Lecture 13: Online Live Classroom - Interactive Whiteboard and Mobile Learning....

I am now able to sign into the Online Live Classroom Lectures without any difficulties and I enjoy using this technology as a learning tool now that I feel comfortable navigating around the screen.

Jenni started the lecture by asking whether everyone had completed their online peer reviews and the result came back indicating that 91% of us have completed 2 peer reviews.

Screen capture of completed peer review results.

Interactive WhiteBoards:

The lecture then focused on Interactive Whiteboards, (IWB), and Jenni made a great point that the culture of teaching needs to be changed before digital devices are added. Teachers need to adapt to 21st Century learning and use technology to actively involve students.

"CENTRE LEARNING AROUND THE LEARNER"

Jenni then talked about the different brands of Interactive Whiteboards that are available, (Smartboards, Teamboard, Electroboard etc...), and directed us to LMS where there are various links that explian how to set up and use an IWB. Jenni also advised us that Scootle has great IWB resources that will probably come in useful when it is time for us to go on practical work experiences at schools. Another interesting point Jenni made was that it is possible to set up lesson plans for an IWB on a laptop so that you are organised and ready to teach before you attend the school. It was interesting to note that 41% of the lecture group have used an IWB at some stage.

For the IWB to be used for their purpose, (to provide interaction), Jenni suggested that as a tecaher you should get the students involved by getting them to use the technology instead of you. A good example would be to have a roster where the students calibrate the IWB on a daily basis. It is important to put the learning into the students's hands - let them be the teacher.

iPads (mobile devices):

The next part of the lecture addressed the use of iPads and mobile devices and a quick poll was taken to see how many people in the lecture group owned or had access to an iPad or Android Tablet. The results are below...

Results from the above poll.

Jenni explained that iPads are becoming a popular mobile device that are being used within a teaching environment and it is important, (as a teacher), to take advantage of this learning tool by using it not only for teaching with apps but for real world relevance like out in the field for taking photos or recording, (use them for the purpose that they have been designed for - mobile learning). The Technology Toolbox for Educators wiki has a link to a great website that demonstrates how iPads bring "A Change In Teaching Style." 

It was also suggested in this lecture that in a few years time there will be a shift in the mobile phone policy at schools and they will become learning tools for students. Again the Technology Toolbox for Educators wiki has a link to an interesting website that gives "10 Reasons Cell Phones Should Be Allowed In Schools."

Jenni then discussed the characteristics of mobile learning as listed below:

• Explore - Provide time for exploration of mobile technologies.
• Blended - Blend with non mobile technologies e.g., claymation and iMovie.
• Whenever - Use mobile learning spontaneously.
• Wherever - Non traditional learning spaces e.g., a museum.
• Whomsoever - Use mobile learning both individually and collaboratively.
• Personalise - Employ the learner's own mobile devices, iPads, smartphones, ipods.
• Affordances - Do not use like a PC, use device to its best advantage e.g., ipods-digital stories, iPads-show me tutorial, presentations, drawings etc...
• Mediation - Use mobile learning to mediate knowledge construction.
• Produse - Use mobile learning to produce and consume knowledge, (like the tasks completed within this unit).

It was also clarified that as a teacher it is important to ask questions about the learning environments that you create in order to encourage motivation and deeper meaning.

I particularly enjoyed this lecture because it was so relevant to the 21st Century teaching and learning pedagogy within schools. At the school I work at, (as an Education Assistant), Primary School students have been issued with iPads and Middle School and High School students have been issued with MacBook Airs making the learning environment collaborative, engaging, fun, spontaneous and social. At the beginning of this school year I was issued with an iPad, (instead of a laptop), and at first I admit I was apprehensive about its suitability within my job role, however, I have been pleasantly surprised. The iPad has proven to be a fantastic mobile device with which I can use to spontaneously take photos, make recordings, use fantastic apps when I work with students that require extra support, check my emails, use the net for research and much more...

From studying this unit, (EDN113 Living and Learning with Technology), I truly understand how today's learning is definitely at the fingertips of our students!