While I was clearly able to make use of the twelve I was awarded last year, I felt that I was unable to produce the exact results I was seeking, simply because I was forced to rely on students to bring their own devices to class in order to achieve something close to the 1:1 ratio I was anticipating.  The major issue here is that I could not ask students to purchase any paid apps that I had installed on the classroom iPods. There was still inequity. With each student in the class having access to a classroom iPod, I can assure that they will have equitable access to the custom designed learning experience.

This year, I am asking for the remainder of the iPods (twelve), in addition to a few items I neglected to ask for last year, as I was unaware of exactly what I would need to establish a working microcomputer lab. The 4^th Generation iPod Touch has recently been reduced in price. The 8GB model now retails for $199.00, and as such I am asking for the following:

Twelve 4^th generation iPod Touches

$199 x 12 = $2388

Twelve Belkin Micro Chargers

$25 x 12 = $300

24 Riot Outfitters hard shell cases (for protection)

$20 x 24 = $480

This total comes to $3,168

If I were to add one wish list item not included in the original proposal, it would be One Bretford PowerSync Case for iPod. This device allows for locking storage of the devices, in addition to charging and the ability to synch all of the devices at one time.  I am currently keeping the devices locked up in my bottom desk drawer. I have power strips running into the drawer, which is where they charge as well. I am also syncing the devices one at a time with my laptop, which is rather time consuming and takes away from time that could be spent planning better ways to use the devices in my lessons and assessing student work. The Bretford case retails at the Apple store for $1,199.95. If you agree to the price for the case, I will not need the twelve Belkin Micro Chargers. The total amount of dollars I am asking for, then, would be $4,067.95

Mobile learning 1:1 initiative

(10 Years into the 21^st Century)

Educators have been talking about 21^st century skills for the past ten years.  It is starting to look as if it is becoming nothing more than an empty catchphrase in education. My proposal for a classroom set of 4^th generation iPod Touches will allow me to assist PMS in catapulting into the present . . . almost a decade into the 21^st century. Incorporating these devices into my everyday practice will satisfy all of the major requirements set forth in this application. My proposal is not about a specific project, but rather a systemic change in the way curriculum is delivered. It will be the embodiment of innovation, with unlimited educational merit. The reach will be far and long lasting. The impact will be immediate. Even though the physical product being requested is labeled an iPod, and iPods are associated with music consumption, the reality is that a classroom set of 4^th generation iPod Touches is the equivalent of adding another mobile computer lab to the building.

A brief overview of the 4^th generation iPod Touch will indicate that this device is a much more powerful piece of hardware than previously imagined. Its limitations for classroom use are strictly defined by the imagination (or lack thereof) of the teacher and his or her motivation to explore. The 4th generation iPod Touch allows for the following:

