Hardware and Software Tools to Support Student Learning

Application of Current and Emerging Technologies in the Classroom

Dr. Steve BroskoskeMisericordia University

Outline

• Wimba debriefing and backchannel communication.

• e-Book readers.• Smart pens.• M-Learning and smart phone applications.• Software tools to support student learning.• Virtual tools for learning.

Wimba Debriefing and Backchannel Communication

Wimba Debriefing

• What was your experience with the Wimba tool?

• What was the educational experience like?• Would you be interested in taking a course (or

part of a course) on Wimba?• How could you use this tool with your

students?

Backchannel

• Backchannel communication: Secondary electronic conversation that takes place at the same time as a conference session, lecture, or instructor-led learning activity.

• Might involve students using a chat tool or Twitter to discuss a lecture as it is occurring.

• Can be private communication OR audience-wide communication displayed as text on a screen for common participation.

Backchannel

• Backchannel conversations are beginning to be incorporated into presentations.

• Lecturers may encourage audience members to join in with questions or comments, sharing their feedback with one another without disrupting the speaker.

Backchannel and Education• Some institutions have built their own

backchannel tools.– Hotseat (Purdue University)

• Positive acceptance among students in early pilot studies, where 73 percent used the tool, often to ask questions about material that they didn’t feel comfortable asking about publicly in class.

– Live Question Tool (Harvard)• Allows audience members to ask, respond to, or vote on

questions while a real-time display shows the running commentary to all participants.

Live Question Tool

E-Book Readers

E-Book Readers

• E-book readers: High resolution, low-power devices that simulate printed text from a book.

• Most readers offer black-and-white resizable text presented on digital ink rather than an LCD screen.

• Store a large library of titles.• Allows annotations, highlighting text, and

“dog-ear” pages.

E-Book Readers

• Text is displayed using digital ink (or e-ink).

• Digital ink is a display technology designed to simulate printed paper.

• Offers similar resolution as newsprint.• Eliminates glare and reduces eyestrain

(compared to LCD).• Low power: digital ink uses power only

when the text changes.

E-Book Readers

• E-book readers:– Kindle (available through Amazon.com).– Nook (Barnes & Noble).– Sony Reader Digital Book

• Multiuse devices (designed with the e-reader market in mind):– eDGe e-book reader by enTourage.– iPad from Apple.

E-Book Comparison CNet Reviews

Kindle

Kindle• 6” screen• $189• 1,500 books

Kindle DX• 9.7” screen• $379• 3,500 books

Amazon.com

Kindle Features

• Long battery life.• Easy to view and read:

– Display simulates paper with digital ink.– Works in sunlight or with a reading lamp.– Make font large or small.– Automatic rotation of text.– Sync reading location with other devices.

• Read-to-me (text to speech).

Kindle Features

• Books:– Fast: Download books <1 minute on 3G cell

phone network (free Internet connection).– Easy: Purchase books on device with 1-touch

ordering (no PC needed).– Safe: 1-touch ordering means no typing in

credit card information.– Cheap: Low book prices (most less than $10).– Free books: Amazon’s Kindle store regularly

offers free books.

Special Kindle Features

• As you read:– Highlight text. (Can also download to PC.)

– Type notes. (Can also download to PC.)

– Use instant dictionary.– Search within a book.

• Extras:– Browse the Web and Wikipedia for free.– Read other files (PDF’s): Download from PC

OR e-mail to Kindle (small charge).

iPad

iPad at Apple.com

• iPad: Device that allows users to go online, and runs computer applications (apps).

• Looks like a large iPhone.• Has an easy-to-use, intuitive interface.

Purchasing an iPad

Consider: How will you get online? (Wi-fi, 3G, tethered to a PC.) How much is a data plan?

Popularity of e-Readers

• E-readers are increasingly used by students to download textbooks.

• According to a report from e-textbook provider CourseSmart, 2009 sales of textbook downloads rose 400% over the previous year.

