Mobile Learning On The Interwebs

Beginning with the eSchool News.

With their interactive touch screens, easy portability, and quick boot-up time, tablets are quickly becoming schools’ classroom computers of choice. And while many schools have invested in Apple’s revolutionary iPad, we’ve profiled seven other choices that educators might want to consider.

In other news, Microsoft’s “Office in the cloud” is now free to schools; a new course from Yahoo! is like traffic school for sexting; with help from the Internet2 high-speed network consortium, several colleges are taking a team approach to eTextbooks; same-sex classes are becoming more popular, even as criticism of this instructional practice rises; and could states’ NCLB waiver applications offer a roadmap for reauthorizing the law?

What do you think of these stories? Share your thoughts in the comments section, or send them to me via eMail–we’re eager to hear from you.

Regards,
Dennis Pierce, Editor
dpierce@eschoolnews.com

Question of the Week: What’s one new teaching technique, technology, or lesson plan you’re excited to implement or test out for the upcoming school year? Please send your response to Online Editor Meris Stansbury at mstansbury@eschoolnews.com. Your response may be chosen to be included in a thought round-up to be published by eSchool News. Please send your response by Friday the 13th.

Top Story of the Week

Seven iPad alternatives for schools With their interactive touch screens, easy portability, and quick boot-up time, tablets are increasingly becoming schools’ classroom computers of choice. And while many schools have invested in Apple’s revolutionary iPad, which started the whole tablet computing craze, a number of other suitable options have emerged to give school leaders more choices. [ Read More ]

Next, the ASCD SmartBrief.

Students receive MacBooks, iPads in pilot program
Teachers in an Illinois school district this fall will begin training to implement a one-to-one computing initiative. Students in kindergarten and sixth grade each will use their own Apple MacBook or iPad in the first year of the pilot program. The plan is to expand the program to other grades if it is successful. Currently, there is one computer available for every four students, and officials say they expect the added technology to enhance learning. Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Ill.) (7/5)

Texas district to provide mobile devices for all students, staff
A school district in Texas plans to provide 25,000 iPad tablet computers and iPod Touch devices to students and faculty by October. In this interview, Pat Karr, McAllen’s coordinator for network services and support, discusses the Transforming Learning in the Classroom, Campus and Community program, in which every student, teacher and administrator will receive a device. T.H.E. Journal (7/11)

5 keys to successful mobile learning programs
In a recent report on the state of mobile learning worldwide, researchers included five things that will lead to successful mobile learning programs in schools. Among them are quality leadership and commitment to the program, adequate technology, professional development, scalability and policies aligned with the mission of mobile learning. KQED.org/Mind/Shift blog (7/10)

Also, the SmartBrief for EdTech.

Educator: iPads are part of a “learning revolution”
Educator and consultant Ben Johnson in this blog post writes that iPad tablet computers have the potential to change classroom teaching, but he questions whether teachers are ready for the “learning revolution.” “Teachers no longer need to be the sole presenters of content,” he writes. “This is truly a paradigm shift in how teachers interact with students who are learning.” Edutopia.org/Ben Johnson’s blog (7/9)

Indianapolis high school requires students to purchase iPads
The Indianapolis Star (7/8)

Lease-purchase agreement offers discounted iPad devices
A California school district is providing iPad tablet computers for students through a discounted lease-purchase agreement. The district will pay $198,000 for 390 iPad 2 models. “We couldn’t afford not to do this,” district Assistant Superintendent Karl Dearie said. “It can be so much less expensive than textbooks … some high school texts cost $135 each.” The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) (7/9)

Students set goal of creating one app per week
The mobile software company 52apps was founded by high-school students and now operates out of the University of South Carolina. Its goal is to create a new application for the iPhone or iPad each week, and has just three nonstudents on staff. Bloomberg (7/9)

Nebraska school districts move toward iPads
Schuyler Community Schools has become the latest district in Nebraska to drop laptops in favor of iPad tablet computers. The school board will spend $446,000 to train teachers on the tablets and buy 185 of the mobile devices for staff and eighth-grade students and 450 for high-school students in the next two years. Fremont Tribune (Neb.)/Lincoln Journal Star (7/9)

Teacher creates hexagonical learning tool as a mobile app
Think Link is a free hexagonical learning tool developed by a teacher and his Year 7 English class in the United Kingdom. Kristian Still, assistant principal at Southampton’s Hamble Community Sports College, developed the application with the input of students and several tech-savvy educators. “Why hexagons? Well they have six sides, fit nicely together and so are great for making connections,” Still writes. The Guardian (London) (7/11)

N.C. students score better on tests following iPad rollout
A North Carolina school saw a significant increase in students’ standardized test scores following an initiative begun earlier this year in which every student at the school received an iPad tablet computer. Students reported feeling energized and excited to go to school and learn after receiving the devices, leased through grants. WFMY-TV (Greensboro, N.C.) (7/11)

Apps can make geography lessons fun for kids
Chicago Tribune/Tween Us blog (free registration) (7/11)

Back to the regular Google News alert for mobile learning.

