Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Mark Carbone on August 5, 2009 at 7:48pm

Helen,

Your post caught my eye as I was cruising through the posts tonight. You have posed an interesting question. Not to dodge your question, but do you have to limit your focus to one technology? The iTouch and interactive white boards would each offer different strengths in supporting learning and curriculum delivery, yet each is potentially a good example of technology integration. Perhaps the combinations of strengths is an important factor in the learning outcome.

Further thoughts or comments?

~ Mark (email: markcarbone@live.ca )

PS: We have a number of schools with interactive boards and are also planning some iPod projects for next year. Perhaps we may be able to provide you with some information.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark Carbone on August 5, 2009 at 8:31pm

Helen,

I forgot to mention in my earlier message that I have a number of iPod/iTouch in the classroom related links posted on my blog. I you are interested, have a look at the post called iPod Roundup at http://markcarbone.wordpress.com

~ Mark
markcarbone@live.ca

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Helen Crompton on August 6, 2009 at 6:07am

Hi Mark,

Thank you for the post to my question. Your thoughts were interesting, although I am a bit nervous about the size of the study. It will by my final dissertation and it has to be quite focused. I am interested in any other views you may have on the subject. You blog is interesting and your first link to the iPod touches in the classroom I am actually in very close contact with. The school is 5 minutes away.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark Carbone on August 6, 2009 at 10:35am

Helen,

I can appreciate that you need to keep things focused for the final product. Perhaps there are other variables that can be controlled to help keep the project focus in place. For example, perhaps you can limit the grade level(s) or topics rather than the technology devices.

Did you have a particular grade, subject/topic in mind? The answers to these questions might make a difference in the role technology might play both in the classroom and for your dissertation. From one point of view, limiting the technology integration options might also limit the learning. All technology tools have their strengths.

If you have something specific in mind, I can check with my staff for additional information we might have too.

~ Mark

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Helen Crompton on August 6, 2009 at 12:30pm

I am thinking perhaps 5th grade and the subject will be definitely math, although the actual topic in math will depend on the technology chosen.

Mark Carbone said:

Helen,

I can appreciate that you need to keep things focused for the final product. Perhaps there are other variables that can be controlled to help keep the project focus in place. For example, perhaps you can limit the grade level(s) or topics rather than the technology devices.

Did you have a particular grade, subject/topic in mind? The answers to these questions might make a difference in the role technology might play both in the classroom and for your dissertation. From one point of view, limiting the technology integration options might also limit the learning. All technology tools have their strengths.

If you have something specific in mind, I can check with my staff for additional information we might have too.

~ Mark

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark Carbone on August 7, 2009 at 6:33am

Helen,

I will be interested to know your final decision regarding the specific grade and topic. Are you working to a specific timeline?

I had mentioned earlier that we will have some major technology integration projects during the next school year. One will be a multi year project in a school that is being rebuilt. The new site will have interactive white boards in each classroom. We are fronting ending that environment with iPod initiatives which will begin in the fall. We are working closely with the school Principal on a number of training initiatives.

Other projects will be more focused on the iPod integration. We are working out the details now. These initiatives all plug into a larger plan of alignment between technology and learning (and the respective departments!) and building the necessary capacity in our infrastructure in terms of network capacity, wireless, guest access for non Board equipment and the necessary supports.

~ Mark

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Helen Crompton on August 7, 2009 at 7:38am

Thank you Mark, I will be in touch. I do not have too much of a time line as this will be a study that I have to finish in the next 3 or 4 years. I am beginning the PhD but I would like to know my focus so all my work in each class can be focused on this topic.

Mark Carbone said:

Helen,

I will be interested to know your final decision regarding the specific grade and topic. Are you working to a specific timeline?

I had mentioned earlier that we will have some major technology integration projects during the next school year. One will be a multi year project in a school that is being rebuilt. The new site will have interactive white boards in each classroom. We are fronting ending that environment with iPod initiatives which will begin in the fall. We are working closely with the school Principal on a number of training initiatives.

Other projects will be more focused on the iPod integration. We are working out the details now. These initiatives all plug into a larger plan of alignment between technology and learning (and the respective departments!) and building the necessary capacity in our infrastructure in terms of network capacity, wireless, guest access for non Board equipment and the necessary supports.

~ Mark

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mary Howard on August 7, 2009 at 9:32am

It just seems like interactive whiteboards are done. My opinion is handheld technology. There is a great deal of discussion in Twitter about the application of iTouch, Twitter and cellphones in the classroom.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Mark Carbone on August 7, 2009 at 11:16am

I would agree with your comment Mary. If one technology is to be picked, I would lean to the iTouch as well. I have been watching the Twitter discussions too. It seems more in line with anytime, anywhere learning - not to mention personalized learning. Ultimately, this is also a more long term sustainable direction for education institutions if they are looking a providing the technology.

~ Mark

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Nancy Smith on August 9, 2009 at 6:14am

Hi Helen,

I just went through the same struggle that you are and I chose to focus on the iPod Touch. This was partly due to experience that I had in 2001 with the Palm Education Pioneers grant and partly due to what Mary and Mark mention about whiteboards being "done". After doing a lit review, I felt that mobile technology is still emerging and changing so fast that at this time their use is under-studied and much information is needed in that area.

I'm looking at the use of the iPod Touch by college freshmen in their STEM classes and effects on retention. I am working on writing my proposal and just finished the first draft of my Chapter 1 and submitted it. I'm about to start on a more exhaustive lit review, and I'd be happy to share resources with you if you choose to investigate the iPod Touch use with 5th grade math students.

The best suggestion I have at this point is that you might want to begin a lit review of both topics and see which lights a fire or touches your heart the most. That passion will be what carries you through :)

Good luck,
Nancy

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Helen Crompton on August 9, 2009 at 6:46pm

Hi Nancy,

Please can I get your email, mine is helencrompton@hotmail.com. I would definitely like to be in contact with you and would love to share research.

Helen

Nancy Smith said:

Hi Helen,

I just went through the same struggle that you are and I chose to focus on the iPod Touch. This was partly due to experience that I had in 2001 with the Palm Education Pioneers grant and partly due to what Mary and Mark mention about whiteboards being "done". After doing a lit review, I felt that mobile technology is still emerging and changing so fast that at this time their use is under-studied and much information is needed in that area.

I'm looking at the use of the iPod Touch by college freshmen in their STEM classes and effects on retention. I am working on writing my proposal and just finished the first draft of my Chapter 1 and submitted it. I'm about to start on a more exhaustive lit review, and I'd be happy to share resources with you if you choose to investigate the iPod Touch use with 5th grade math students.

The best suggestion I have at this point is that you might want to begin a lit review of both topics and see which lights a fire or touches your heart the most. That passion will be what carries you through :)

Good luck,
Nancy

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Katie Christo on August 13, 2009 at 6:03am

Fascinating conversation. I agree also that iTouch is the way to go. I would imagine there is a good bit of data and research done already on the interactive whiteboards (although they are amazing in facilitating math instruction at the 5th grade level). Keep us posted!

• ▶ Reply

▶ Reply to Discussion

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• Next ›
• Page