Mobile Devices In Schools

1. Mobile Devices In Schools Shannon Bailey ITEC 7445 Dr. Moore Emerging Technology

2. Mobile Devices • What are mobile devices? • Portable handheld technologies that can be used anywhere • Examples: • cell phones • media players • tablets • gaming platforms

3. How Does This Technology Support the Vision for Technology Use in our School/District? Vision: The Vision of FCBOE’s Technology Services is for: • Technologies to be integral to teaching, learning, and leading this district • Teachers who are informed, fearless users of modern technologies • Students who have access to technology when and where they learn

4. How Does This Technology Support the Vision for Technology Use in our School/District? Addressing the vision: • Utilizing small powerful tools such as mobile devices can motivate students to learn, while also giving students access to web resources , outside experts, and tools. (ascd.org) • Teachers can integrate mobile devices in their lesson plans in many ways; using and allowing students to use the most current technologies in their classrooms • Mobile devices can be used anywhere, especially with the BYOT network

5. Objectives • To promote various forms of communication and collaboration • To provide students with connections to outside experts beyond the classroom • To promote high-order thinking • To attain the highest LoTi level • To prepare students for a 21st century global society

6. Key Benefits • Promotes learning anytime and any place • Prepares students for 21st century success by provide opportunities to interact and improve social skills. • Allow for lesson differentiation • Provides a unique learning experience • More affordable

7. Target Population • Mobile devices can be used at all levels K-12 • At Sandy Creek High School we service grades 9th-12th • Most students come from homes higher on the socioeconomic ladder, and have access to mobile devices • Ideally we would like all students to provide there own equipment to have a 1:1 ratio of technology to students. • Currently, computer labs are available throughout the school to ensure all students have access to web resources if unable to provide their own equipment.

8. Equipment and Software • A “Bring Your Own Technology” (BYOT) network is needed in order to take advantage of most of the mobile device benefits • Currently, Sandy Creek High School has a network up and running, so no installation is required • Mobile devices with Wi-Fi capabilities(smartphones, iPads, tablets, etc) are needed. • Student provided • Or provided by the school when funding allows. • Free apps can be downloaded to support learning

9. Technical Support • Fayette County Schools have technology specialist who maintain BYOT networks, and provide technical support to teachers, staff, and administrators. • Student can receive technical support from their service providers, or the manufactures of the devices. • Teachers can provide support to students who struggle to operate apps

10. Limitations • Potential classroom management issues exists • Students may get off task and use their technology for reasons outside of the lesson. (Texting, games, etc) • Teachers have to monitor the students closely in order to prevent students from using their devices for leisure • Teachers may not be aware of the various education Apps that are available • Professional development can keep teachers informed of value resources and best practices

11. Limitations Continued • Updates • Many devices and Apps require updates that need to be downloaded in order to run efficiently • Some device updates can require a long duration of time to download and install • Compatibility issues • Some Apps are only available on certain operating systems or platforms • The App may be available on iPhone, but not Android • Some devices may be older and incompatible with newer apps

12. Cost of Technology • Mobile devices are cheaper and more plentiful than laptops or desktop workstations • Many students have their own mobile devices that they can utilize on the BYOT network, so the cost to effectively leverage mobile devices in schools are minimal. • Tablets can be purchased, and checked out from the media center • 15 Google Nexus 7’s will cost $2,999.85 • These devices are available to students who do not own a device, and promote equitable access. • These are current devices, and www.pcmag.com rates the Nexus 4 ½ out of 5 stars

13. Potential Funding Sources • Teachers and administrators can seek grants as a potential funding source to purchase tablets, or other mobile devices. • ESPLOST funds can be used to upgrade existing technologies, and support the BYOT network • Donorschoose.org • The school can seek funds from the sports booster clubs • (Sandy Creek High School has notable alumni who have made donations in the past, and are potentially a source of future funds)

14. How Can Teachers Use This Technology? • Teachers can teach content standards in the same ways as with traditional lessons. • Example: Students can use mobile devices as graphing calculators (Graphing calculator apps) to meet math content standard requirements. • Example: Students can use the web to find reliable online resources. (Health content standard) • Mobile Devices can help to supplement the lessons • “Mobile Devices motivate students; provide constant access to the wealth of knowledge, tools, and experts on the web” (Allen, 2011). • Mobile devices can be used to collect data, record lessons, conduct interviews, produce a podcast, assess students (text answers to quiz questions, like using Polleverywhere.com), look up information on the internet, & consult with other students.

15. How Can Teachers Use This Technology? (Continued) • When students use their mobile devices to solve real world problems it makes the experience more authentic and meaningful • Mobile devices can also help students meet the national technology standards. • Example: Students can use mobile devices to gather, evaluate, and use information.

16. How Do Mobile Devices Promote Specific Learning Goals? • Teachers can create lessons where students have to take on the role of a professional, which makes the learning experience authentic and meaningful. • Students can research for a resolution to their problems using their mobile devices, and collaborate using Google Docs. (Inquiry, higher-order thinking, writing process, collaborative) • Additionally, students can record and edit video from their devices, and upload onto their Edmodo. (listening and speaking) • Mobile devices are a great way to engage students, and promote specific learning goals in various ways.

