Mobile Learning On The Interwebs

Beginning with the SmartBrief on EdTech.

Ala. bill would bring tablets, digital texts to high-school classrooms
Alabama lawmakers are poised to consider new legislation that would have all high-school students in the state using digital textbooks and electronic tablets. Independent of the proposed “Alabama Ahead Act,” many teachers say they already are incorporating digital tools into lessons, using iPad2 tablet computers for classroom projects and allowing students to download digital textbooks to their home computers. The Daily Home (Talladega, Ala.) (1/15)

5 apps for students with learning disabilities
Blogger Charlie Osbourne lists several iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch applications designed for students with learning difficulties. Among them, Eye contact Zoo by FizzBrain is a game that encourages children with autism and Asperger’s syndrome to focus in on a person’s eyes, and ArtikPix by RinnApps encompasses activities and games that use flashcards to improve articulation among children with speech delays. ZDNet/iGeneration blog (1/16)

Opinion: How tablet computers can improve education
Mashable (1/16)

Apple may unveil textbooks made for iPads on Thursday
Apple is expected on Thursday to take a step closer to fulfilling co-founder Steve Jobs’ vision of displacing classroom books with tablets. The company will likely introduce textbooks for its iPad tablets, along with publisher partnerships and technology aimed at enabling the tablet user to interact with the content. The Wall Street Journal (1/17)

Kno adds new features to digital textbooks ahead of Apple announcement
Tech company Kno, which produces digital textbooks, has added a number of new features ahead of Apple’s expected move Thursday to join the digital-textbook industry. Kno Flashcards allows users to create virtual flashcards out of any key terms in its textbooks, while Kno Me is designed to help students track and improve their study habits. TechCrunch (1/17)

Apple releases app for viewing textbooks on the iPad
Apple officials today announced the release of iBooks 2, the latest version of the company’s e-book software for the iPad tablet computer that includes new features designed for viewing textbooks. To provide access to the textbooks, Apple is creating a new section on its iTunes store, with a selection of titles available for $15 or less. The company also introduced iBooks Author, a free app that offers a set of interactive tools for creating e-books, and released the iTunes U app for iPad, which allows educators to create and teach online courses using the popular tablet computer. TechCrunch (1/19), T.H.E. Journal (1/19), NPR.org/The Associated Press (1/19)

Study: Growing number of educational apps target young children
The collection of iPhone and iPad educational applications aimed at young children is growing rapidly, now making up more than 75% of all educational apps available on iTunes, according to a new study by the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at the Sesame Workshop. In addition, almost 60% of children’s apps target toddlers and preschoolers, while 14% of apps were designed to be used in the classroom, the study found. The Hechinger Report/Digital blog (1/18)

How to create engaging lessons using mobile technology
School Technology Director Anthony Luscre suggests in a blog that educators capitalize on students’ engagement with mobile devices as communication tools to provide more dynamic and interactive learning opportunities. Luscre debunks common concerns about using the devices for lessons, suggesting that teachers utilize the many websites that are not commonly blocked by school filters and recognize texting and tweeting as modern-day vehicles for student writing. T.H.E. Journal (1/20)

Next, the ASCD Worldwide Edition SmartBrief.

Montreal, Quebec, students with autism use donated iPad devices
In Montreal, Quebec, a donation of iPads will benefit students with autism at several schools. Educators say the devices benefit students academically and socially as they use the iPads to play games or watch videos. “What has worked for us is that he has gained independence,” said Audrey Burt, whose son has autism. “This is a little boy who could not sit for five minutes; now he can. He can go for a good 20 minutes.” The Gazette (Montreal) (tiered subscription model) (16 Jan.)

Back to the regular Google News alert for mobile learning.

