroom setting.  They will also recommend many resources and websites to help you in your own mobile learning efforts.  Join Scott and Kyle on November 8th to learn how you can successfully implement mobile learning devices within your classroom setting.

Speaker Details:
Scott Newcomb, @SNewco, has been within the teaching profession for 11 years.  He currently works with fifth-graders at St. Marys Intermediate School in Ohio, where he also has helped with professional-development training for staff members on mobile learning. Scott helped organize and participated in the first Mobile Learning Technology Conference in Ohio.  He has conducted mobile learning webinars for Classroom 2.0 Live, EdTech Talk, and the Reform Symposium.

Kyle Menchhofer, @KMench, has been a Technology Coordinator for over 15 years.  He has over 25 years of experience in education.  Kyle helped to implement the Mobile Learning Project in St. Marys City Schools in 2008.  He also helped organize the first Mobile Learning Technology Conference in Ohio in Mary of 2009.  Kyle holds a BS degree from the Ohio State University in Business Education & Data Processing and a Master's Degree from Findlay University in Educational Technology.

To Participate:  Go to www.instantpresenter.com/edwebnet3 on the date of the live event. This webinar will be archived for on-demand viewing as well.

This program is sponsored by AT&T and Rosetta Stone.
It is co-hosted by edWeb.net and the Consortium for School Networking.

Links:


Wednesday, September 5, 2012

50 Shades of Mobile


Smart phones (MLDs)

iPads

Blogs

BYOD/BYOT

Videos



Friday, August 17, 2012

Making a Case for Mobile Learning

Guest Post for SmartBlogs on Education

Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of teaching in a forward-thinking school district that has embraced the use of mobile learning devices in the classroom. Mobile learning has become the new buzzword in many educational communities. Mobile learning is essentially anytime, anywhere learning. This type of learning could be with a netbook, iPad, iPod touch or even a smartphone. My friend Elliot Soloway, a professor at the University of Michigan has said, “Within five years, every K-12 student in America will be using a mobile handheld device as a part of learning.” I feel that in some fashion this will come to pass.

This coming year, our mobile learning initiative will consist of an iPad lab for K-2 students, iPads for special needs students, and smartphones for all students in grades 3 -5. Also, BYOD — bring your own device — will be implemented for all students in grades 6-12.
While teaching with mobile learning devices the last few years, I have made many positive observations. I have been pleasantly surprised at the responsibility and ownership that the students have taken in regards to their mobile learning devices. This was a major concern when introducing smartphones into the classroom. It must be pointed out that I work with 9- and 10-year-olds. I have never had any devices stolen or broken. The students take ownership of their work and creations. They are more willing to share their work with others. Another positive that I have observed is that unmotivated students have become motivated. Through the use of mobile learning devices we are reaching all learning styles. Students are constantly engaged and excited about learning.
From a teacher’s standpoint, I have come to the realization that I do not have to be the center of learning. I can be the guide on the side, so to speak. This allows the students to take more of an active role in their learning. They are the drivers of their learning, while the teacher takes more of a passenger role to allow the students to explore and connect to their learning. It is also a great sight to see when students are able to operate and maneuver their way through the many workings of their mobile learning devices. Whenever a student finds a shortcut or helpful hint in using their smartphone, I make sure to have the student share this information with the class. This once again allows the students to take the lead when it comes to their learning. The classroom teachers will need to learn to be accepting of the fact that the students may know more about the devices than the teachers themselves. This is difficult for some teachers, however once they learn to let go of the typical teacher/student roles, they will watch in wonder as the students progress in their learning!
My hope is that more school districts will realize how valuable mobile learning devices can be in the classroom. Many of these tools the students already have in their pockets. We must come to a realization that students are learning in different ways than they may have in the past. Their education is progressing with the evolving technology. To learn more about using mobile learning devices in the classroom visit The Mobile Native.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Remind101 - A Safe Message System for Teachers




As a student at Michigan State University, Brett Kopf struggled with dyslexia and ADD.  Likely during a class in which he should have been paying attention, his mind wandered to a potential solution for his resulting disorganization - if there was a service that could send him a text message every time he had an assignment due, test, or schedule related announcement, his status as a student could dramatically improve. At that moment, Remind101 was born, or at least the concept. It wasn’t until Brett shared his idea with his brother David that the product came to be.

Now co-founders of one of the leading companies in mobile education, the Kopf brothers have found how truly impactful their product can be in the lives of educators. 

Remind101 is a free, safe messaging service for teachers to communicate with students and parents via text or email. Teachers sign up for an account, create classes or groups, gather subscribers, and start messaging. All without ever sharing their personal cell phone number, or collecting phone numbers from their students or parents.

How?

When you create your first class on remind101 you will be issued 2 key elements - an anonymous phone number from which your messages will arrive, and a class code with which your students / parents will subscribe. Text the code to the phone number, and you’re in. It’s that easy.


 

Teachers are now using the service for all sorts of reminders from, “Don’t forget to bring $20 and your signed field trip form tomorrow,” to “Biology test Fri. Study chapter 9 extra hard!” to “I’m so proud of how hard you’ve all been working! Keep it up,” the uses are endless.






Today, over 200,000 teachers, students, and parents use Remind101 to deliver millions of messages per month.




It’s an amazing journey to see what a simple reminder can do. Learn more on their website:  https://www.remind101.com/ 



Wednesday, June 6, 2012

BYOD in the 21st Century

Here is a must watch video about "Bring Your On Device".
Published by Marc-Andre Lalande @malalande



Friday, April 20, 2012

Saturday, January 7, 2012

BYOD "Food for Thought"

Here are some Pros and Cons for "Bring Your Own Device" in schools.  Let the debate begin!


               1)  BYOD - Worst Idea of the 21st Century

               2)  BYOD: You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet
        
               3)  BYOD will challenge your leadership - hopefully!

               4)  BYOD Wildly Successful at Sullivan South

               5)  Cybraryman's BYOD Page

               6)  Pros and Cons of Bring Your Own Device to Work

                                  
                                    What are your thoughts?