What is one to do when they are supposed to be preparing for an online session on mLearning via BYOD/BYOT but instead are on holiday in Anaheim California visiting Disneyland and California Adventure Theme Parks as well as being a guest at a convention my husband is attending? Being who I am I decided to incorporate this in to my holiday by paying close attention to mine and others use of mobile technology, in particular BYOD/BYOT.
A key issue in schools that I encountered twice on my holiday is access to wi-fi. First on the flights to and from Anaheim wi-fi is available at a pay per user cost. Secondly, free wi-fi is not presently available in either of the theme parks. Those who have a phone data plan are fine, the rest of us not. Both of these made me wonder if in the future school districts would look to incorporate a fee to cover the costs related to mLearning via BYOD/BYOT. I also came to see how frustrating it can be when one cannot access their device. If school districts implement BYOD/BYOT they need to be ready to meet the wi-fi needs of all students at any given time.
Another key issue is equal opportunity for all. One part of this that I had forgotten about is what about those who do not to want to participate in mLearning and/ or whose parents do not want them participating in mLearning. I was reminded of this by one fellow I met at the convention receptions who uses a flip phone and has no interest what-so-ever in moving to a touch screen device. If this was a student in my class how would I meet his needs?
During this trip I came to see how much I depend on my mobile devices. I took along my iPhone and iPad. Whenever I had access to free wi-fi I was checking emails and responding, and using social media to share my day’s experiences and communicate with others. At the park I used my iPhone to take pictures, gone for me are the days of using a separate camera. My husband downloaded an app for us both called “WhatsApp”. It allows communication through texting, for those with the app, without the fear of roaming charges.
Evidence of others dependence on their mobile devices occurred all around me. Starting in the mornings at the guest breakfasts and throughout the day, at both theme parks in particular, and finally at the evening receptions people could be found on their smartphones/iPhones communicating with others through text, email and/or social media, and taking pictures and videos. I also saw tablets being used, at the theme parks, to take pictures and videos. The most impressive use of mobile technology I saw was at Disneyland , one high school student had a novel downloaded on her smartphone and was reading it to another, what a great way to spend your time while waiting in the long line ups.
Although there are issues in relation to mLearning via BYOD/BYOT, I feel the benefit far out ways these. If we are looking to engage students in their learning then we must incorporate in to our classrooms what they see almost as an extension of themselves smartphones/iPhones, and tablets and/or laptops.
Please also refer to the following post written during OLTD 509 BYOD http://jjaceklearnsonline.weebly.com/26/post/2014/02/byod.html
A key issue in schools that I encountered twice on my holiday is access to wi-fi. First on the flights to and from Anaheim wi-fi is available at a pay per user cost. Secondly, free wi-fi is not presently available in either of the theme parks. Those who have a phone data plan are fine, the rest of us not. Both of these made me wonder if in the future school districts would look to incorporate a fee to cover the costs related to mLearning via BYOD/BYOT. I also came to see how frustrating it can be when one cannot access their device. If school districts implement BYOD/BYOT they need to be ready to meet the wi-fi needs of all students at any given time.
Another key issue is equal opportunity for all. One part of this that I had forgotten about is what about those who do not to want to participate in mLearning and/ or whose parents do not want them participating in mLearning. I was reminded of this by one fellow I met at the convention receptions who uses a flip phone and has no interest what-so-ever in moving to a touch screen device. If this was a student in my class how would I meet his needs?
During this trip I came to see how much I depend on my mobile devices. I took along my iPhone and iPad. Whenever I had access to free wi-fi I was checking emails and responding, and using social media to share my day’s experiences and communicate with others. At the park I used my iPhone to take pictures, gone for me are the days of using a separate camera. My husband downloaded an app for us both called “WhatsApp”. It allows communication through texting, for those with the app, without the fear of roaming charges.
Evidence of others dependence on their mobile devices occurred all around me. Starting in the mornings at the guest breakfasts and throughout the day, at both theme parks in particular, and finally at the evening receptions people could be found on their smartphones/iPhones communicating with others through text, email and/or social media, and taking pictures and videos. I also saw tablets being used, at the theme parks, to take pictures and videos. The most impressive use of mobile technology I saw was at Disneyland , one high school student had a novel downloaded on her smartphone and was reading it to another, what a great way to spend your time while waiting in the long line ups.
Although there are issues in relation to mLearning via BYOD/BYOT, I feel the benefit far out ways these. If we are looking to engage students in their learning then we must incorporate in to our classrooms what they see almost as an extension of themselves smartphones/iPhones, and tablets and/or laptops.
Please also refer to the following post written during OLTD 509 BYOD http://jjaceklearnsonline.weebly.com/26/post/2014/02/byod.html