Mobile learning in the classroom

Descriptive Reflection:

More and more schools are moving toward mobile learning in the classroom as a way to take advantage of a new wave of electronic devices that offer portability and ease of use on a budget. Netbooks, iPads, cell phones, iPods and e-readers are increasingly becoming the tools of choice for today's educators, and it is easy to see why. There are wide definition of mobile learning briefly it is "the ability to learn independently of place and time, facilitated by a range of mobile devices“. Mobile learning technologies offer teachers-and students-a more flexible approach to learning.
The teacher can use many programmed to attracted students even the social networks!
Vist this link :  http://edudemic.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/mobile-learning-visual.png
to learn more about why the mobile learning is the future of workplace learning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WPVWDkF7U8&feature=player_embedded

This video shows the positive use of mobile devices in the classroom and also discusses other aspects of mobility, such as the teacher being able to interact with her class even though she was physically away that day.

Critical   Reflection:

It can be intimidating to try something new in the classroom. This is especially true with technology. I believe that technology should make the work of teachers easier while creating an environment that excites and engages students. More and more teachers are finding success with using mobile devices in the classroom and  as schools begin to consider the movement towards mobile learning, it's important to support teachers with strategies for success, particularly if they are new because success doesn't just happen. It takes strategic planning and putting the right building blocks in place for success. This means doing things like informing parents, teaching responsible use, updating classroom management techniques, carefully planning activities and including students, and teaching students about safety and etiquette.

Before I learned about mobile learning, I didn’t think that social networks could have been a valuable asset to students learning. I have now learnt that social networks can be especially useful out of the classroom setting. After I learned about that I started thinking about appling this technique at schools! For example a class page or even subject page can be set up on facebook or twitter or even whatsApp and this will allow students to post questions, post information and engage in discussions about an image or a piece of information shared by the teacher or other students. This can greatly aid in reinforcing specific topics or broadening the students knowledge of specific topics.

I think also that in employing the use of social networks in a class setting, e-safety has to be incorporated as a support mechanism since the students need to be taught to be responsible when using social networks. They also need to be aware of the dangers they may be exposed to, (such as cyber stalking, cyber bullying) and the steps they can take to prevent/avoid being victims.

Actually, Careful planning, precise objectives and the establishment of policies/regulations regarding the use of social networks will foster a positive and successful learning experience for the students in this regard.

We use WhatsApp in learning about sypersafty. It really was a great experience. I learned a lot from it. I feel more confident when I answer the teacher questions and I can think more about the question. Also using WhatsApp made the learning process more enjoyable and ease the issue for us. By using mobile learning we can learn everywhere at any time and that the greatest thing the mobile learning Provides to me.

Inferentially, I go out from the group before I take a picture to use it her to show you! =(

 
 

IWBs in the classroom Pedagogy

Descriptive Reflection:

Interactive white board is a new technology. It is a presentation system that connects a computer to a projector and screen. Teachers by using IWBs are able to present their lessons to engage modern students by getting those students involved. Students are able to come to the board and manipulate objects, which adds interest to the lessons.

 Introducing an interactive whiteboard (IWB), which learners can use interactively during whole-class teaching may offer new opportunities for publicly expressing their ideas, not only verbally, but using graphical and other representations. Hence they can more easily articulate scientific knowledge and receive teacher (and peer) feedback. IWB provides collaborative opportunities for reasoning, hypothesis testing and

interpretation that go well beyond those afforded by more established classroom device.⁽¹⁾ Interactive whiteboards have become popular over the last few years. It became a must-have tool.

Critical   Reflection:  

It was the first time I use an interactive whiteboard. First, we learned about how to present an interactive lesson for the students. I learned many new things about using colors, pictures, videos and graphs in an effective ways. I learned a new program called activinspire  to create lessons which I will be able to presented  it using IWB. After I learned about this technology I have an own opinion about using it.

