Peer Power Research and Development
Learning Log - 1
Fall 2017
Week-1
Dear All
Welcome to our scholarly discussion in a new intuitive format. From now it is MANDATORY for all peer power leaders to make one comment and one reply in the discussion board. Your comment is due on every Sunday by 11.57PM.
For the trustworthiness of the resources, we will be using both peer-reviewed journal articles and popular journal articles.
In your discussion, you will be addressing following questions-
1. What do these mobile devices really add, though? Is there more to this tech trend than just grabbing the attention of students? Is mobile technology boosting classroom instruction, or is it all just a flashy way to accomplish the same things as analog instruction?
2. As a PP leader, how you would like to address the use of educational device/ mobile device in the classroom?
3. Please bring some example of your classroom practice using educational device/ mobile device that helps your students. You might use pictures and videos as an attachment in the post and comment.
Read this Popular Journal Article to make your argument stronger: https://theconversation.com/do-mobile-devices-in-the-classroom-really-improve-learning-outcomes-38740
See attached is the peer-reviewed journal article(This might give you hard time but I will recommend reading this paper as well).
Thanks
Mahbubul Hasan
Matthew Carney-
ReplyDeleteThere are a number of issues with using tech in the classroom. However, none of these are impossible to overcome. To me, the biggest issue is how to get technological devices into the classroom to begin with. If the school adopts a BYOD policy, then it is unreasonable to assume that they will have any real control over how that device is being used throughout the day. Even as adults, people are reluctant to allow someone the authority to control their own device. Secondly, as that article mentions, there is an issue with some students being "more privileged than others." Since we work, for the most part, with students from lower income families, it would be unwise to assume all students have mobile devices available for school during the day and in the evening, as some students may share a phone with siblings/parents or not have one at all. Therefore, the only real way to combat these types of issues would be to have the devices supplied by the school systems. This would create grounds for the control over content available on the device and insure that each student has a device available to them.
If these problems are remedied, then the benefits would be great. Not only would we see more involvement from students, but the available resources for learning would increase. The list of available apps, programs and media resources is nearly endless. And as the article stated, all of those resources can be updated with real time information and data. This creates more accurate content knowledge and presents more current/relevant content. Also, engagement would rise with students. I've seen first hand how students respond when technology based learning is introduced into the classroom. Even if it only is being used by the teacher. Such as using the camera on the phone to scan answers that the kids hold up on their personalized answer cards. Then the scores are projected onto a screen. In a video game culture like ours, there are great benefits to structuring learning in a competitive way using technology.
While on a surface level, the cost could seem to be rather high. However, when you take into account the amount of money that goes into maintaining up to date textbooks, providing classroom supplies such a s pens, paper and pencils and also the life expectancy of digital devices, the cost over the long term could actually decrease. All, it should not be ignored that we live in a technology based society, so the ability to effectively use digital devices and technology is becoming more of a required skill as time moves on.
Overall, just giving kids IPads and telling them to go learn will not see any real results. But with proper planning and management, the rewards from classroom-based digital technology could be great.
I agree about the "more privileged than others" issue that would arise from BYOD, as well as the potential for theft. I don't think it is a good idea.
DeleteThanks Matt for your detail discussion!
DeleteYes, our schools are not allowing mobile device in classroom, and there are many reasons for that. Also, this is an ongoing debate on how we should incorporate a learning device in classroom. Because our teachers do not have professional training regarding the use of new type technology in classroom. This is not an issue for the Memphis only; it has been an issue in other states as well. We might need to learn sometimes from the other cities of the U.S. or from a different culture where they get positive outcomes using mobile phone in classroom.
I think you will enjoy this article on managing phone use in class!
https://www.edutopia.org/article/3-tips-managing-phone-use-class
Thanks
Hasan
David Webb
ReplyDeleteI believe that as long as the technology is directed at the "simple things that technology does extremely and uniquely well", such as being able to aggregate data and update information nearly instantaneously. Then it can be useful.
The issues of technology as distraction, and technology as crutch, arise when there is little or no control over the the devices being used, as well as being used for the wrong purpose. A graphing calculator is great for reducing the time it takes to graph and do complex equations, but it shouldn't be used as a replacement for understanding basic math.
Thanks David!
ReplyDeleteYes, all we are saying using M-learning in classroom as a supplementary tool, not altering basic learning strategy. So that learner can go beyond the classroom wall and learn by their own pace. M-learning is also part of 360-degree learning approach.
Chris Xa
ReplyDeleteThis artical does a great job shedding light on aggregate level discussions about technology in the classroom. With that being said, I'm excited to see how this field of study develops as more research, experimental designs, and natural analysis take place.
On a learning note, how does a person/organization reap the benefits of technology in the classroom while minimizing the errors or residuals. For example, consider the exponential enrollment in online classes over the past 10 years. Studies from University of Chicago has proven that on an aggregate level, across the US, enrollment in more online classes has declined various measures of human capital, or knowledge. While this study particularly focuses on high school and college students, I believe the same principles applies for adolescents and younger school-agers. This study related because online classes treat technology as direct substitute for interpersonal teaching.
It has also been proven that technology hinders social-cognitive ablilities. We as a society know that the most important aspect of child development are cognitive skills. So the question poses, how do we minimize these negative residuals? This field has a lot questions to explore.
HI Chris,
DeleteThank you!
Regarding your point on technology hinders social-cognitive abilities, I would say this issue is more critical when a learning technology is being designed poorly and/or not following the technological pedagogical framework.
You might find this UCLA article more interesting:
http://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/is-technology-producing-a-decline-79127
Thanks
Hasan
"As far back as 2010, reports were surfacing that mobile apps are not only engaging, but educational, for children as young as preschool."
ReplyDeleteThis statement alone gives reasoning and rationale for working out all kinks associated with the use of technology in classrooms. There are social issues and hurdles associated with most things. Peer Power must continue to jump over hurdles to get results. We do well with eradicating class barriers when we create environments.
With that being said, as the solution oriented person that I am, I would like to see Hasan lead us in identifying an area where we can aggressively incorporate technology. Is a Math class the best place to implement this plan? Or maybe cooperation from Ms. Meriwether would allow us to get results.
As far as budget, lets see what partners we could obtain.
Hi Cortney,
DeleteThank you!
I see your positivism in the discussion. Yes, I was thinking to do a dry run of incorporating M-learning (Mobile Learning) model primarily in a math classroom for this semester. I will post update on this in next meeting.
Thanks
Hasan