Making Sense of Mobile Learning
Human Resource Executive Online
While many companies may still be getting a handle on using mobile devices as teaching tools, experts say the time is now for HR professionals to evaluate learning processes within their organizations, and determine how mobile technology can help.
See all stories on this topic »

Samsung and BrainPOP Announce Strategic Partnership and Availability of …
MarketWatch (press release)
Through the BrainPOP app, learners will be able to access educational movies and quizzes in a variety of subject areas including science, math and social studies, enabling students to make the most of mobile learning even outside of the classroom. The …
See all stories on this topic »

Review: Tata DOCOMO Tutor on Mobile
Techtree.com
Just like the advent of computers ushered in the era of e-learning, we are now ready for an era of m-learning, or using the mobile phone as an educational tool. Tata DOCOMO seems to have taken the cue, as it has its own mobile learning platform — a …
See all stories on this topic »

Cloud Solution for Mobile Multi-media Learning, Training and Delivery for …
Telecom Reseller (press release)
BOULDER – iFlipTips announced today approval from iTunes for distribution for Apple® iPhone® and iPad®. New in Version 2.0 is iFlipSlides. Using iFlipSlides users can …
See all stories on this topic »

So, you want to be a ‘mobile’ teacher?
ABS CBN News
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Education (DepEd) is eyeing to hire 719 Alternative Learning System (ALS) literary volunteers who will be tasked to respond to the learning needs of out-of-school youth and adults across the country.
See all stories on this topic »

Care to Learn founder Doug Pitt kept talking about the work of his local …
Springfield News-Leader
Care to Learn will be in the national spotlight this morning when Doug Pitt appears on NBC’s ‘Today’ show. A live, five-minute segment with the Springfield businessman is scheduled to start just after 7:15 a.m..
See all stories on this topic »

Blackboard Announces Updates for Web Conferencing Platform
MarketWatch (press release)
With the new version, Blackboard Collaborate adds enhanced integrations for leading learning management systems (LMS), user experience improvements that make the system easier to use and more accessible, and plans to add support for mobile access.
See all stories on this topic »

Thanks to students, mobile art comes to DC library
Washington Post
Hannah M. Clark, 17, participated in the program and said the first few days were intense — learning what a mobile was and learning the styles of the two artists. But once the group started working to cut the shapes and painting them, the mobiles came …
See all stories on this topic »

Blackboard Web Conferencing Software Update To Include iOS Support
T.H.E. Journal
Blackboard has updated its Web conferencing application to add mobile support, user-oriented improvements, and tighter integration with learning management systems, including Moodle. Version 12 of Blackboard Collaborate is expected to be available …
See all stories on this topic »

Blackboard Introduces User Purchase Option for Mobile Learning App
MarketWatch (press release)
Beginning in September, users worldwide will be able to download Blackboard Mobile(TM) Learn from the App Store and on Google Play, search for their school, and get access to their courses and organizations for an introductory price of $1.99 per year …
See all stories on this topic »

Blackboard Takes Mobile Apps to the End User
Campus Technology
This September, Blackboard Mobile Learn for iOS and Android will be available for purchase by end users “without requiring an investment by their institution,” according to Blackboard, which made the announcement at the BbWorld 2012 event happening …
See all stories on this topic »

Blackboard and Ingram Announce Plans to Integrate VitalSource Bookshelf and …
MarketWatch (press release)
The planned integration would also support viewing e-book content through Blackboard’s mobile learning app. “Our work with Vital Source can deliver great value for educators and students by bringing together the leading e-textbook platform and the …
See all stories on this topic »

VitalSource E-Textbook Platform Coming to Blackboard Learn
Campus Technology
Ingram’s electronic textbook platform, VitalSource Bookshelf , is making its way to Blackboard Learn and Blackboard Mobile Learn.
See all stories on this topic »

Ingram’s Vital Source Bookshelf and Blackboard Learn Integrate
Publishers Weekly
Blackboard Inc. and Ingram have agreed to integrate Blackboard Learn and Vital Source, giving students and faculty access to Vital Source’s e-textbook platform directly within Blackboard Learn’s system. The integration will be available for both online …
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Expertus Named ‘Hot Vendor’ for Learning and Talent Management Innovation
Sacramento Bee
An experience that: leverages the collaborative nature of the cloud, embraces today’s social and mobile technologies and connects/engages all of an organization’s internal and external learning audiences. %22At Expertus, we apply the ‘power of …
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Deltecs Launches IVR Enabled Learning Platform DRONA I-Voice for Mobiles …
Melodika.net (press release)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India – Deltecs InfoTech announces the launch of its pioneering voice-based learning platform DRONA I-Voice. The solution allows big and small enterprises to train their front-end personnel and mobile workers including sales, …
See all stories on this topic »

