English: iPads can be a distraction to learning (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
We go on and on about iPads, tablets, phablets, and just about every other piece of technology out there. But the discussion is slowly changing. It’s becoming less and less about how to deploy as much technology as possible. Instead, the discussion is shifting (luckily) back over to effectively connecting with students. Check out the recent post by George Couros to see what I’m talking about. It’s easy to see that there is a slow pivot happening in education right now where we’re becoming a little less enamored by shiny new iGadgets and other tech tools. Instead, we want to figure out how to effectively use what we have in order to actually connect with students.
So that’s why it was interesting to see a comment pop up on a recent post here on Edudemic about iPads. In that post, someone who wrote as ‘student 21′ pointed out the problem of deploying iPads in school. They’re not always effectively used. This goes for iPads as much as any other learning resource (electronic or not). It’s all in how the device is used.
Technology Map – Tutornet (Photo credit: steven w)
Technology is changing at a rapid pace, so much so that it’s challenging to grasp.
While there is little uniformity in technology, there are some trends worth noting that have spurred tangent innovation, including speed (a shift from dial-up top broad band), size (from huge computers to small handheld devices), and connectivity (through always-on apps and social media).
In fact, we have some to expect nearly instant obsolescence—smartphone contracts that last a mere 24 months seem like ages. Whether this is a matter of trend or function is a matter of perspective, but it’s true that technology is changing—and not just as a matter of power, but tone.
In 2013, technology has become not just a tool, but a standard and matter of credibility. While learning by no means requires technology, to design learning without technology is an exercise in spite—proving a point at the cost of potential. And it’s difficult to forget how new this is.
Fifteen years ago, a current high school sophomore was born.
English: A plastic card with one-time passwords used for on-line banking. Passwords (originally hidden) that are already used were revealed by scratching. Scanned, 600 dpi Русский: Пластиковая карта с одноразовыми паролями, выданная банком. Уже употреблённые пароли открыты путём соскабливания защитного слоя. Сканер, 600 dpi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
“I’m not angry, just disappointed.”
“Don’t come crying to me when you’re hacked.”
“Do you even know what a password is!?”
There are lots of password checkers on the Internet, but none as humorous as The Passive Aggressive Password Machine. Instead of a boring old password strength meter, the simple website responds to entered passwords with (usually sarcastic, mostly funny) comments like the ones above.
However, collaboration between students is often a critical component of any classroom activity or project and increasingly there are options available that allow for collaborative efforts across iPads.
Below are six ways to support collaboration between student iPads that cover the spectrum of creation options that range from text to digital storytelling to video creation.
