Exploring innovation in education (by Kevin Mandeville)
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Anthony ChivettaThe conference has kicked off! You can tune in live to watch here:
We have enormous innovation in education technology right now. However, the majority is focused on what’s happening outside the classroom. Very few are tackling issues inside of it.
This is where I am most intrigued, as I believe it is the area prime for most disruption. Specifically, real-time integration with new mobile technology shows tremendous promise.
A recent study shows two-thirds of students who try educational mobile apps perceive positive learning, with 100% of students motivated to integrate them into the classroom.
As part of a mobile initiative at Abilene Christian University, the entire student body was given a smartphone device. In a faculty survey, 92% of respondents reported that they are comfortable having students use mobile devices for a required class activity and 83% reported regular use of mobile devices in class. Most faculty saw positive results from using mobile devices in courses, including increased levels of communication and elevated student engagement. More than 94% of faculty labeled the program “successful.”
My new venture, Amplio, is aimed at leveraging mobile apps to enhance the learning experience in higher education. We have identified basic, fundamental problems & pain points for processes inside the classroom. Current inefficiencies we are developing simple solutions for include: attendance, professor evaluation, & participation/polling.
Though we’re just getting started, it’s an exciting journey to be on. I hope we see more entrepreneurs & educators alike combine their efforts to improve the experience inside the classroom.
What are other areas of inefficiency you see & pain points you have for processes inside the classroom?
If you’re a student living in Missouri, you’d better not be Facebook friends with any of your teachers – because that will soon be against the law.
According to Missouri Senate Bill 54 that goes into effect on August 28, any social networking — not just Facebook — is prohibited between teachers and students. It’s all part of an effort to “more clearly define teacher-student boundaries.” However, KSPR reports that It’s only direct social media contact that’s prohibited; teachers are allowed to create Facebook Pages where all students have direct access to the teacher in a more public setting.
» via Mashable
I find this legislation to be both comical & appalling.
Now, I get it. The intention of the bill is to enact strict guidelines to reduce & prohibit sexual misconduct.
That being said, there are already enough privacy measures in place for users to control their own online behavior. The bill encompasses all of ‘social networking’ though - not just Facebook - which is even more preposterous. Measuring such online activity will be impossible when you incorporate Twitter, Google +, LinkedIn, etc.
The extent of the bill is unclear as well. Does this pertain to all levels of schooling (elementary through college)? The magnitude of teacher relationships are significantly deepened as students progress. College professors, for instance, can have a profound impact on a student & be incredibly close as both a mentor & a friend. Having the opportunity to connect & communicate online is a fundamental right, not a privilege.
On the surface, it appears that digital immigrants are writing legislation out of complete ignorance. This hinders moving towards an open & transparent web. Our online & offline identity are not separate like church & state — our representatives need to understand this.
Furthermore, this bill now reinforces a scenario of building up borders in education rather than breaking them down. Let’s start taking action that does the latter.
I just downloaded this rap about graphing linear equations. My students are going to dieeeee.! It’s pretty good and they have other subjects as well!
Let me know what you guys think!
Did math just become ‘cool’? A mark of a great teacher is providing students with supplementary content that connects with & excites them. With today’s plethora of media, there’s no excuse not to leverage such content for a more engaging learning experience. (Props facciodellefoto)
American taxpayers invested more than $536 billion on K-12 education between 2005 and 2006, according to the U.S. Department of Education, with an additional $373 billion in taxes going to fund higher education nationwide. The educational pie is enormous, and anyone who can get his or her hands on even a small slice can expect to reap huge returns.
Next week, on August 2nd & 3rd, I will be in NYC for the #140edu Conference.
The changes in the way we live our lives must create change in the way we teach and learn. The real-time web should create profound changes in the way we think about what, how and why students and teachers can do, create and communicate. The very nature of what we consider “school” should be radically different given the powerful reach of the communicate tools our students have at their disposal. #140edu is dedicated to exploring and expanding that change.
As a student, I was able to sign up for just $15.00! Educators can also apply for just $1.40 here!
Don’t miss out on this awesome opportunity. Are any of you going?
(via Ex-Apple Designer Creates Teaching UI That “Kills Math” Using Data Viz | Co. Design)
Bret Victor showcases how design can change the way we internalize mathematical concepts. To him, math sucks because of its presentation. He believes one way to improve the learning is by changing the user interface & leveraging data visualization. This is quite transformational as a learner. Instead of calculating, we construct & curate answers & information. It becomes a converged, interactive process. Make sure you read the article above, as well as his own blog for more detailed analysis.