BenchPrep: Pioneering Mobile and Interactive Learning
Planet Insane
This is where BenchPrep works by licensing textbooks from huge publishers such as McGraw Hill and converting them into mobile learning and interactive online courses. Recently, BenchPrep announced that it is expanding beyond its test prep for college …
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Ron Paul: 2012 witnessing the rise of a guru to the downwardly mobile
Toronto Star
A Ron Paul supporter folds his arms during a veterans rally at the Knapp Learning Center on the State Fair Grounds in Des Moines, Iowa, Dec. 28, 2011. By Mitch Potter Washington Bureau WASHINGTON—Radical. Dangerous. Crazy. …
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Make Learning Mobile With Float
AgWired
In this week’s program we’re going to use the M word, as in Mobile, as in Float Mobile Learning. I just had a conversation with Chad Udell, Managing Director, about mobile learning technology and what that means for today’s agribusiness customers. …
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Virtualized Desktops Deliver Mobile Learning
Baseline
At TJSL, we support mobile learning initiatives, enabling students, faculty and staff to remotely access our virtual desktops from their personal laptops. By allowing individuals to download the VMware View client, we’ve enabled them to connect to the …
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Lil’ Brainiac Accelerates Language Learning For Children Of All Ages
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
GetBonkers, a creator of mobile learning apps, today announced Lil’ Brainiac, a language learning app for children. Whether your child is a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner, Lil’ Brainiac helps them quickly learn basic to advanced language …
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New XML DITA Editor for eXact LCMS at key learning technologies events in …
openPR (press release)
(openPR) – The global vendor of online and mobile learning content management and digital repository solutions, eXact learning solutions, has upgraded its eXact LCMS, adding single source XML technical documentation to blended learning. …
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Why “Go Mobile”? BKV’s Jamie Turner Reveals Mobile Marketing Benefits in New Book
MarketWatch (press release)
17, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — In a world where more people own a mobile device than a toothbrush, learning to effectively connect with customers through mobile technology is crucial for businesses around the globe. “Go Mobile” — a new book …
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Educational apps for early learners see huge jump
eSchool News (registration)
By Laura Devaney, Managing Editor As mobile learning devices crop up in classrooms from coast to coast, the market for educational apps appears to be thriving, with educational apps for pre-schoolers and toddlers experiencing a huge jump over the past …
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aboutGolf Debuts aG Mobile, Portable Training Device, at PGA Merchandise Show
Golf Club Business (press release)
Maumee, OH – aboutGolf, world leader in indoor golf simulator and performance technology, continues its mission to offer advanced learning technology with the introduction of aG Mobile – a portable training aid – to its exclusive golf equipment …
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MicroStrategy to Host 15th Annual User Conference, January 23-26, 2012 in …
Sacramento Bee
Learn how transactional apps embed write-back functionality into documents and dashboards to facilitate decision-making and initiate transactions on the go. Mobile. Learn about MicroStrategy’s widely acclaimed mobile platform and how MicroStrategy …
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Startup Accelerator Amplify Announces 5 New Portfolio Companies and Unique …
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
Those that have joined Amplify include: GetBonkers (@letsgetbonkers) is a game publisher and aggregator building a large suite of fun and engaging mobile learning apps for children. ?Look IO (@lookio) overlays live chat support with visual feedback …
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StudySync’s Ryan Bubalo Talks Tech in the Classroom
CIO Today
Aligned to the Common Core and aimed at middle school and high school students, StudySync (Booth #1138 at FETC) enlists broadcast-quality video, digital media, mobile platforms and social learning to advance reading, writing and critical thinking. …
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Upside Learning Kick Starts The New Year With Participating In ASTDTK …
The Open Press (press release)
Incidentally, both the events would be starting on 25th January with ASTD TK concluding on 27th and Learning Technologies ending a day prior on 26th. Upside Learning will be demonstrating its latest offerings in Mobile Learning solutions at its booth …
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CallidusCloud’s Rapid Intake Ranked Among Top Ten Course Authoring Solution …
MarketWatch (press release)
This recognition is a testament to our dedication in providing companies with the most innovative, open eLearning and mLearning solutions and reaffirms our position as leader in the high growth mobile learning market.” “We are excited to add the …
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RIEGL LiDAR 2012 Offers Learning and Networking Opportunities
POB
New technologies and productive workflows for both airborne and mobile LiDAR will be the focus of RIEGL LiDAR 2012 at the Hilton Orlando in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 28-March 1. “The conference will provide RIEGL users and non-users alike an exciting …
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Making Mobile Meaningful in (and Beyond!) Your STEM Classroom
GPB
Mobile phones, iPads, and tablets have the ability to create and share learning both in the classroom and in the extended online anywhere/anytime universe. In this webinar, Hall Davidson will show educators how to build interactive projects and …
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ADWC launches mobile app for students
WAM – Emirates News Agency
This application is the first of many planned mobile technological advances to streamline communications, both inside and outside of the college. ADWC strives to utilise cutting-edge technology to enhance the student learning experience. …
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Educators hope Apple’s textbook foray will begin a “learning revolution”
Ars Technica
By Chris Foresman | Published January 19, 2012 3:15 PM An ACU student uses an iPad in class, part of the school’s “Connected” mobile learning initiative. On Thursday morning, Apple announced a series of related initiatives designed to modernize …
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Idaho State Board of Education Selects Blackboard to Establish K-20 Platform …
MarketWatch (press release)
Under the four-year deal Blackboard, a leading provider of education technology, will provide institutions with its latest solutions for teaching and learning, Web conferencing and mobile learning. The agreement creates a common platform that will …
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Upside Learning Kick Starts The New Year with 2 Expos; Participates in ASTD TK …
PR.com (press release)
January will see Upside Learning, one of the leading names in Custom eLearning Development, Learning Management System and Mobile Learning Solutions, showcase its award-winning solutions and services at two of the most prestigious events in the …
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goFLUENT Outlines the Key Issues in Determining the Return on Investment in …
MarketWatch (press release)
In 2012, the conference includes presentations about open source platforms; serious games; simulations; interactive instructional design; content development tools; mobile learning; the latest learning technologies; social networks in learning, …
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Panarea Digital Debuts Nearpod For Schools
Publishers Weekly
The firm has produced interactive e-books for Barnes & Noble and other companies, but Panarea Digital is now focused on Nearpod, a mobile learning platform that uses the iPad and other mobile devices as a networked classroom teaching tool. …
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Learning Management System Company Intellum to Present at 2012 Node Conference
San Francisco Chronicle (press release)
The Atlanta-based innovator in hosted LMS solutions helps improve integration, efficiency of web-based and mobile enterprise applications. Intellum, Inc., the Atlanta-based learning management system company, is proud to announce that it will be …
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Entering a new era of learning
McDonough Voice
By Lainie Steelman Following in footsteps of West Prairie School District’s recent decision to provide every high school student with a mobile digital device starting with the 2012-13 school year, the Bushnell-Prairie City Board of Education has …
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OMG: Engaging Students on Their Own Terms
T.H.E. Journal
Technology Director Anthony A. Luscre of Mogadore Local Schools challenges educators to use students’ mobile devices to provide technology-rich, highly engaging, and fun learning experiences that reflect real-world skills. By Anthony A. Luscre Students …
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Next the Google Blog alert for mobile learning.

