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Sharing Tips and Tricks on Mobile Learning

In your courses you have been asked to share any tips or tricks you may have regarding Mobile Learning. This can include any ideas, resources, activities, lesson plans using mobile devices, etc.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michelle Fairley on December 13, 2010 at 9:50pm

Thanks Colin. This tip I will pass along to a teacher in my building that received a grant for iPods for his class.

Permalink Reply by Cheryl Butler on December 12, 2010 at 2:23pm

I have started using an iPad this year for as many things as possible. I am especially a fan of the mind mapping app called iThoughtsHD and the Apple app Pages. I have also found that having DropBox is helpful to share documents cross-platform--whether its for work, personal or school!

Permalink Reply by Michelle Fairley on December 13, 2010 at 9:49pm

Rushton Hurley, a Google trained teacher, came and presented out opening day. I hate to say, that when I first heard that we were going to focuses on Google for three hours, I emotionally shutdown until he began to teach in his mildly comical way, and I have to say that I learned so much in such a short period of time I felt overwhelmed. One of the things that he focused on was Mobile Learning. He used a web based program to do a survey and we were to reply to the question by texting on our cell phones. This concept, just a few years ago, was not even thought possible.

Permalink Reply by Jeff Powers on December 15, 2010 at 4:08pm

I recently downloaded an application from i-Tunes called gFlash+ onto my iPhone. gFlash is a product from gwhiz mobile that turns your phone into a flash card library. The best part about this program is you can create your own flash cards using the spreadsheet in Google Documents and then sign-in to your account from your phone and upload the flash cards to the gFlash+ app for use anywhere. Once you upload the cards they remain on your phone until you delete them. My first use was creating flash cards from my son's sight word lists. You also have the option of purchasing pre-made sets of flashcards. For more information and which smart phones can use this app check out the gwhiz mobile site.

Permalink Reply by Lisa Mele on March 2, 2011 at 8:00am

My students all have iTouches and gFlash+ is one of the apps that we regularly use for vocabulary lists. It is a great way to review the terms and also a great activity to have them do if they have finished other work early.

Permalink Reply by Bob Carl on November 3, 2011 at 9:03pm

I too checked into gwhiz mobile for digital flashcards. I personally found that studyblue.com worked better for us. Studyblue is a website that allows teachers and students to share flashcards with each other. The flash cards can also be arranged so that they can be used as a study guide or even quizes. Studyblue also has smartphone apps, so students can study on the go. These mobile apps are the greatest. Wish we had them when I was in school!

Permalink Reply by Stephanie Six on December 17, 2010 at 1:00pm

I found this article in the Boise State Technology Teacher (http://itcboisestate.wordpress.com/2010/09/13/10_tips_mobile/). I honestly had never heard of google mobile, but after reading about it, I am seriously considering implementing it into our courses. Our students are out in the field, so when they have an issue, it usually needs to be addressed right away. We don't give out our home/cell numbers so we can only be contacted between 8-5pm. I am sure the students would appreciate it!

Permalink Reply by Scott Cox on February 28, 2011 at 8:55pm

There is a pretty cool site that I have used for my 7th grade science class called polleverywhere.com. The site allows you to create a multitude of questions (multiple choice, true/false, yes/no, or free response) on any topic you want and they way your students respond is by texting their answers in. This allows me to poll the class as a review to see if they have gotten the hang of the lesson. It also allows me to poll students before a lesson to see their level of understanding before a lesson or topic. If a student doesn't have a cell phone or free texting, that's ok. They can log onto poll4.com and answer the poll that way.

Another way I have helped create mobile learning is by creating Screencasts of my lectures/note taking. The website Screencast-o-matic.com allows you to record 15 minute episodes. You can then choose to unload to the SOM (screencast-o-matic) Website or upload to YouTube, or you can export it as a number of different movie types including mp4's, avi., or flash. If you upload the Screencast to SOM, you also have the ability to access the embed code for the Screencast that you could use to embed it into a webpage or blog. I have downloaded the Screencasts as Mp4's and then uploaded my episodes to my Moodle page. This way, my lectures are available at any time for any reason. If you were sick, you can get caught up. If you forgot your notes at school, you can access them anywhere you have internet! Pretty cool.

The last way I have somewhat touched on already. My district supports the use of an Online Management System called Moodle. This is my central hub for information. The students are able to access notes, lectures, worksheets, homework, quizzes, forums, WebQuests, journals, links to important websites, video's, games, and simulations. We as a science team use a series of book by Holt that allows students to access their book online. I have a link to their book here too. So the student have NO EXCUSE to feed mom and dad! "I forgot my homework at school"...tough cookies, its online, download it, fill it in and either print it off or email to me. "But mom!! I forgot my book at school"...oh well...get online and access it! "cough cough...mom, I think I''m coming down with something, I better stay home from school"...well, while you are home, you can listen to Mr. Cox's lecture and stay caught up!

Permalink Reply by Emily on March 1, 2011 at 6:34am

I've just discovered screen-o-matic as well. I love jing, but it's hard to upload the .swf video files. Do you record your lectures during class or outside the classroom?

Permalink Reply by Scott Cox on March 5, 2011 at 12:05pm

I record during class! :)

Permalink Reply by Tammie Mirolli on March 3, 2011 at 9:47pm

Scott,

Our school also uses Moodle. I have found it to be an amazing asset. I have been able to upload our classroom book as well and the students love this option. Next year, I am thinking of not signing out textbooks unless there is someone who can not access the Moodle site at home. It makes the textbook available anytime and anywhere. Plus the students love that they don't need to carry another textbook home with them.

One thing I would like to do is record my lectures like you. When students miss class, I find even if they copy someone's notes, the students are missing important aspects of my lecture. What program do you use and like the best? Also, how do you record? Do you record as you are teaching or do you do this separately?

CEP810SS11

Permalink Reply by Scott Cox on March 5, 2011 at 12:04pm

I record as I am lecturing! The kids seem to act a lit better knowing they are being recorded as well! HA! I use the website screencast-o-matic.com to record. The site gives you many options to post your screencast afterwards. it's super easy and free. AND FUN!