Lots of stuff on here on the driving of technology into education. I think this Christmas will be a tipping point. Hundreds of students will receive multi-purpose mobile gadgets far beyond a mere DS or PS VITA. As the Scratch tutorial apps below indicate, there’s a commercial opportunity for educators to work with developers to create the curriculum-supporting apps that are needed. (And the Creative Industries Innovation Fund would be right there to help for Northern Ireland start-ups)
- Tactilize – Publish Interactive Content, for iPad. Easily. Instantly.
- Innovation in Education: Why Don’t The Game Changers Change The Game?
- James Clay on “How are Tablets being used in learning and teaching” on YouTube
- Microsoft has Failed (on SemiAccurate)
- ScriptKit is a programming app that lets anyone create a simple iPad app by dragging & dropping code
- techBASIC brings the power of a desktop computer to your iPhone/iPad for programming, collecting and analyzing data, and visualizing and manipulating stunning 3D graphics.
- Scratch tutorial app update and new GameMaker tutorial app for iOS
- On the transition from 1:2 laptops to 1:1 iPads – Reflection on the first months in school
- For Teachers: How can a teacher use the iPad to stay organised?
I’ll finish this off with a quote from Bill Gates:
“Just giving people devices has a really horrible track record. You really have to change the curriculum and the teacher” Bill Gates
Of course, he was talking about devices loaded with his software but the sentiment remains. Just handing out devices isn’t enough. There’s a “human” part of the plan (where you integrate with lessons, pastoral care) and a “technology” part where you integrate with systems and networks.
