Mobilizing continued from page 7
going to get serious about connecting with kids using tools that are meaningful to them, we need to consider not only the use of school owned mobile devices such as iPads and Android Tablets (which are both amazing) but also the use of student owned mobile devices such as cell phones. When that happens, mobile learning has gone completely mobile – put another way: anytime, anywhere learning is made possible when any mobile device is utilized, regardless of who owns it.
The possibilities are endless, but the activities must be educationally appropriate and not done just for mobility sake. The decision to utilize mobile devices as part of the learning environment cannot be based on having the latest gadget. If that were the case, different devices would be purchased every few months. The decision to utilize mobile devices as part of the learning environment must be because their use empowers a student to be even more successful than they would have been otherwise.
What are the considerations when implementing mobile learning using
Update
continued from page 7 Bylaws Revision Results
Last fall MACUL members approved three changes to the Bylaws that ensures greater board diversity, lengthens board member terms from two to three years while maintaining term limits, and provides flexibility in the size of the board to allow for better representation of the membership.
All three motions were approved by well over the required two thirds of the voting membership.
ISTE 2012
There is still time to register for ISTE 2012, the annual conference of the International Society for Technology in Education,
www.isteconference.org/2012/. The conference will be held in San Diego (CA) on June 24-27 and is the world’s premier education technology event
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district and student owned devices? The four areas I listed above and outlined in greater detail in the Winter 2011/12 MACUL Journal address areas around adding mobile devices to the school setting. In addition, school districts should consider these areas:
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Curriculum/Technology Collaboration: in order for a district to embrace mobile learning, the focus has to first be on learning, not on the device. That is accomplished through direction by the district leadership and curriculum staff that learning can be supported through the use of mobile devices. Once that happens, a district’s curriculum can be examined for appropriate places for mobile devices to be incorporated into lessons. Technology staff can then determine the appropriate device to use for the learning objectives to be realized. Notice the choice of the device is the last step, not the first.
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Policies: Districts will need to examine their district policies to ensure they outline when the use of personal communication devices can be used (and when they cannot) and what measures will be put in place to ensure filtering rules and regulations are met when using these devices in school. This includes educating our youth on appropriate use that promotes being a good digital citizen and preventing inappropriate use such as cyberbullying.
drawing close to 20,000 attendees and exhibitors.
Those attending ISTE 2012 from Michigan are encouraged to take part in an informal reception sponsored by MACUL and the REMC Association of Michigan. Check the MACUL website for details.
2012 and 2013 MACUL Conferences
Thank you to all who participated in the 2012 MACUL conference held last March in Grand Rapids. It’s not too early to plan to attend the 2013 MACUL conference in Detroit, March 20-22. The theme of the conference is Blending Technology & Curriculum for Today’s Learner. Speaker proposals will be accepted online starting in July. Watch the MACUL website for updated information.
SPRING/SUMMER 2012 | •
Funding: Technology, mobile or not, requires sustained funding. That funding is not only for the initial purchase of devices, but for the support necessary to keep them maintained and replaced as they age. Examine district budgets to identify places where efficiencies can be realized by utilizing technology solutions; redirect those efficiencies to increasing annual technology capital and support
budgets.
Children in countries such as Africa are expanding their learning potential through the use of low cost cell phones in learning activities that involve texting and social networking. With the many mobile options schools are considering here, imagine what our students could do by using mobile devices in learning (even those they personally own). The potential is endless! Begin today with some of the great ideas found within this edition of the MACUL Journal and get to mobilizing mobile learning in your school district!
Mike Oswalt is the Assistant Superintendent for Regional Technology Services at Calhoun ISD and is the 2011/12 MACUL Board President.
ATTENTION ALL EDUCATORS!
The 4th annual Michigan Joint Education Conference will be held Wednesday, June 20 at the Eastern Michigan University Student
Center. Register by June 4 for only $49. More information at
www.mijec.org
MACULJOURNAL
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