Day 1: My mobile experiences
My employers require the managers of all education departments (mine being secondary programming) to have blackberries so that the Superintendents can reach us at all times. So emails and cellphone use are the 2 biggest reasons I use the blackberry.
I really dislike using it for internet browsing as anyone who uses a B’bery can attest to. However, I do have Twitter, Facebook, Evernote, and the BBMessenger Apps that I use constantly since our data plan is so huge. As for using my mobile device for learning….not so much. I do have an e-reader that I adore, as I have stated in earlier posts, and I do use a netbook whenever I travel (smaller than my laptop and takes up less space on crowded conference tables – that way I can keep in touch with my MET groups while I am supposed to be paying attention to the speakers!
My Christmas wish includes a tablet …leaning towards the Galaxy…then I can do more of my professional reading on that instead of my ridiculously small screen on my B’bery.
Brenda
Posted in: Week 11: Mobiles
mcquaid 5:41 pm on November 14, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I’m rather curious to see how tablets and “fortified” e-readers like the Fire and Kobo Vox do this year… will Christmas push a shift? I’ve thought about getting one of the above or the tempting (because it looks good AND inexpensive) Le Pan TC 970.
David William Price 7:57 pm on November 14, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
In a recent conversation with a major multinational, they talked to me about their efforts with BlackBerries… they were something their employees already had to carry. Rather than focusing on web usage, they tailored their m-learning to the device, creating short learning interventions focused on performance support of their professional team for memory refreshers and updates in taxis and in waiting rooms just prior to meeting with a client.
In other words, mobiles don’t replace reading devices… they’re for pill-sized content just in time.
One of the interesting things about MET (and I am coming to this as a complete outsider) is its focus on K12. As an Ed Tech student, I’m coming from the corporate side where increasingly people are expected to work without offices and spend all their time in the field. I find there’s quite a culture clash.
ifeoma 9:20 pm on November 14, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi Brenda.
Thanks for your post. You have addressed one of the constraints of using mobile technology for learning- small screen size. However, there are a lot of benefits of the mobile tech that are highlighted in your post. I agree with David that mobiles are not a replacement for their larger screened counterparts but send bite size content or info just when you need it. On a lighter note, hopefully you have been good this year so Santa will have no choice but to grant your wish Christmas wish of a tablet 🙂
Ifeoma
bcourey 2:58 pm on November 15, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Yes, I find the small screen size a problem, but when I asked my grandson if he would like a netbook for Christmas, he was very firm that I would be wasting my money – he has an iPod Touch, so why would I make him use such a big device as a netbook! I have heard the same comments from some of our secondary students – they prefer the small screen…maybe it is my old eyes???
schiong 9:23 pm on November 14, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Hi,
Just curious, why Galaxy and not the other brands/model? 🙂
bcourey 2:56 pm on November 15, 2011 Permalink | Log in to Reply
ahhh..the big dilemma…what tablet?? Well, my IT department at work has been “playing” with every model made so far…and I have sat with them for many hours listening to the pros and cons of each device and playing with the screens. For sure I eliminated the iPad first – sorry Apple lovers…but not having Flash is a huge problem for us when all of our Ministry-created videos for PD are Flash, so the iPad would not work for us…so that left all of the Androids:
-the Asis Transformer was too heavy – bulky feeling
-the Playbook is intriguing with the small size (fits in my purse!) and I love the resolution – best in the whole group, but seems like the future of it is iffy and I don’t want to buy something that has a unknown future
-the Sony and HP models are pretty good too, but so far I prefer the screen performance better in the galaxy- just a personal preference. I also was told that next summer, the Galaxy will come in a smaller size as well…good news for me, but not in time for Christmas. If Santa brings me a model other than the Galaxy, I won’t be too upset, but I’m writing my letter early.
Brenda