Two Mobile Learning Technologies That Have The Potential to Enhance Adult Education

The U.S Dept. of Education's National Technology plan (NET) published November 2010 notes that "technology is at the core of our daily lives and work, and calls for "leveraging" it to provide engaging and powerful learning experiences and content" ( Allen, 2011). The popularity of mobile devices being utilized as learning tools in adult education, only means educators are conforming to meeting 21st century learners at the crossroad of learning engagement and making sense of their learning.
Two mobile technologies that can be utilized in adult education for great learning outcomes are the smartphone and the ipad.

Smartphones including "Droids, iphones, have GPS, texting, voice, and multimedia capabilities. These small computers motivate students, provide access to a wealth of knowledge, tools and experts on the web" ( Allen, 2011). Just yesterday evening I heard the following on TV: "Smartphones are like tutors who bring learning to life" ( ABC Channel 7, New York). I looked up and was lost, only to snap back to reality and realize that this was a commercial for Smartphones by SPRINT. Smartphones may be used in adult education to create teaching episodes such as creating videos, record, take pictures of learning situations for later review, learning games and video conferencing. Communication students may utilize the Smartphone to record street interviews and other events. For further information on the use of Smartphones in education the following website may help: http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/melbourne08/procs//herrington-a.pdf.
For the latest smartphone gadgets any of the current phone companies have great selections on their web sites from which to choose.

Another mobile device is the i-pad. It's now changing everything in the classroom. Apps may be purchased that allow students to engage interactively. These educational apps teach everything from science to sign language. Utilizing FaceTime is also possible on the ipad. Teachers and students are also able to put together professional looking documents and spreadsheets. presentations may also be created with stunning animation and effects. The following website may be utilized for more information:
http://www.apple.com/au/education/ipad/.

References

Allen, R. (2011). Can mobile devices transform education? Retrieved July 23, 2013 from
<http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/education-update>

Apple in Education (n.d.): The device that changed everything is now changing the classroom. Retrieved July 26, 2013 from http://www.apple.com/au/education/ipad.

Herrington, A. ( 2008). Adult educator's use of smartphones to create digital teaching resources. Retrieved July 25, 2013 from http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/melbourne08/procs/herrington-a.pdf.







 

Using social network technology to enhance adult learning

Within the last ten years institutions such as colleges and universities reached their student body via e-mail. However, within the last few years it has been found that many of these e-mails sit in their in boxes without being read. This is because students are communicating more via social networking sites such as Facebook, twitter and others sites. Therefore, promoting campus events, keeping students informed, and alert has taken on a new dimension in terms of communicating via social networking.

in order to facilitate and engage students participation, administration, faculty and staff are finding ways to keep up with the tech savviness of students and reaching them via social network. I recommend the use of a social networking site called ConnectYard. This site may be utilized to reach students in terms of planning events, keeping them informed, student activities current events, the latest news and more importantly alerts in terms of weather, school closings and otherwise. As an adult educator, student groups may be able to communicate via ConnectYard when planning meetings, progress reports and reviewing work. This may be done on the ConnectYard site via "text messaging, picture and video
messaging" (Hagen, 2013).
For a free trial of  ConnectYard for SharePoint Online, visit the Microsoft Office 365 store at
http://tinyurl.com/cy365app.

Another social networking site that educators may use to enhance and reinforce a lesson is Twitter.
I recently watched a demo of a prospective adjunct professor teaching the five paragraph essay. she focused on Writing a proper thesis statement utilizing three points. Her culminating activity was for students to tweet their thesis statements to her. How cool, innovative, and sensible. I am sure that if that's utilized in our basic writing classes, excuses would be non-existent. Accessing and setting up an account may be done through http://www.twitter.com.

Hagen, B. ( 2013). A faster more effective way to communicate with students using sharepoint online and connectyard.  Retrieved, July 15, 2013 from http://blogs.technet.com/b/educloud/archive/2013.

