The Mobile Learning Revolution: The Top 101 Resources

Be sure to check out the work of Scott Hawksworth, Chief Executive Officer of Best Online Universities,  Scott and his team have assembled an amazing list of 101 online websites and resources addressing the use of mobile devices in education.  In Scott's words:

"Technology is changing education in countless ways and mobile learning is one of the most significant innovations,  We think anyone involved in education, whether a teacher or a student, should stay up-to-date on its evolution.  This list aims to help them do just that."

I Teach Therefore IPod (one of my favorite blogs) is listed as a resource.  So is the work of innovative mobile folks like Tony Vincent.  It's a pretty comprehensive list (no, not just because my blog is on the list).  Be sure to check out the list at:

http://bestonlineuniversities.com/mobile-learning/

PS  With all of my career changes, folks have have a hard time keeping up with me.  If you would like to connect with me, my newest email is harry_walker@hcpss.org

Backward Southern Schools? Not so Fast - Horry County Leads the Way

     Say what you will about the schools in South Carolina.  Underfunded, underperforming, under fill in the blank?  While improvements have been noted, the state as a whole is a far cry from the model of reform and excellence imagined by Arne Duncan and the politicians who profess to know better than we educators.

     In a recent report from NEA ranking states, South Carlina teachers' salaries ranked 38th. 
(http://www.nea.org/assets/img/content/NEA_Rankings_And_Estimates-2013_(2).pdf) 

     In terms of the Science and Engineering Readiness Index (SERI), SC students ranked 40th in the country (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/11/state-education-rankins-_n_894528.html? 

     Rankings from the 17th annual report card posted by the American Legislative Exchange Council placed South Carolina as the worst performing state in the country.

(http://www.alec.org/state-by-state-education-ranking-report-card-2011/)

     With all that said, it makes what is happening in Horry County, South Carolina even more impressive.  Last night, the board of education approved a 2.2 million dollar "personalized digital learning initiative" as part of thier technology plan to put digital devices in the hands of each of their K-12 students, update existing technology and build their wireless infrastructure.  You can read the piece in the local Myrtle Beach paper.

http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/2013/06/23/3549812/horry-county-schools-budget-up.html

     Of particular note in Horry County is the work going on under the leadership of Judy Beard with the support of Beth Havens at Whittemore Park Middle School in Conway.  Whittemore Park received a Next Generation grant and is working collaboratively with the leaderhip team assembled by Dr. Cindy Ellsberry to implement truly innovative technology programs.  You can read about their grant award here:

http://www.horrycountyschools.net/pages/Horry_County_Schools/News/Whittemore_Park_Middle_awarded
  

The Technology Nine Commandments

Since I have had some time on my hands in between jobs, I have had the opportunity to reflect on what I have learned over my 34 years in education about the most effective ways to incorporate technology into today's classrooms to enhance teaching and learning.  As a principal, I made my fair share of mistakes in my well intentioned efforts to try to make the most out of technology.  As a blended learning senior consultant I saw even more mistakes being made, again with good intentions.

My experiences have led to the crafting of a list of dont's and do's when considering incorporating technology programs with kids in education settings.  I hope I don't offend readers as I have put my thoughts, most of them don'ts, into a list of commandments.   I had ten, but deleted one to make it the Nine Commandments.   I didn't want to be accused of infringing on the big guy's intellectual property.  I do not mean for this post to be sacrilegious, just humorous and hopefully thought provoking.

You can find the commandments on this shared Google doc:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CdPYH8CjnNvlwG8YTBfpCwIyedJxlLS6VUO9zaVoTiE/edit?usp=sharing

Back in the Saddle

I know this blog isn't supposed to be Facebook or Twitter, but I got a job - Woo-Hoo!  Thank goodness -  I was running out of rooms to paint in my house.  Details on the job to follow.....

Rubric Research Data Coming Soon!

Good day fellow mobile enthusiasts.  I am very happy to announce that I am coming down the home stretch on my doctorate and will have more data to share in the very near future.  Seventy subject matter experts from around the globe recently completed an online survey and shared their experiences using the App Rubric, as well as how they are using Apps in their settings.  It was interesting data and further supports the importance of research in the area of mobile technology applications in education settings.  In addition to posting this latest round of data, my hope is to post a link to my dissertation sometime this summer.  Happy surfing....

It's not Mommy honey, it's the Kindle.

Russ Crupnick, Senior VP of Industry Analysis gets it.  What is this 1984?  Technology is now taking over our need to parent?  No longer do you as the parent have to tell your child his or her time is up on the Kindle.  You can program the device so that mean old Kindle is the bad guy.  Read his post below:

https://www.npdgroupblog.com/if-you-cant-tell-time-perhaps-you-shouldnt-be-allowed-to-have-children/

The commercial itself can be viewed here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TpuRIJnya5E

Come on Moms and Dads - Mom up and Dad up.  Being the bad guy isn't a bad thing.  Be a parent, not a friend.

Screen Time- Is Flex Too Much?

    With the increasing use of computers in schools and the fact that too many of us (kids included) spend way too much time with our faces glued to small and large screens (oooh, shiny), the question that begs to be asked is, "How much time is too much screen time?"
     I'm all about connecting kids with technology in schools, don't get me wrong.  Besides believing in the power of technology to enhance our instruction, if we don't, we risk a whole generation of kids checking out of this thing we call school.  However, I am concerned in our rush to increase the use of blended learning in schools that some of us may be taking things a little too far.  Of particular concern to me are those folks across the country (e.g., Carpe Diem Schools) implementing the "flex model" of blended learning under the guise of being "innovative". Call me old school, old-fashioned, or whatever, but I don't think computer programs, digital content and the like, no not even Hal, can take the place of the interaction that takes place between a teacher and his or her students during that magical thing called learning.  Let embrace the latest and greatest technology, but be mindful of using it to do what it does best, freeing up teachers to do what they do best.