Title: Visions of Mobile Learning: Educators Conjure Up the Mobile Device They Believe Change the Future of Education
Abstract: [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Editor's note: It's been just a couple of years since the first mobile device hit the market. Yet, it is already a foregone conclusion that it will become an indispensable tool for learning in the future. That's why T.H.E. Journal asked a number of educators to let their imaginations go wild and conjure up visions of the future of the mobile device in the classroom. Next month, students share their unique visions of the ideal mobile learning app. THE DEVICE WILL FIT IN A POCKET and have multiple inputs to cover any need. It will bear Swiss army knife functionality and have connectivity that works 24/7/365 anywhere, so that it facilitates ease of search and output. It will have very long battery life, be safe for the environment and the end user, and will be so intuitive it will require little to no training. It will be used for everything, including learning. It will be affordable and paid for by each individual with the option to upgrade as needed, when needed, and will be virtually indestructible. SALLY BAIR Consultant, Hegins, PA Future mobile devices will be interactive with a three-dimensional touchscreen that projects the screen into the air in front of the user for manipulation. These devices will run on a cloud with applications and data stored entirely there. Small in size, measuring only 6 inches by 10 inches and approximately 1 inch thick, these devices will have both WiFi and 4G access, with inherent 16 MB per month included with purchase. One USB port will be included, as well as a headphone jack, HDMI, VGA, and speaker as side features. STEVE RYAN Instructional technology coordinator, social studies teacher Butler School District 53 Oak Brook, IL The Ubique mobile device is credit card-sized, waterproof, shock-resistant, and indestructible, with long battery life and solar power capability. It will operate all programs, regardless of operating system, and will connect to the internet anywhere on Earth via providers working under a global service umbrella. Service providers and product manufacturers will provide the device and service free to students and educational institutions in exchange for tax benefits and concessions. In addition to operating standard learning programs, Ubique will monitor physical health status and warn users of potential health issues through various input capabilities, such as blood pressure, blood, and diet. RHONDA LEDUC Graduate student University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL It will have to be durable, rugged, and portable with about a 5- to 7-inch screen, forward and backward cameras, flash memory, and AV in/out with adapters for various display systems. Keyboards will be optional for ADA compliance, but voice recognition applications like Dragon Go will be the primary source of data input. Students will become more skilled in oral speaking skills as an indirect result of using voice-recognition software. WiFi connections will be funded through grants and discounted rates by major carriers. DENNIS IMOTO Educator Hawaii Technology Academy Waipahu, HI I imagine a tablet-sized device that will be easily manageable and functional, but with a double screen, as if it were a notebook. The screens will also function as solar cells to charge the battery. It should be compatible with every platform for functionality, and it must support any application (no compatibility issues). Students can use the device on or off campus. It will connect through the internet, Bluetooth or 3G. Students will pay a technology or lease fee. INPUTS: touchscreen, built-in camera, built-in microphone, USB port, SIM card reader OUTPUTS: USB, speakers, video and audio outputs GABRIELA CABRERA Elementary coordinator Thomas Jefferson Institute Mexico City [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] MANY YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, I envision a device that isn't mobile per se, but located in every classroom. …
Publication Year: 2011
Publication Date: 2011-10-01
Language: en
Type: article
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