Teaching with Mobile Technology

Marshall KitchensAaron BirdOakland University

OU Faculty Learning Community on Mobile

TechnologyMember DepartmentAaron Bird Occupational Safety and

HealthCornelia Pokrzywa Writing and RhetoricDeb Blair Music EducationShannan McNair Human DevelopmentShaun Moore E-LearningMarshall Kitchens Writing and Rhetoric

FLC ChargeThis faculty learning community is designed to explore the potential for mobile technologies (iPads in particular) in college learning environments. This learning community has a three-fold purpose: To explore the possibilities of integrating iOS-based new media

into the college classroom by reviewing both trade materials and academic research on iPads in education;

To explore practical possibilities for mobile technology in education by surveying instructor use of iPads to enhance engagement with students -- both in the classroom and for mobile office-work that utilizes space around campus;

To share findings with each other as a working group in brown bag sessions and with the larger community in a Fall symposium.

Resources

Rationale

Early studies have suggested that institutions should begin by piloting the iPad in a strategic and tested way by beginning with a small group of enthused instructors willing to explore the use of the technology in their own classrooms across a variety of disciplines.

WRT iPad Working Group2011-2012 Academic Year20 iPads 2.0 and 5 iPads 1.025 Participants consisting of Special Lecturers,

Special Instructors, and Assistant Professors in the Department of Writing and Rhetoric

March 2012 Survey1. What is the current condition of your iPad?2. How often have you used the iPad for exploration of the potential of mobile

technology? 3. How often have you used the iPad for student conferencing?4. How often have you used the iPad for responding to student work?5. How often have you used the iPad for classroom record keeping?6. How often have you used the iPad for responding to classroom projects?7. How often have you handed the iPad to students for classroom use?8. What might make the iPad preferable to a laptop for an instructor?9. What might make the iPad preferable to a laptop for students?10. What might make the iPad useful as a digital tool in general?11. What other mobile technologies have you used in the classroom? 12. What articles or resources have you found helpful? 13. How would you use the iPad for instructional purposes in the future?14. How would you use an iPad cart for instructional purposes in the future?

Current ConditionMint 16 70%iOS will not update 1 4%Scratched screen 1 4%Cosmetic scratches 5 22%Other 1 4%

Personal Exploration Regularly (Daily or multiple times a week) 18 78%

Often (once a week on average) 4 17%

Seldom (Once or twice a month) 1 4%

Never (Less often than once per month) 0 0%

Other 0 0%

Student Conferencing Regularly (Daily or multiple times a week) 5 22%

Often (once or twice a week on average) 6 26%

Seldom (Once or twice a month) 5 22%

Never (Less often than once per month) 7 30%

Other 0 0%

Responding to Student Work

Regularly (Daily or multiple times a week) 9 39%

Often (Once a week on average) 4 17%

Seldom (Once or twice a month) 9 39%

Never (Less often than once per month) 1 4%

Other 0 0%

Class Management Regularly (Daily or multiple times a week) 15 65% Often (Once a week on average) 4 17% Seldom (Once or twice a month) 4 17% Never (Less often than once per month) 0 0% Other 0 0%

Responding to Class Activities Regularly (Daily or multiple times a week) 6 26% Often (Once a week on average) 7 30% Seldom (Once or twice a month) 5 22% Never (Less often than once per month) 5 22% Other 0 0%

Student Use Regularly (Daily or multiple times a week) 3 13%

Often (Once a week on average) 10 43%

Seldom (Once or twice a month) 4 17%

Never (Less often than once per month) 5 22%

Other 1 4%

What uses or apps have you discovered

for the iPad that might make it preferable to a

laptop for an instructor?

What uses or apps have you discovered for the iPad that might make it preferable to a

laptop for an instructor?None I would want a separate keyboard to use it in lieu of

a laptop. I do like the ability to work with it just about

anywhere, but I feel limited by the inability to find a good word processing program.

Note taking apps have been very helpful. I bring it to class rather than the laptop because it's

more portable, easier to handle in the classroom.

What uses or apps have you discovered for the iPad that might make it preferable to a

laptop for an instructor? Portability- it is very easy to pass around the class. It's great

for collaborative work, signing up for conferences, accessing wikis, etc

Its portability allows me to more conveniently interact through email with students while I am away from home/office computers, and the smaller size/storage handiness is preferable.

The small size of the laptop is especially useful when trying to sit in a student desk in South Foundation Hall. I put my classroom into a circle always when in SFH, and to do this, I sit at one of the desks with the students. My laptop is too big, but the Ipad is "just right" and doesn't have a screen in the way when I'm leading discussions. I really like it a lot.

What uses or apps have you discovered for the iPad that might make it preferable to a

laptop for an instructor? I still bring my laptop to class occasionally but less and less.

The iPad is lighter, and allows instructors to do almost anything they need to do, particularly version 2 which includes the camera (I've shot video lectures using it).

Anything that uses the internet is better on the ipad because of ease of navigation, instant on and visibility. The moodle app is perfect for quick reference of student grades.

Sketch book mobile is great for student conferencing and the mapping of research concepts. In several instances i have placed the ipad on the classroom projector to show the class what i have found on any of the apps---NBC news, Huffington Post , Library of Congress.

What uses or apps have you discovered for the iPad that might make it preferable to a

laptop for an instructor?The iPad is easier to sync, update, and manage. We

can easily send instructors to the Genius bar for tech help. For those who want it and want to learn, it's a better option than a laptop.

I have effectively used AirSketch for its mobile whiteboard capabilities. This app has also allowed students to actively participate in generating whiteboard text as I circulate the room and interact with them.

I have found iMovie and Sketchbook pro to be useful for student visual composition.

What uses or apps have you discovered

for the iPad that might make it preferable to a laptop for students?

What strengths do mobile technologies – handhelds and tablets – have over inexpensive

laptops or netbooks?  MobilityStability/durabilityBattery lifeSpeedConnectivityRelative ease of useEase of exchange (physical and electronic)Integrated camera for photo and video useIntegrated audio recorderType text capabilityHandwriting/drawing capability.Integrated multi-media apps