Smart phones and other mobile devices improve learning

Below is an excellent article from eSchoolNews showing the value of using PDAs.
quote from article"Using smart phones and other mobile devices for learning isn't just a trend, but rather a sustainable approach to educational technology that can adapt to future assessments and help raise student test scores significantly" read article

Future trends - Portability and Cloud Computing

Future trends - Portability and Cloud Computing

Recent articles on technology indicate the move in the future is towards increased portability, wireless and cheaper devices to get onto the Internet (mini laptops and PDAs). Also there is a trend towards Cloud Computing (such as Google Apps) where application programs such as word processors and spreadsheets and documents are located on Internet servers - not on a computers hard drive. These trends not only improve learning but are a less expensive alternative to traditional computer workstations, hard wiring, software licencing and computer servers

"Cheaper laptops are part of the accelerating trend to greater portability. The cell phone is growing keyboards (or should they be called "thumb boards"?) and laptops are getting lighter and smaller. Meanwhile over-the-air Internet access is morphing from Wi-Fi to WiMax, as well as traveling over the same pathways as cell phones. These are the other components of cloud computing -- the wireless connections that define the cloud"
Read Article

The following article is about program that uses mini laptops in a school:
"The laptop program has always been well received," South Meadows Principal Lisa Nickel said. "Once the novelty wears off for the kids, it is seen as a great learning tool. It does not replace great teaching, but rather enhances it."
Read Article

Using Youtube to Teach Math (or anything)

When my son went to his formal he wanted to know how to tie a tie. Solution Youtube.

We have started to use youtube videos at my secondary school (some we produce ourselves) to help students learn everything from podcasting to math concepts.

The article below entitled "Need Help With Class? YouTube Videos Await" discusses how Youtube math tutorials can help students.

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2008/12/11/208825bctecyoutubetutoring_ap.html

Google Apps Education Edition - a free spreadsheet for students

I implement Google Apps Education Edition in my school.

One of the best things about Google Apps is it gives any student with a gmail account a free spreadsheet. I polled students in math classes and only about 1/3 has spreadsheet software at home. Teachers now can assign math homework that requires the use of a spreadsheet - because now all students will have access to a spreadsheet at home. The spreadsheet also is very good at graphing and is used in both math and geography classes. The Google Apps spreadsheet can both export and import Microsoft Excel files.

Math teachers do not need Google Apps Education Edition to be set up for their students to access Google Docs spreadsheets. Math teachers only have to ask their students to get a free gmail account (they automatically get a free spreadsheet as part of the gmail service).

More on Google Apps education edition

For students without high speed Internet - podcasts could be placed on memory sticks which could be signed out of the school library.

As far as communication we have started to use Google Apps (education edition) in our school.
Google Apps is free for schools and has no ads. It allows students and teachers to create documents(Word, Excel, PowerPoint), share calendars, email, chat, create web pages and more. It is secure as everything stays within the registered domain and cannot be accessed by people who do not have a school login. It is an excellent tool to provide elearning. It works on any computer including Macs.

"Frantic troubleshooting by an overworked staff versus someone else fixing problems smoothly. A sliver of server space per person versus a five-gigabyte chunk. Half a million dollars versus free"
Chronicle of Higher Education 1/11/2008

Many schools are registered. See video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYPjJK6LZdM

See what it is
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kJT3pagjd8s

See article
COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY PARTNERS WITH GOOGLE TO ENHANCE E-MAIL AND COLLABORATION SERVICES
http://newsinfo.colostate.edu/index.asp?url=news_item_display&news_item_id=979928202

Students opinion of Google Apps For Education

I installed Google Apps for Education in Feb. 2008. Here is what students think about it.

Videos about Youth Culture and Technology

Links

Some interesting videos on technology and youth culture.
Academia 2.0 video - Balanced video discussing how new technologies have changed students regarding learning.

A Vision of Students Today - Some interesting ideas - Even though some students do not seem to be able to tough it out - Life is a challenge.....

Did you know video - Great stats - A little over the top ....