District Administration - February 2011 - (Page 52)

SPECIAL TECH REPORT Mobile Goes Mainstream ers alike is the ability to conduct immediate and ongoing assessment. If every student had a mobile device at all times, teachers could ask questions throughout class, for example, with students answering on their devices while they worked or as they heard a lesson, enabling the teacher to adjust instruction based on this constant assessment. Applications and Web sites giving this capability to smartphones are inexpensive, and one of the most popular, Poll Everywhere, is free to use for up to 30 students. “Allowing teachers to have immediate feedback, to know if students are comprehending instruction, is one of the powers of mobile,” says Cohen from Pearson. “We spend billions on remediation in this country because testing and assessment are so occasional.” Griﬃn says Keller is currently piloting a mobile assessment program. “ is capability is so valuable, and dedicated assessment devices on the market are expensive. But with students using their own devices, it’s cheap and easy. en teachers can gear instruction based on student needs right in the moment, instead of weeks after an exam. Mobile technology has been huge for that capability.” Mobile Devices at a Glance Category Price range Operating system Screen size 10 to 17 inches diagonally Applications Ofﬁce productivity tools such as word processing, presentation and multimedia applications, edugames, Web-based cloud computing programs and many more Connectivity Wi-Fi or wired Internet access Battery life 2 to 6 hours Multimedia These devices are capable of viewing and editing video, pictures or audio and creating a variety of presentations; many have webcams and/or a microphone. Netbooks / Laptops $200 to $1,000 Microsoft Windows, Linux or Apple OS Summary: Laptops and netbooks from HP, Asus, Apple and others continue to be popular with schools, but their relative expense, awkward size and ongoing maintenance issues still prevent ubiquitous implementation. MP3 Players $100 to $400 Apple iOS or Windows, if any 3 to 4 inches diagonally Thousands available in the Apple App Store for the iPod Touch, including many for creating and editing content Wi-Fi 8 to 36 hours Some can record and edit video, audio or photos, connect to the Internet over a Wi-Fi network, or download a variety of applications. Summary: The iPod, the dominant MP3 player on the market, now comes in a touchscreen model and has many capabilities for creating and consuming content, but it does not offer the cellular connections or inexpensive group-leasing options of smartphones. Portable Game Systems $129 to $250 Low powered and unique to device 3 to 4 inches A wide variety of educational games are available, as either cartridges or downloads. Wi-Fi 5 to 10 hours Nintendo DS includes a stylus pen to use with touchscreens, as well as two cameras and a microphone for taking pictures and recording audio. Summary: Many schools have found the Nintendo DS in particular to be a useful and inexpensive multimedia Wi-Fi enabled device, but the applications and capabilities for such devices are limited. Tablet PCs $499 to $829 Apple iOS, Google Android, Blackberry OS 8 to 10 inches diagonally Thousands are available in the Apple App Store or Android Market, with many uniquely designed to take advantage of these portable touchscreen computers. Wi-Fi standard; 3G 6 to 10 hours models available along with a subscription fee These devices can display high-deﬁnition videos and photos and offer many applications, but many lack a camera for creating multimedia content. Summary: Apple’s iPad spawned a new segment of computing and excited many educators, but critics say tablets are too expensive, bulky and limited to allow for ubiquitous adoption in K12. Smartphones Google Android, Free to about $200, with con- Apple iOS, tract purchase Blackberry OS Around 4 inches Android Market and Apple Cellular, Wi-Fi, App Store offer thousands, 3G or 4G networks including free productivity, communication and collaboration tools. 5 to 10 hours Cameras for producing pictures and videos; applications and a microphone for recording and listening to audio, watching streaming videos, and creating other content. Summary: The HTC EVO, iPhone and BlackBerry Curve are good examples of the latest generation of powerful smartphones, which continue to increase in capabilities while remaining a handheld size. 52 February 2011 District Administration

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - February 2011

District Administration - February 2011
Contents
Going Out of Print
From the Editor
News Update
Technology Update
Safety & Security
District Profile
Administrator Profile
Successful Strategies for English Language Learners
Mobile Goes Mainstream
Virtually Possible
Problem/Solution
New Products
Product Focus
Superintendent’s Insights
Crisis Response
Student Counsel

District Administration - February 2011