17. Differentiation • Mobile Devices allow for differentiation because they provide multiple ways to learn a concept. • Student 1 can use a mobile device to look up the process on how to solve a linear equation • Student 2 can use their device to practice solving an equation using a app. • Student 3 can play a math game to learn the concepts. • Student 4 can use their device to access Khan Academy, and watch the steps of solving a linear equation. • If managed correctly, the possibilities with mobile devices in the classrooms are endless.

18. How can Mobile Devices Promote Communication? • Mobile devices are excellent for promoting communication and collaboration • Google Docs can be used to communicate and collaborate when working on group projects. • Video conferencing and instant messenger apps can be used to communicate with outside experts, group members, community members, and other students from across the globe. • Devices can be used to access education social media applications like Edmodo • Students can create blogs, and access teacher blogs.

19. Evaluation of Research • “Overall, the research suggests that using handheld devices can considerably enhance student learning (Tech in schools).” • With research available that supports leveraging mobile devices in the classroom, teachers should make a consistent effort to utilize technology in their classrooms • “Positive results suggest that it is possible to achieve significant learning benefits using handheld devices when the technology implementation is combined with sound pedagogy and educator training and support” (Lemke, Coughlin, & Reifsneider, 2009). • Simply allowing students to use their mobile devices in schools is not effective teaching. • Teachers have to be trained to effectively implement mobile devices into their lesson planning.

20. Evaluation of Research Continued • A survey in 2009 shows 70% of schools around the country banned cell phone use during the school day (Schachter, 2009). • Currently many school districts are implementing BYOT networks and allowing students to use mobile devices in the classroom • This sudden change in philosophy shows that educators are beginning to recognize the benefits of utilizing mobile devices, and also solidifies mobile devices as an emerging technology in 21st century education.

21. Evaluation of Research Continued • Teachers and administrators who use mobile devices at home or in the classroom agree that mobile devices should be used for 21st century learning (Allen, 2011). • Students who used mobile devices as part of a pilot project reported an increase in communication with their teachers and peers and scored higher than the state average on their mathematics End-of-Course-Tests. They also reported higher engagement in their mathematics courses, and some chose to take higher level mathematics courses (Allen, 2011).

22. Implementation Plan • Teachers will be required to attend a series of professional development trainings • These meetings will insure that implementing mobile devices into daily lessons are seamless and effective • Teachers will be trained on various apps and devices • Teachers will be trained on effective classroom management when incorporating mobile devices • Teachers will be trained on how mobile devices can promote high-order thinking • Teachers will be trained on how mobile devices can be used to differentiate lessons, promote communication, and collaboration.

23. Implementation Continued • District wide policies will be in place to monitor student access • Filters will be in place to prevent students from accessing negative, non-educational content. • Students will be required to register their devices prior to using the BYOT network

24. Implementation Continued • Kotter’s 8-Step Change model (Mobile Devices) • Step 1: • A sense of urgency has to be present to initiate change • Demonstrating the effectiveness of mobile devices in other educational settings can create the urgency needed to get teachers and administrators thinking about leveraging mobile devices • Step 2: • Creating a technology team to promote and educate teachers on mobile devices

25. Implementation Continued • Step 3: • Create a shared technology plan/vision for the school • Step 4: • Distribute the plan/vision throughout the school to ensure all teachers and staff are aware of the technology initiative • Step 5: • Include all stakeholders in the decision making process to limit the potential saboteurs. • Step 6: • Create easily attainable goals early on to boost moral, and recognize teachers that are implementing mobile devices.

26. Implementation Continued • Step 7: • Build on the successes of the technology plan. • Continue professional developments and develop technology leaders • Step 8: • Integrate technology, including mobile devices, into most lesson plans. • Focus not only on content standards, but also the national technology standards

27. Reflection • I began my project by doing a search on Google for “emerging educational technology.” I went through several of the links that came up, and ultimately settled on mobile devices for my emerging technology project. During my search I learned that there are several technologies that are on rise in education. As an educator, and future instructional technologist, it is my responsibility to stay current on the emerging educational technologies. • I can say this project has impacted my professional practice. • With the emergence of mobile devices, educators have the opportunity to leverage technology in ways that are both cost effective, and beneficial to students. I found interesting ways that teachers are using mobile devices to achieve student learning, and I will use these best practices in my instruction moving forward.

28. Works Cited Allen, R. (2011, February). Can mobile devices transform education? Education Update, 53(2), 6-7. Retrieved from http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/ education-update/ Lemke, C., Coughlin, E., & Reifsneider, D. (2009). Technology in schools: What the research says: An update. Culver City, CA: Commissioned by Cisco. Schachter, R. (2009). Mobile devices in the classroom. District Administration, 45(10), 31-34. Retrieved from http://www.districtadministration.com/article/mobil e-devices-classroom