E-readers and Education

• A number of institutions—including Princeton University, Reed College, Pace University, Case Western Reserve, and the University of Arizona—have conducted e-reader pilot programs to evaluate the viability of e-readers as a substitute or a complement to traditional printed course materials.

E-readers and Education

• In 2009, the Florida legislature asked Orange Grove, a state-supported digital library, to look into providing free downloads of digital texts to students of state colleges and universities.

• California legislature enacted a law requiring college textbooks to be available in electronic format by 2020.

E-readers and Education

• Highly customizable course materials:– Possibility of more flexible content

aggregation.– Prompt information updates.– Inclusion of articles not published through

traditional channels.– Lower costs of producing and distributing.

E-readers and Education

• Expected developments:– Pronunciation glossaries.– Animated flashcards.– Collaborative annotation.– Embedded videos.

E-readers and Education

• Tablet-style readers could signal a change in classroom interaction as an instructor, communicating with a classroom full of students equipped with e-readers, selects interactive maps, charts, and graphs from the web to illustrate lecture points.

EduCause

Smart Pens

Smart Pens• Smart Pens (also known as pentop computers)

help students:– Record, analyze, process material.– Use additional computing resources.

+

Smart Pens

• Learn to read.• Learn another language.• Prepare for tests.• Gain writing help.• Perform math calculations.• Gain assistance in various subjects.• Experiment with music creation.• Play music (MP3 player).

Pentop PC: Tag Reader

• LeapFrog Tag (Ages 4-8)• LeapFrog Tag Junior (Ages 2-4)

Tag Readerleapfrog.com/tag

Pentop PC: LiveScribe

LiveScribe.com

• Onboard camera stores what user writes/draws.

• Interprets and digitizes writing.

• Lecture (background sounds) digitally recorded.

Let’s Explore Fly Fusion

Digital Writing Pads

DigiMemo

Boogie Board

M-Learning and Smart Phone Applications

M-learning• M-Learning:

– Learner is not at a fixed, predetermined location.– Learner takes advantage of learning opportunities

offered by mobile (portable) technologies.• Technologies:

– Handheld computers, PDA’s, iPad.– MP3 players (iPods).– Notebook computers.– Mobile phones (esp. smart phones).

m-Learning.org

Emerging Categories of M-learning

a) Technology-driven mobile learning: Technology is being tested in academia to demonstrate technical feasibility and pedagogic possibility.

b) Miniature but portable e-learning: Mobile, wireless, and handheld technologies are used to re-enact approaches and solutions already used in conventional e-learning.

c) Connected classroom learning: Same technologies are used in classroom settings to support collaborative learning, perhaps connected to other classroom technologies such as interactive whiteboards.Ally, 2009

Emerging Categories of M-learning

d) Informal, personalized, situated mobile learning: Same technologies are enhanced with additional functionality, for example location awareness or video-capture, and deployed to deliver educational experiences that would otherwise be difficult or impossible.

e) Mobile training/ performance support: Technologies are used to improve the productivity and efficiency of mobile workers by delivering information and support just-in-time and in context for their immediate priorities. Ally, 2009

Emerging Categories of M-learning

f) Remote/rural/development mobile learning: Technologies are used to address environmental and infrastructural challenges to delivering and supporting education where conventional e-learning technologies would fail.

Ally, 2009Online Book

M-learning

• Possible uses of M-learning:– Students in fieldwork.– Medical personnel.– Science students in the field.– Any place where JIT (just-in-time) learning is

needed.– Any place where mobile learning should include

multimedia, interaction, and collaboration.

This is a technology to watch in the future.

Apple and m-Learning

• One expected tool for mobile learning is the smart phone. Many vendors are creating mobile apps to support education.

Apple

Apple’s Apps

M-learning and Education

• Phone apps, especially games, are a natural for teaching topics.

Public Health games

Software Tools toSupport Student Learning

1) 4Teacher Tools

• Funded Web site that provides free tools to K-12 teachers and students.

