Utilizing Technology Left In Our Lockers
There are many cases where classes have incorporated technology into the classroom. We have discussed ITC literacy and the use of technology that students already have to further their school experience. However, how do you utilize the ipods and smart phones in your classroom?
Knowledge Quest Inc. is “a leading provider of online educational resources and curricula for the home schooling market.”[1] Knowledge Quest recently launched a website, www.apps-school.com, directed at home schooled kids to support them in identifying and using the best mobile technology applications for schoolwork. The website makes it simpler to find the best applications for school by providing a list of links to the top learning applications. Some of the notable applications are Mathboard, QuickReader, and iHome Educator. Website users can browse by subject, such as math, science and language arts, by company, or by price. The prices of applications range from free to $4.99. However, most of the applications are free.
One of the catch phrases from the Knowledge Quest press release was: “faster than installing software on a computer, and there is no mouse, no cords, and no heavy books to lug around. Quality learning can be accessed from one handy little device so this is truly education on the go."
There are educators who will push to use the technology we already have in the classroom. The expensive equipment that goes unutilized, as it sits in a student’s locker or purse, could prove useful if you’re willing to accept the responsibility that comes with bringing them into your classroom. Applications like those found on this website may allow for educational resources to be downloaded onto a student’s iphone or blackberry but as the teacher you need to ensure that your students are able to ethically use this technology in a classroom setting. What they do with it out of the classroom is up to them and their parents but when you invite the ipads, pods, and phones into your room you need to keep students engaged with the intention you had for these devices. The responsibility of having to monitor handheld devices with small screens makes it more difficult than just scanning the room or peeking over a shoulder or two. Looming over a student trying to get a glimpse to gage if a student is really on task is not only awkward but time consuming. When gauging the usefulness of apps to assist we need to also gage if our class is responsible enough for the task.
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[2] "TheresAnAppForThatHeader 9 to 5 Mac TheresAnAppForThatHeader Apple Intelligence ." 9 to 5 Mac Apple Intelligence . N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Feb. 2011.
Just checked out that website. Interesting idea. Part of what intrigues me is how there is always another entrepeneur who wants to capitalize on the marketplace of anything -- education, the classroom, the home school classroom. Is there anything for the solitary learner? I bet there is... It would truly be amazing if stuff was free. However, we were introduced to a lot of intresting apps and web sites last week, and I have
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