Samsung Mobile Launches Free Mobile Application Boot Camps For …
MarketWatch (press release)
During the boot camps, students will have access to mobile technology leaders, application developers and web entrepreneurs to learn about the latest developments in mobile technology and innovative mobile application campaigns through case studies …
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CourseSmart® Expands Access to Integration for the Blackboard Learn(TM …
MarketWatch (press release)
… well as access on mobile devices. The single sign-on functionality enables students and instructors to access CourseSmart’s digital catalog directly within Blackboard Learn without having to remember a separate set of credentials for CourseSmart …
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CourseSmart® Expands Access to Integration for the Blackboard Learn™ Platform
Sacramento Bee
PRNewswire/ — CourseSmart®, the world’s largest provider of eTextbooks and digital course materials, today announced an expanded agreement to provide the CourseSmart Building Block for the Blackboard Learn™ platform throughout the United States and …
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Blackboard Introduces User Purchase Option for Mobile Learning App
Exec Digital (press release)
NEW ORLEANS, July 11, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Blackboard Inc. today announced an option to let students and faculty directly purchase its mobile learning application, adding a new way for users to get access to the apps without requiring an investment…
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New Tech Center Aims to Further Understanding of Mobile Learning
Campus Technology
The University of San Diego is offering educators and administrators the first accredited certificate in mobile technology tools, teaching, and metrics.
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Deltak and Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota to Jointly Present on Mobile …
Virtual-Strategy Magazine
As part of a mobile-learning initiative, Deltak and Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota representatives will jointly present on iPad-powered mobile learning at the 17th annual Campus Technology Conference in Boston, Massachusetts on July 19, 2012 at 8 …
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Students go to mobile app boot camp
San Francisco Chronicle (blog)
The makers of Angry Birds famously needed 52 tries to create a widely successful mobile phone app. Hoping to speed up their own path to success, 30 Bay Area teenagers are participating in a two-day boot camp at UC Berkeley this week to learn what it …
See all stories on this topic »

Mobile learning exhibit open today
South Bend Tribune
SOUTH BEND — A hands-on exhibit offering educational games for children to do with their parents on two touch-screen kiosks will highlight the importance of early education.
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Upside Learning Enters Into a Channel Partnership with TSC Innovation Co. Ltd …
PR.com (press release)
As a trusted Upside Learning channel partner, TSC Innovation will provide Upside Learning’s solutions portfolio comprising UpsideLMS, the best value Learning Management System, and Upside2Go, the revolutionary mobile learning platform, to its clients …
See all stories on this topic »

Next, the Google Blog alert for mobile learning.

Join the facilitators of the free course on #mLearning MobiMOOC
By noreply@blogger.com (Ignatia/Inge de Waard)
With the start of the course still two months away, our grand group of facilitators was completed last week and here are the guides-on-the-side for all the upcoming mobile learning topics (in completely random order). All of us cover 4 continents …
@Ignatia Webs

SAMSUNG AND BRAINPOP ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC …
By eSchool News
Through the BrainPOP app, learners will be able to access educational movies and quizzes in a variety of subject areas including science, math and social studies, enabling students to make the most of mobile learning even outside of the …
eSchool News

EasyBib’s Library Corner: Mobile Learning Resources « EasyBib
By Emily G.
Mobile learning seems to be the way many educators are leaning in terms of implementing new approaches and technology in the classroom to engage their students. Tablet computers continue to rise in popularity as an educational tool, and …
EasyBib

Finally, the Google Web alert for mobile learning.

mobile learning | Democratizing Knowledge
One or two are MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), depending on your definition, and another is a mobile learning course, which pushes the boundaries of …
mikegwaltney.net/blog/?tag=mobile-learning

Mobile Learning Trends | BlueVolt
In an increasingly “on-demand” society, you want to give learners every opportunity to complete training whenever and wherever they please, and elearning is …
www.bluevolt.com/company/blog/…/mobile-learning-trends

ADL Mobile Learning Newsletter #105 – 9 July 2012
Note: The ADL mobile team is updating the Mobile Learning …
research.adlnet.gov/newsletter/mobile/07092012.htm

Mobile Learning – Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
Please Note: We will feature extended hours on Thursdays while CRUNCH the alligator snapping turtle is visiting the Museum. On Thursday July 5, July 12, July …
www.boonshoftmuseum.org/programs…/-/mobile-learning

Making Sense of Mobile Learning – HR Executive Online
While many companies may still be getting a handle on using mobile devices as teaching tools, experts say the time is now for HR professionals to evaluate …
www.trainbycell.com/?p=318