Mobile Learning

Describe the Instructional Technology Trend.

More and more students have access to mobile devices, therefore it makes sense to optimize learning experiences geared toward these mobile-equipped students. Mobile learning is a learning experience students can access any time by using a tablet, smart phone, or mobile device of their preference (or whatever is most handy). It is a learning environment designed for devices smaller than a laptop, most likely equipped with a touchscreen.

How do you think this trend is going to impact learning/education?

I believe mobile learning will see the rise of lessons that conform to the features (and limitations) of mobile devices. For example, an assignment might have students go to complete a field assignment, identifying certain types of plant life, taking a picture, and uploading it to the cloud and sharing it with the rest of the class. Such assignments would have a small writing element, but would not be writing intensive due  to the somewhat cumbersome nature of entering text on a device the size of a smart phone's touchscreen. I'm not saying ALL, or even most, assignments will go this route. Just that this type of activity may be more common due to the ubiquitous technology students have at their fingertips.

Of course, mobile devices are only as good as the apps they run. That's why I think there will be more classes and lessons that show students how to create their own mobile apps. This could be handled in computer science courses, but with the advent of WYSIWYG app-building tools, students of any stripe will have this capability as well.

As an instructional technologist, what do you need to do to keep up with this trend?

To keep up with mlearning best practices, it would behoove me to familiarize myself with the research on the effectiveness of mobile learning. This would be somewhat easy to do, since there's not very much of it as of yet. With a background of what the research says, I could then network with other educators and find out what's working (and not working) for them. I would also look at non-education specific sites like Lifehacker to keep tabs on the latest apps and ideas. I believe that not all the best educational uses necessarily come from educators; that is, apps designed for something else may end up being pretty useful in the classroom as well.

Provide two resources for reading that provide more information on this trend and explain why these readings stood out to you.

• 10 Excellent Platforms for Building Mobile Apps: This article from Mashable lists several platforms for building a mobile app. If schools are going to invest so much time and energy in mobile learning, it makes sense for students to try to create some mobile learning technology of their own. Many of these web tools are free and easy to use, meaning creative students can get an app developed (and possibly on the market) quickly.
• Mobile Learning Portal, University of Texas at Austin: I chose this site because it collects a lot of research, best practices, and expertise in one spot. Someone who knew nothing about mlearning could do worse than to start looking here.

A Video from the web about the trend

This video is effectively a commercial for the Float Mobile Learning company, I like that it looks at mobile learning from a training perspective rather than a school-centric perspective. Not that there's anything wrong with schools' perspective, but an example from the corporate world puts more emphasis on how the mobile learning works in a practical sense, which I think makes for an easier sell to people.

Re-use information that you shared for your main post in the discussion forum (educreation, voki etc)

• http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=10259853&height=267&width=200
• http://www.voki.com/pickup.php?scid=10259912&height=267&width=200

3D Printing

Describe the Instructional Technology Trend.

3D printing is a technology that enables creation of real, three-dimensional objects quickly based on computer designs. A computer sends a three-dimensional design to a printer which "prints" the object layer by layer in three dimensions out of resin or plastic.

How do you think this trend is going to impact learning/education?

3D printing will have the biggest impact on education in the STEM fields, in my opinion. For example, in chemistry, an instructor could print a 3D model of a molecule to illustrate a concept. It could also allow biology students to create models of organs or bones for more hands-on study.

However, there are myriad other potential uses for 3D printing in other fields as well. For example, architecture students could create models of buildings for display purposes. Art students could use it as a type of digital "sculpture." I believe it will also have a lot of value simply for its own sake. A 3D printing club, for example, would allow students to collaborate and try to outdo each other with designs. A 3D printer would be indispensable for a robotics club as well, allowing students to fabricate custom parts to better optimize their designs.

As an instructional technologist, what do you need to do to keep up with this trend?

For me, step zero would be to actually acquire a 3D printer, either professionally or for my personal use. From there, I would familiarize myself with software such as Google SketchUp, as well as look at some of the designs available online at sites like Thingiverse. I would also want to take a look lesson plans involving 3D printing to see what's currently being done with 3D printers by other educators. At that point, I think I would try to establish what I find most engaging about the technology. Enthusiasm is a good way to engage students.

Provide two resources for reading that provide more information on this trend and explain why these readings stood out to you.

•  Purdue UniversitySchool of Engineering Education--3D Printer Lab: I chose this resource because it provides a glimpse into the day-to-day minutiae of a working lab, warts and all. It presents the realities for students such as establishing project requirements; letting students know they have to pay material costs for everything they print, regardless if it turns out right; whose project gets priority; cleaning and maintenance issues and responsibilities; and a host of other real-world concerns. It's all well and good to have pie-in-the-sky discussions on how 3D printing will revolutionize this or that, but I think it's equally important to get a clear picture of what that revolution will physically look like. Seeing how one institution manages this technology can prevent others from having to figure this stuff out on the fly.
• 3D Printing Will Transform Education: This Forbes piece gives a lot of the basics of 3D printing's uses in education, but it's the publication and the audience that stands out to me more than the content. The fact that Forbes is reporting on 3D printing in education tells me that some financially minded people think that it's both useful for education and a financially viable investment.  Forbes is read by affluent decision makers, exactly the sorts of people who could be persuaded to donate to school technology funds or to make a large grant for the purposes of a school buying 3D printers.

A Video from the web about the trend

I posted this video in my lino, but I wanted to mention it again because it so clearly demonstrates the utility and value 3D printing can have. When a technology can make such a wholesale difference in someone's life, it's clearly one that educators should pay attention to.

Re-use information that you shared for your main post in the discussion forum (educreation, voki etc)

http://linoit.com/users/wferris1/canvases/3D%20Printing%2FWearables