I got
through university without owning a laptop or smartphone. I never had
an online class. Teachers communicated the requirements of the class
on hard copy course outlines that they handed out at the beginning of
the semester and through giving the details in the physical classes.
I handed in my assignments hard copy. I used the school's computer
labs to get my assignments typed and printed. I used A LOT of paper.
The 'Portable Devices' I Used Most in University
Paper, though we see less of each other now, I will always love you. That page in MS Word just can't
replace you, it's not the same. XOXOX
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Many students today don't even show up to
class with pen and paper anymore. Tapping away at a touch screen device
is as much a sign of paying attention and taking notes as is scribbling
points down in a notebook.
According
to techopedia.com
portable devices are...
...primarily battery powered devices with base computing resources in the form of a processor, memory, and storage and network access. The latest portable devices are thin and lightweight, making them easy to carry and hold...Small plug-and-play devices such as USB drives, external hard disks and webcams can also be called portable devices.
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Portable Electronic Devices
Once upon time, it would take a mighty big pocket to fit a camera, music player, phone and storage device. Not anymore.
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How can
teachers/schools tap into portable devices which their students are already
using to extend learning outside of the classroom? Here are
my thoughts on using portable devices- narrowed down to smartphones
and tablet computers. I highlight these devices because of their wide
accessibility in Jamaica and their high level of convergence- they
combine phone, camera, mp3 player, word processor, voice recorder
etc.
Quick
alerts
While we
do not want to inundate students with school notices, I think it
would be useful if alerts from Learning Management Systems
(specifically, the Aeorion system used at Northern Caribbean University) were delivered to
mobile phones as well. This would be helpful especially for urgent
notices that are delivered with not much time to prepare for
example: a change of plans for class, which everyone would need to
see quickly.
Show
and Tell
I have
found it far easier to show my students visual content that I want
them to assess or learn from online. Videos, pictures, infographics
enrich lessons in ways that would not have possible in the physical
classroom alone, even with a projector. I do not have the same time
constraints of a physical class online and my students can interact with the material on
their own time.
I have also
asked students to find examples of things that illustrate concepts
being taught. They bring back pictures/videos on their smartphones
or tablets so I can see what they saw and hear what they heard.
Portable devices have reinvented show and tell.
Podcasting
I think
there is so much more scope for delivering lectures in this way.
Podcasting is one way to make hybrid classes. For example, classes
that are split 50/50 between in class and online. One of the class
days, the students listen to a lecture via podcast. The other class
session is used to discuss the material and do activities.
This could
also apply to simply making reading material available online but podcasts allow for greater compression of the material and make it more interesting.
Virtual Field Trips
Could we go
places without going places? My department has had to cut back on the
amount of field trips because of budgetary constraints. As a substitute guided
tours could be arranged that are video taped and made accessible
online. If these tours were interactive as well then loading up a bus
to go someplace may struggle to remain relevant, though it will
always win out in the end.
Even for
classes that are primarily delivered in a physical space, one one
consultations with students can take place online. Office hours could
be extended to online meaning teacher and student are not tied down
to a particular physical space if and when such assistance is needed
outside of class. Software that is sanctioned by the school and has
accountability built in is important to ensure that these sessions
are conducted ethically and professionally.
I suggest
that teachers/schools:
Develop
policies that guide the use of portable devices for teaching and
learning. Since technology changes quickly, such policies would
always be a work in progress, but it is better to have policy
guidelines that change than none at all.
Tailor compatibility of their online services to fit the most widely
used digital formats but also advise students what capabilities to
look for when purchasing devices so they can have unhindered access.
Help
give students access by negotiating student deals on hardware,
software and service with providers.
Below are web resources that give more info on how to integrate these
ubiquitous portable devices in the teaching/learning process:
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