Mobile Learning

In my searching iTunes I came across is topic called Mobile Learning. On the web page I learned that many teachers are using iTunesU in their classroom.What is Moblie Learning? Well, it is distinct in its focus on learning across contexts and learning with using mobile devices. Mobile Learning has really changed education in a big way. Almost all high school and college students have a mobile acess, not only with the iPod which many young and old students have now, but also with iPod devices along with portable computers.

Now Learning no longer happens only at a desk. Many students now expect constant access information,no matter where he or she goes. Which is exactly why more teachers(faculty) are starting to use iTunesU to help digital lessons to their young and older students. As years passed teachers were trying to do the samething with their younger students that's in lower grade level. Mostly students grade levels from K-12, but under supervision of their teachers. Now not only college students, but students from K-12 are using the MOBILE LEARNING and are learning from their desk and where every they may go.

Using iPods in Instruction

In todays' world many kids and adults use iPods for only music and pictures. But did you know that iPods can be used for much more than music and pictures. It could be used for a small secret weapon for helping many young and older students out with studying for a test or exam. If you think about it; you can use a iPod to study with on your way to school on the bus or in your car. Say if one can't catch on to something quick or don't understand something for a test; they can use their iPod by downloading a small video or maybe a use some type of audio.

On August 19, Duke University kicked off the Dukie iPod First-Year Experience, a year-long pilot program examing a new way to simulate creative uses of digital technology in academic and campus life. Eventhough many particapted in the project. Duke's Center for Instructional Technology is developing metrics by which to measures the success or failure of the various academic uses of iPods in this pilot program.

Dr Alice Christie's Web page

Dr. Christie was a Professor Emeritus at Arizona State University which she is now the Presisdent. She received her Ph.D in Educational Technology and Language and Literacy from ASU in 1995. She taught for like twenty-five years; teaching from K to 12th graders.

She now conducts workshops nationally and internationally on how technology caon help and enchance teaching and learning. One of her Educational Technology Guide is We Are All Co-Learners Video. In this guide it has many links and resources. One example is Constructivism. Constructivism is a learning theory that supports many principles:

.Learning is an active process facilitated by on environment that encourages: risks-taking, creative thinking, critical thinking
.Teachers create such enviroments to: facilitate learning and provide opportunities for self-reflection and self-evaluation
.Students and teachers learn through their mistakes

One of her site is focused on GPS and Geocahing. GPS is a satellite Navigation System. It provides satellite signals that can be processed in a GPS receiver. Global Positoning system (GPS) receivers are used in cars, boats, airplanes, and even in cellular phones. Many people use both today to get to places that they have never been to.

Is Wiki Reliable

What is Wikipedia and is it reliable to students and teachers? Well, to answer one question. It's ok for students when they are doing some type of school paper or some type of project. What's wikipedia; its a online encyclopedia that's basically free to anyone in the world I say. But most people may not know that wikipedia can be used and edited by the user as well.

In many places this has became a problem for not only people, but for business as well also. Even big names that most people think wouldn't be using wikipedia. One name is the CIA. Who would think that the CIA would use such a easy link. Wow! Very shocking; it was said that they even went to the point of making a few changes themselves, but ha maybe it's true maybe it's false.

I question myself and ask. Would you use wikipedia even though you have never used it before? Well, my answer to that. After finding out so much evil and dirty about wikipedia I wouldn't want anyone to use it not even to do a paper or a project. That's just my thought and I how feel.

Rand Pausch's Last Lecture

Who is Randy Pausch. Well, from a short period of time and doing some research; I have learned a lot of important things about him. One of the most important things I learned from him was never give up. He was a very caring person on along with being a professor, a husband, and father of two. He taught at many college students at four different University.

Harvard University, Brown University, Carnegie Mellon and MTC University, and University of Virgina. At all four University Randy Pausch touch many lifes, but not like he touch millons in his last lecture. In Sept, of 2006 Pausch was diagnosed with one of the deadly cancers there is, Pancreatic Cancer. This cancer is said to be the most deadly, because human only have 4% 5-year survival rate. With Randy doctors told him he only have 2-6 months left. Through his time left, Pausch really wanted to reach out to everyone from his students to many parents. In his last lecture he talked about CHILDHOOD DREAMS one thing that we have.

As I listen to the video and his childhood dreams; I began to think about my childhood dreams. One of his dreams that caught my eye was the one about becoming a professional football player. He never made it to the league, but one example he used was when his coach asked him and his teammates. How many players can play in a game, and how many can touch the football? They all said only one coach. The coach said "your right only one, so let me show you what the others do while that one player got the ball". In telling his story about playing football; I remember somethings or quotes he said. One that I remember was "Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted". Reading this meant alot to me and really touched me.

Before closing I want to also tell you a little about a program that he and another professor started together. The program was name "THE DREAM FULFILLMENT FACTORY". In the program (ETC) Entatainment they had students working in small groups or teams to make things Edutainment. The focus or success of ETC's was "Focus on People and Learning to work in groups. Many students joined the program and enjoyed being in it. One of the students that I remember that really touched Randy Pausch was a student name Tommy Burnette, that had a dream of writing STAR WARS movies.In my closing I can't forget these words "ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS". Tommy never gave up and he wrote the next couple movies for STAR WARS. So dreams do come true.

Can Youtube Be Used for Educational Purposes?

My second podcast I took a look at was by Adrienne Lynch, Joylyn Reese, and Brian Stevens; Can Youtube Be Used for Educational Purposes? Well, they went all the way out and gave great information about the website and how well you as a student can use Youtube to help you out in your class work and if your not understanding what's being said in your classroom.

They went on talking about how students can do projects and put them on Youtube for everyone can see. How some history teachers can use it to look up old history stories from the past. I really think they did good on giving good points about how good Youtube is for education.

Over all both podcast was great; and I think the facebook one and with teachers getting out to their students will be a big change to the educational field and facebook.

Facebook as an Educational Tool

In the podcast I had to check-out the podcast about FACEBOOK and EDUCATION by Theloa Hines and Larrica Smith. First thing first I think they did a good job on talking about facebook and what all you can do and put on there. They only spoke a short period of time about facebook and education, which I thought they were gonna talk about more.
I really like what was said about the teacher ideal about using Facebook to get closer to her students and enact with them about what's going on on campus and in the classroom. They kind of jumped off track bring up Myspace a lot and the age groups. True, fcaebook was for college students only, but just like Myspace kids can find many ways to work around that.