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Members of the curriculum development and teacher education departments recently exchanged opinions about migration of
content to mobile devices. The participants in this e-mail exchange are Director of Education Matt Frankenbery, Teacher Education
Specialist Mark Maskell, and Education Manager Tim Cannell.
E-mail #1
Subject: Migration of content
From: Matt
To: Tim Cannell, Mark Maskell
On a daily basis, the national education newsletters I receive
talk about the inclusion of mobile devices into classrooms across
America. As you guys know, our most recent development within
the Pitsco Math solutions (Algebra Academy and Signature Math) is
utilizing the power of mobile devices. Our initial strategy is to use the
device as a teacher management tool. One of the powers of mobile
devices is the efficiency of communication, which is the main reason
we are using them in our current math solution. We now have three
ways to communicate student progress to the teacher: the student’s
computer, the teacher’s computer (when logged into the management
system), and a mobile device. This is obviously the tip of the iceberg
when it comes to using mobile devices in the classroom. What other
uses of mobile devices do you see in Pitsco’s future? Do you have any
concerns with mobile devices and our solutions?
E-mail #2
Subject: Re: Migration of content
From: Mark
To: Matt Frankenbery, Tim Cannell
The inclusion of mobile devices such as iPads and smartphones
has the potential to significantly improve a teacher’s efficiency and
effectiveness during class. Many schools have long adopted a one-to-one
computing environment for students in select classes, fundamentally
changing the ease and process by which learners access instruction and
information. For the instructor, however, the mobile computing revolution
yields direct benefits in a variety of areas. The most common advantage
is with respect to instant access of student grades and progress. In a
one-to-one computing environment, successful facilitation demands that
a teacher be moving throughout the classroom the majority of the time.
Mobile-based information retrieval is critical to ensuring the instructor
can maintain his/her presence among students the entire class period.
In addition to data management, handheld devices have the power to
deliver critical information to the teacher at the moment they need it.
Answer keys, grading rubrics, enrichment materials, and supplemental
activities are just a few examples of how technology can be used to
deliver educational content and resources. Mobile computing and related
technologies will continue to expand their reach into the day-to-day duties
of a professional educator.
E-mail #3
Subject: Re: Migration of content
From: Tim
To: Matt Frankenbery, Mark Maskell
This technology is commonplace for the vast majority of
students, and I believe teachers are quickly joining the ranks. The
hurdle has always been how to get the students to use mobile
devices for the classroom while not updating their status on a
social networking site or texting friends and all those things that
translate to a disruption of the learning process. I’ve read stories
about some schools embracing this technology, and they have
taken the approach of trying to educate students concerning usage
that is meaningful and productive to their education. Even though I
took smart phones away from students when I was teaching, I tend
to agree with the approach of making mobile devices work for the
classroom instead of trying to fight it.
Giving a shout-out to Mark, I have to say that he has touched
on a fairly common phrase that I’ve heard associated with mobile
devices and that is “moment of need.” To me, that’s the true power
of this technology. I don’t need to spend time providing examples
of how anyone with a smart phone or tablet reaches for it anytime
there is a question. We are no longer tethered to traditional
resources that might limit us to having access to them at only
certain times of the day. The proper use of mobile devices holds a
ton of potential for uses with Pitsco curriculum.
E-mail #4
Subject: Re: Migration of content
From: Matt
To: Tim Cannell, Mark Maskell
Great feedback, guys!
As you might know, our next move into the mobile device
world will occur with our summer 2012 release of a Cloud-delivered
version of our Signature Math solution. Within this
solution, students can access their Individualized Prescriptive
Lessons™ via an iPad or a browser. This will be the first time
Pitsco Education has offered anytime, anywhere access to its
math solution.