Heather+Klein


 * Mobile Technologies in Education**

Mobile technologies are becoming more and more commonplace in American culture. From laptop computers to cell phones to tablets, these devices are in more and more hands-and those hands belong to everyone from the very young to the very old. Using mobile technology in education is an excellent way to individualize education in our country and transform a system that was created over 100 years ago.

Today’s students are very different from students from just 10 years ago, not to mention comparisons to students from over 100 years ago. Students are used to having instant results as well as having information on practically any topic at their fingertips. Purdy (2010) says that “lack of personalization” is a key reason that our educational system is not producing “high-quality products (students)”. With everything that today’s technology has to offer, educators have a real opportunity to individualize and differentiate learning for students. By using a device such as the iPad and providing 1:1 usage, students can interact with texts, web content, and each other in ways they haven’t been able to in the classroom before. Teachers are able to create learning experiences where students can collaborate on projects, participate in assessments with immediate results, and create digital media to further their own knowledge.

In order to make this type of change in our educational system, many factors need to be taken into consideration. “ There's an underlying assumption (or perhaps an emotional feeling) that if you simply provide more technology, it will result in the United States leading the world in K-12 education” (Purdy, 2010). This is simply not the case. School districts must fully support the integration of technology by providing adequate technical support, on-going teacher training, and, most importantly, creating a system of teacher accountability. This accountability factor must be in place to ensure that the technology is used in ways that truly individualize and further student learning instead of just having a fun new “gadget” in the classroom that gets used as a reward or novelty. Administrators should expect that teachers will use purchased technology in innovative ways that push our students forward, and teachers should expect that they receive continued training and support so that they can present their students with the most up to date techniques and learning experiences.

In order to compete in today’s world, our students need today’s mobile technology in their classrooms, accessible to all. These types of technologies are certainly not going anywhere in our society. If anything, they will become even more commonplace and more advanced in their capabilities. Educators and students are working together in a very exciting time, and these technologies have the opportunity to transform the classroom as we know it.

//Heather Klein is a third grade teacher with 14 years of experience. She haas her Master's degree in curriculum and instruction, and is working towards a second Master's degree in educational technology.//

Purdy, J. G. (2010, January 01). //Inside mobile: K-12 education needs mobile technology//. Retrieved from @http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/INSIDE-MOBILE-K12-Education-Needs-Mobile-Technology/