 I think teachers would not have better lessons if only they have an IWB in the classroom! Originally, my thoughts were that the bells and whistles of the IWB would directly affect the student’s learning. There is no consideration given to the effects of the board being used inappropriately, its underuse, unavailability of an IWB or even having one and not using it. In SQU and many schools around the country there are unused IWBs because there is no awareness about using it and the teachers need to learned how to use it in an appropriate ways.

IWB’s are very important in classrooms these days. Using it make the delivery of the contents be more speed and realistic. This is very important for the students as they need to be able to relate what they learn in the classroom to the real world. This will let them have many experiences with various technologies which will allows them to be further stimulated on their interest and knowledge in a particular field.

Whether the IWB is seen as interactive or entertaining, there is no doubt that our students learning environments can be greatly enhanced through its use. Additionally, it is important to note that the students learning outcomes will greatly affected by the teacher’s knowledge of the technology and their ability to reflect and improve upon their use of the technology.

I highly recommended that the Ministry of  Education put a plan to teach the teachers  about the IWBs and how they can use it.

Finally, IWBs are like any other technology tools. It has the advantages and disadvantages but the good adopter who know how to use it in the effective way. Every day we have to learned new things in technology because if not we will not be able to be in update in new technologies!

 Read about my experience in designing advance interactive activities using IWBs here:

 

http://bookloverworld.blogspot.com/2013/04/designing-advance-interactive.html

 And here is me and my group lesson using activinspire:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1M92ebMBBcPZnBpUzdjVDVHYk0/edit?usp=sharing

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Reference:

(1): Hennessy, S., Deaney, R., Ruthven, K. & Winterbottom, M. (2007) Pedagogical strategies for using the interactive whiteboard to foster learner participation in school science, Learning, Media and Technology, 32:3, 283-301

Prezi =)

Prezi! What a wonderful program! I really like it. It was the first time I hear about it. I tried it. it was a very easy and powerful program. I told my friends about this program. I think it  is a very interactive way to present topics. I create many presentations using it. ISLAM was one of the presentations I had creates by prezi. Actually, I started thinking how I could use Prezi in duwa way. I think I could create a prezi presentation and then captivate it using Adobe captivate and add voice to it using Adobe after effects. So it will be a video!

One of may presentations created by Prezi:

http://prezi.com/dt0gpl9b4qru/islam/?kw=view-dt0gpl9b4qru&rc=ref-34205853

Designing advance interactive activities using IWBs

Designing advance interactive activities using IWBs was the most enjoyable assignment for me. I learned a lot because I work with new Colleagues (Laila & Sara).  I learned how to install activenspire and what is the best way to create a lecture using it. I learned a lot from my team. We discussed before accepting any thing in our project. We listened to each other. I think we were a good team. I like the way we presented our topic. Actually it was a very exciting experience. 

Only what teacher said?!

I am very interested about learning a new program. I saw in the plan we will learn about wordle. It was the first time i know about this program. I went to Google and type wordle. I started to explain it. I really like it. It was very simple and we could create a very beautiful pictures.   

exampls of pictures I had created using Wordle:

 

learning theories & Google apps

When I saw In the plan of the course that we will study the learning theories I said: Ooh what a boring thing!! should we learn about the learning theories in each course?!But when the teacher came and started teaching us the learning theories I enjoyed! I was surprised how could a same topic be a very very boring at a time and enjoyable in other time?!
Actually I learn some thing new in this lecture. the lecture was as a simple as the teacher can. 

After this lecture we studied about the Google applications. the teacher showed us the most important apps. I was actually interested in Google Docs. I created my own account in Google docs and tried to create a document and shared it with my friends. I think it is a very good and helpful applications. 

questions & questions

Are the practice is the more impotent thing when we learn? or the knowledge and adding more information is the important?

Can students choose what they want to learn or is it a one way learning process?

Can we learn without a writing test?

I asked my self this questions and others in the first and second weeks. It was a very important moments to me. I think about what the teacher said seriously. when the teacher came and told us there will be no writing exam, I feel happy and more comfortable because I know I will enjoy studding this course.
I was very exciting when I saw the plan of the course.