• Tools:– Teaching tools and resources.– Tools to help organize the classroom.– Assessment tools.– Tools to assist students.

http://4teachers.org/tools

4Teacher Tools

• Rubistar: Create a rubric.

• PBL Checklist: Create a project checklist.

• Teacher Tacklebox/TrackStar: Locate lesson plans, ideas, resources, technology aids, WebQuests.

• CasaNotes: Templates for notes to take home.

• Assign-A-Day: Assignments/projects on a calendar.

• Classroom Architect: Design classroom.

4Teacher Tools

• KidVid: Helps teachers and students learn how to create video production. Everything from how-to, scripting, storyboarding, filming, to evaluation.

• Web Poster Wizard: Have students easily create Web pages/posters as an assignment medium.

http://4teachers.org/tools

4Teacher Tools

Drill and Practice Tools:• QuizStar: Online quizzes, including multimedia.

• Academic Skill Builders: Math/language games.

Writing Tools:• PersuadeStar: Tools to write persuasive essays.

• Think Thank: Plan & organize a paper.

• NoteStar: Organize notes & citations.

2) Google Products and Tools

• In addition to being a search engine, Google provides a wealth of tools:– Google Docs.– G-mail.– Variety of search tools.– Variety of reference materials.

Google.com

3) Open Source Programs

• Open source programs: Computer programs offered for free to the public.

• “Open source” means the program code is open for editing by other programmers.

List at Wikipedia

OpenSourceWindows.org

Virtual Tools for Learning

Virtual Tools

• Virtual tools provide:– An opportunity for students to more concretely

experience material.– A way to bring the material to life (make it

understandable and relevant) for students.– A way to motivate and gain attention of

learners.– Hands-on experience.

Virtual Online Tools

Virtual Chemistry Lab Virtual Chemistry Experiments

Virtual Frog Dissection Virtual Frog Builder

Virtual Math Manipulatives Virtual Math Museum

Virtual Online Tools

Virtual History at Discovery.com

Virtual Globe Theater

Knowledge MattersAncient Egypt

Virtual Poetry Reading

Virtual Experiences List(Ace Online Schools)

Virtual Field Trips

• Virtual field trips are a powerful and efficient alternative to real field trips.

• Virtual experience can be a wide range:– Web page containing graphics.– Video.– Panoramic photo.– Simulation.

Advantages of Virtual Field Trips

• Integrate diverse types of data in instantly available ways.

• Present images from a variety of viewpoints and at many different scales.

• Display non-visual data.• Present trips to inaccessible areas.• Provide an alternative when time, expenses,

and/or logistics are real issues.• Enhance and expand students’ experience.(Qiu & Hubble, 2002)

Disadvantages of Virtual Field Trips

• Do not convey the true three-dimensional nature of objects.

• Do not convey the non-visual and aural feelings of touch, smell, etc.

• Less beneficial than really being in the field.• Lack the serendipitous nature of discovery.

(Qiu & Hubble, 2002)

Suggestions for a Successful VFT• Provide background information or a preparatory lesson before the

trip. • Preview the site ahead of time.

– Ensure everything works.– Ensure links are accurate and not broken.– Make sure there are no surprises!

• Plan some kind of activity for learners to complete as they take the tour.– Provide a treasure hunt.– Have learners gather information and pictures for a scrapbook.– Have learners create a postcard about their trip.

• Provide adequate supervision and guidance during the experience.(Keeler, 2009)

Exploring Virtual Experiences

• Let’s explore a virtual field trip/educational experience.– What is the educational value?– How can you incorporate these experiences in

your classroom?

Virtual Education Tours(Bob Bowman)

Virtual Field Trip List(Teacher Tap)

Assignments

• Choose one technology (not limited to those examined in class) to research. Post information about this technology on our Wiki.

• Remote activity: Synchronous online discussion [medium to be decided]. In the discussion, let's reflect on the concept of collaboration and how it relates to emerging technologies and the read/write Web revolution.

Next Week

• Looking to the future.• Wrap up.• Presentations.