Week 7-Mobile Learning

This week was all about mobile learning. Mobile learning in this sense is bringing such devices as iPods, and iPads into the classroom. I can see great possibilities with using iPads and iPods in the classroom, as well as great downfalls if not used properly.

Many children today own, or have had experience with either or both of these devices. They are a great way to get students engaged with their learning. Sometimes it can be hard to find applications that are ready to use in the classroom, but many can be very useful with a little bit of thinking. The challenge is that most applications that are geared towards learning are in game format, which aren't usually that useful in the classroom.

This week in class our task was to find a way to use one type of mobile learning in a lesson. We had to create a lesson that incorporated the use of an application on an iPad or iPod. My group found an application that has the text of the entire U.S. Constitution. Our idea is to split a class into groups, and give each group a portion of the Constitution to translate into their own words. We realize that the text of the Constitution could easily be found online and printed off, or viewed on a computer, but giving it to students in this format may feel more relevant to them, and can be more easily accessed.

As with every technology there is the danger of letting the iPods, or iPads, take over the role of the teacher, and that is something that it is always important to avoid. They have their place in the classroom, but there should be definite lines between when technology is used, and when the teacher is the source of new information.