Wednesday, January 9, 2013 —
There has been an upsurge in interest in the past couple of years across the education sector in mobile learning, or the use of small, portable devices to facilitate anytime, anywhere, “un-tethered” learning. How do kids use these devices? According to a 2011 study by Project Tomorrow, high school students said they use their mobile device at school:
To check grades (74 percent);
To take notes in class (59 percent);
To use the calendar (50 percent);
To access online text books (44per cent);
To send an e-mail (44 percent); and
To learn about school activities (40 percent).
Wireless capabilities allow students to do Internet research anytime, anywhere and without having to be tied to the school network or the physical space of school. Students can collaborate with peers, teachers and even subject content experts on schoolwork using instant messaging or text messaging.
Technology also is empowering teachers to do creative things they never would have been able to do in years past. Digitally connected classrooms and interactive curriculums not only appeal to teachers and parents, they have the potential to transform and dramatically improve the learning experience for today’s digitally savvy students.
Technology also plays a part in leveling the learning field for students. Children have varying abilities and strengths. They learn in different ways, at different speeds and at different times. Some students learn easily by reading, some by listening and watching and some by hands-on experience. Teachers can use technology to help all children realize their potential by giving them equal access to content.
For example, students who struggle with reading and are intimidated by long passages benefit from a program that offers read-aloud support: they can listen to the text while they read it, then answer comprehension questions.
An interactive reading program lets kids listen to a definition from an online encyclopedia, for instance, rather than try to make sense of the printed words.
Students who prefer to listen and watch are learning from audio and video programs on desktop computers, laptops, iPods, netbooks and other devices. Through podcasting, teachers can create audio files and post them to the Internet for students to download to a personal computer or handheld device (such as an iPod) and listen to or watch at any time — at their desk, on field trips, in the library or at home. Teachers may use podcasting as an alternative to student-produced newspapers and television shows or for students’ oral presentations of reports and assignments.
Here at Sylvan, we are embracing many of these tools to make student learning and communicating with parents more engaging, accessible and effective, both in the center and on the internet.
Marianne Bright is the Center director/owner at Sylvan Learning-Albe-marle. Sylvan is the leading national provider of tutoring to students of all ages, grades and skill levels.
Opinion & Letters to the Editor
Related Photos
Discussion
Mobile devices provide for ‘anytime’ learning
- Opinion & Letters to the Editor
-
-
We are Uniquely Made
Earlier this week the seniors at our school had one final hurdle to jump before graduation. They had to present their senior projects before panels of community members. Each room had four adults: the moderator and the three judges. You can be sure the students were quite nervous, but they usually do a great job. If they have practiced and prepared then they should experience success.
-
Ronald McDonald House of benefit to us all
On Tuesday, Stanly County Managers Association members heard a presentation concerning the Ronald McDonald House in Charlotte.
-
Celebrating small businesses and continuing new ways of communicating
Some stories are worth mentioning again.
-
Editorial: Seizure of AP phone records insult to independent press
This amounts to spying on an American news organization -- common practice in dictatorships but scary conduct in a democratic system that prizes the public value of an independent watchdog press.
-
Google shuts down SMS search, angers people who had forgotten it existed
Instead of texting back search results, Google responds with a short message noting that the service "has been shutdown" (sic) and that you can continue to search the Web by visiting google.com (duh).
-
Walking by Faith
Last week I wrote about waiting on the Lord. I really needed to hear from the Lord, but all I was receiving was “wait.” I really don’t like to wait, but it is important to give God the opportunity to work things out before we proceed. After we wait on God, the next thing we are going to be asked to do is to walk by faith. That means that God is only going to reveal one step at a time, which is almost as much fun as “wait.”
-
Jettie Parker
Jettie Frick Parker, 89, of Albemarle died at 2 a.m. Friday, May 3, 2013, in Trinity Place, Albemarle.
-
Always Learning
I am teaching a class this semester that I haven’t taught in over a dozen years. Although I have taught it before, it still has a feeling of being new. The curriculum has been updated, and I must spend a good bit of time reviewing and preparing for the lesson each day. It doesn’t surprise me that often that I will come across something I didn’t know. The other day I made a big fuss about learning something new. The kids had a good time with that; their teacher learned something new.
-
West of Memphis: My Favorite Documentary Gets a New Partner
I saw “Paradise Lost: The Child Murders of Robin Hood Hills” when it played in theaters in 1996. At some point during the viewing, it became my favorite documentary. A position it has held for nearly 20 years. I own a copy of it, along with the two sequels “(Paradise Lost 2: Revelations” and “Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory).” Many know part of the story told in the films; it is a story that everyone should witness.
-
Childhood bullying linked to adult psychological disorders
A significant study from Duke provides the best evidence we’ve had thus far that bullying in childhood is linked to a higher risk of psychological disorders in adulthood. The results came as a surprise to the research team.
- More Opinion & Letters to the Editor Headlines
-