Applications and multimedia resources that have the potential to enhance adult education

Applications and multimedia resources that have the potential to enhance adult education.

 

BEST EDUCATIONAL APPS

 

 #1 Kahn Academy URL: www.khanacademy.org

 

 App Description  In my research, I have found that Khan Academy allows you to learn almost anything for free. It is a "high profile non-profit online tutoring library created by Salman A. Khan" (Sparks, 2011). It doesn't matter if you are a student, teacher, home-schooler, principal, adult returning to the classroom after 20 years, Khan Academy's materials and resources are available to you completely free of charge. Examples of how you would incorporate the Khan academy into your professional practice-        The Kahn Academy video can be used as a credible resource for research papers. In addition it can be used with multimedia resources as it allows the user to upload clips which can be added to powerpoint presentations, interactive blogging and student progress tracking. There is also a "free Khan Academy app for ipad which delivers more than 2, 700 videos to the viewer covering a range of topics including math, science and humanities" (Saltzman, USA Today, 2012). 2)

Kahn academy is also an excellent resource for adults with learning disabilities and ESL issues. Video are presented with subtitles and they are interactive in design. This application allows students to learn at a comfortable pace and scroll back and forth through the videos, creating the opportunity to increase comprehension.

 Kahn academy allows the professor to create tutorial videos which are interactive and can be used across a variety of subjects. I find that this would be very helpful for Developmental English writing classes. I could upload videos of me teaching the five paragraph essay outline with examples.

Kahn Academy also has a platform which will provide interactive testing for the student to use as a study tool.  As an instructor, Kahn Academy allows you to track your students’ progression in real time. This technology gives the student and instructor a one on one interaction outside the classroom. I have found as a professor that the use of video is an effective learning tool as it engages the student while allowing them to work at their own pace. It is portable and easy to use. I have also found that learning tools which are interactive increase the ability for the adult learner to absorb and assimilate knowledge. The quiz counter is an excellent way to test knowledge and measure progress.

 #2- REVISION APP

 URL: http://revisionapp.co.uk/

Description Revision App is The Ultimate Revision Tool & Flash Card App. With over 1 million flash cards & Revision Notes covering GCSE, A-Level, University and College subjects & many more. Revision App allows you to share revision notes with other people, and even email yourself revision notes.• • Over 5 million revision notes/flash cards - from College and University to GCSE, • • Group revision - Share flash cards with you friends or study group using Revision App• • Quiz yourself using Revision App - Create your own flash cards with Revision App• • Track Your Progress - Check your score and see how well you are improving Revision App• • Create text answers, record audio answers or even film video answers all using Revision App• • Import flash cards from your desktop with Revision App• • Revise maths, science, French and many more educational subjects with Revision App.

 Examples of how you would incorporate the Revision app into your professional practice-Revision app can be used as a study guide and tools to prepare students for examinations and status of progress. The great aspect to this application is that it can be tailored to the student’s level and course. Revision cards can be used on the go thus eliminating the use of some textbooks which is where many colleges and university are moving towards in this world of educational technology. There are many multimedia uses for revision app as it can be uploaded to a you-tube presentation, group study sessions via skype and as an interactive in classroom group quiz via smart room technology. Revision App allows you to do group revision and send flash cards to other students who have Revision App.

.This is also a great tool for students who are presenting informative and persuasive speeches. It helps in their preparation.

References

 Saltzman, M. (2012). Khan Academy: free education in app form. USA Today.

 Sparks, S.D.(2011). Schools 'Flip' for Lesson Model promoted by Khan Academy. (Cover story).

           

 

emerging technology to enhance adult education

Hello colleagues and Professor Metros,

I have accessed a recent book review from my college library. The book is titled, Emerging technology in distance education. The authors are G. Veletsianos. there is open access free download from
http://www.aupress.ca/index.php/books/120177.

Yvette