Apple iBooks Author for Interactive Textbooks and Mobile Learning …
By RJ Jacquez
Today Apple unveiled iBooks 2 for the iPad and iBooks Author for the Mac. The idea is to revolutionize Textbook as we know them (static) and make them interactive through video, …
Trends in eLearning & mLearning

Windows 7-based Tablets Offer Choice Platform for Mobile Learning …
By Erwin Visser
The Windows Blog is Microsoft’s Official Blog for the Windows Operating System.
Windows for your Business

The Ethics of Mobile Learning: Troubling and Complex …
By admin
The ethics of mobile learning in developing regions is an increasingly significant topic since we may be moving away from short-term small-scale projects — perhaps funded as corporate social responsibility or developmental research …
MobileActive.org

Free Learning Technologies Top Tips App Launched by Kineo …
Taking a practical approach, we’ll highlight ten areas that are ideal for mobile learning, and design ideas that work. Find out from practical examples how you can make sure your mobile learning delivers real results – and of course, pick up a …
Training Press Releases<

Finally, the Google Web alert for mobile learning.

Clearing the Road for Widespread Mobile Learning
This Thought Leadership Paper examines some of the major challenges – technical, financial and practical – to the adoption of mobile learning in K-12 …
www.convergemag.com/…/Clearing-the-Road-for-Widespread…

Mobile
Desire2Learn Mobile. Learning isn’t confined to the classroom anymore. Extending access to tablets and smartphones lets learners and instructors interact with …
www.desire2learn.com/products/mobile/

Kineo run Free Mobile Learning Workshop and Launch Free Guide …
Mobile learning – you know you need to look at it seriously.
www.trainingpressreleases.com/…/kineo-run-free-mobile-learn…

Conference Highlight: Thinking about Mobile Learning …
Training 2012 Conference & Expo speaker Scott McCormick explains the first thing you need to know about building your own mobile learning campaign: …
www.trainingmag.com/…/conference-highlight-thinking-about…

The Mobile Native: Mobile Learning Blogroll
Learning & Teaching with Mobile Learning Devices … Mobile Learning Blogroll. Here is a list of great Mobile Learning blogs to follow. Cell Phones in Learning …
themobilenative.blogspot.com/…/mobile-learning-blogroll.htm…

3 Ways to Make Mobile Learning Stick – Elearning! Magazine BLOG
According to recent research, use of mobile devices for learning in the US has increased from 9% in 2007 to over 20% in 2010. Generally speaking when you …
blogs.2elearning.com/…/3-ways-to-make-mobile-learning-stic…

GBI Portal | Blog | Mobile Learning Week: Paving the Way for Policy …
Nearly 200 mobile technology experts and international education leaders met at the first annual UNESCO Mobile Learning Week last month, December 12-16, …
gbiportal.net/…/mobile-learning-week-paving-the-way-for-pol…

Teachability: Mobile Learning: Apple Unveils iBooks 2 and iBooks …
… Teaching · Future of Teaching · Mobile Learning · RTI · Special Education · STEM · One to One Initiative. Search: Search. Up to Blog Posts in Mobile Learning …
www.teachability.com/…/apple-unveils-ibooks-2-and-ibooks-a…

The Ethics of Mobile Learning: Troubling and Complex …
Editor’s Note: The following is a guest post by John Traxler, Professor of Mobile Learning and Director of the Learning Lab at the University of Wolverhampton, …
mobileactive.org/ethics-mobile-learning

Inforgraphic: Are We Wired For Mobile Learning? How Digital …
Independent news source & thought center for the online education community.
www.wiredacademic.com/…/infographic-are-we-wired-for-mo…