• It is an Internet ready mobile device (referred to as a “smart device”) that delivers the same Internet experience as a laptop. The web pages it accesses are the same as that of any computer. The only difference is the size of the screen. The small size is an asset as opposed to a liability because it is even more mobile than a laptop. They are less cumbersome and bulky, saving space in crowded classrooms. Additionally, the district is already using “cloud based computing” with our Google App accounts (email, documents, etc) which means that the iPod Touch can serve functionally as a producer of student created content in addition to its role as a media consumption tool. This combination of internet access with “cloud based computing” will allow students to research and compose pieces of writing and publish these works to an authentic audience on the web (via our district hosted EduBlog accounts) all from the palm of their hand. The interaction with authenticity does not end with hand held blogging, however because . . .
• The iPod Touch is both a digital still camera and an HD video camera (720pixels). These features open up the floodgates of creativity for students. They will be able to document their own work for digital portfolios, they will also be able to shoot, edit, and publish HD video to the web all from one device. Shooting, editing, and publishing video from a single streamlined device makes the process easier and therefore able to happen more frequently. The more students produce works for authentic audiences, the more meaningful their learning experiences are. Authenticity maximizes learning. With the iPod Touches, students could research an assigned topic, collaborate with peers to draft a script using Google Docs, shoot video footage, edit the footage (using the same powerful editing software available on the MacBook laptops we have in school, allowing for the addition of titles, music, transitions, and video effects), and publish the completed work to the Internet for an authentic audience . . . all from one single device.  A process that would have taken several days and numerous pieces of expensive equipment can now be done in one class period for a fraction of the cost. The implications for how we do everyday business (teaching the curriculum) will be altered forever. This is the 21^st century learning we have been seeking.
• There are limitless Apps that can be utilized in various ways to enhance the learning experience for our students. To get an idea of what is available, go here. The beauty of the app store is the diversity. Apps can be downloaded for the iPod use in every subject area and organized into folders to keep things looking clean.
• The 4^th generation iPod Touch will also serve as a tool for Special Education students to access general education content. All of the iPods come preinstalled with universal accessibility features including:
  • The ability to read back any text displayed on the screen. This takes the place of traditional text-to-speech software and actually improves upon it, as it can read web pages as well.
  • Contrast and text size controls allow for black screen and white text as well as the ability to resize objects with the push of a finger. These features will not have to be installed on special iPods, diminishing any stigma of “Special Ed iPods” versus “normal iPods.” In the true spirit of universal access, these features can also help non-Special Education students as well.
• An investment in a classroom set of 4^th generation iPod Touches will have long lasting changes. The hardware might get updated every year (there will always be new iPods with new capabilities) but the underlying utility of these iPods will not diminish. They can be used as research, collaboration, photography, editing, and publishing tools for many years to come. The software (operation systems) gets updated frequently and will usually be a free upgrade. There are new Apps everyday that can be added for specific projects (and then removed if need be). The overall wear and tear will also be less than that of laptops and traditional digital video cameras. There are no moving parts in an iPod, which means there are less chances of breaking something through normal use. These devices are more rugged as they are specifically designed to travel.

Essentially, an investment in a classroom set of 4^th generation iPod Touches will allow the classroom to become less of a lecture/teacher centered environment. The iPods will provide for an inquiry driven classroom, putting more control in the hands of students. Students will be creators of content, not passive consumers. Students will own their learning, therefore inspiring a lifelong love of the process.

The latest Horizon Report (from the New Media Consortium) states that mobile smart devices are on the verge of making a major impact in education. In one to three years we will see them being implemented more and more. Approving this project will put PMS ahead of the curve and establish us as a leader in the emerging field of mobile technology.

The projected cost for a classroom set of 20 4^th generation iPod Touches is $4,580 ($229 per iPod). When compared to a breakdown of the cheapest alternative setup that would provide the same experiences (a netbook, a digital camera, and an HD video camera) shows a savings of $2920 for a class set. Consider this: the cheapest Netbook at Best Buy (as of this writing) is $279. The cheapest digital camera is $39.99. The cheapest HD video camera is $54.99. In order to get the same capabilities from three different sources, it would cost approximately $375 per student.  With the iPod Touch 4^th generation, you get the same capabilities for $145 less. Quality of the product should also be considered. Apple is known for high quality products. The low-end comparison products listed above are the Best Buy store brand.

Evernote

Instapaper

CIA World Factbook

Google Earth

iTranslate

Ustream <–could be used to increase parent and community involvement

Dragon Dictation

Dropbox

iBooks

For a list of other online resources I have acquired through my PLN, please click here. This list is quite extensive and not very well organized (one of my weak points). If the site description is not self-explanatory in the title, I have added a brief description. Some of these are fun, some more practical than others.

I have also collected a great set of resources regarding Twitter. I urge you to give these a look. It has really changed my life as an educator.

Take the rest of the day to search and explore the possibilities. Try to pick one thing and make it fit into something you are doing.

Please take a moment before you leave to comment on the day. You don’t need to do this before 4pm today, as the site is accessible whenever and where ever you have internent access. You are not chained down to this time and place. Let’s start a conversation around the pros and cons of integrating more technology. What are you excited about? What might some drawbacks be? How can we strive to overcome those drawbacks? How can we support one another in this endeavor? What can I do to help you personally? This is open ended. Just join the conversation!!

PLEASE BE SURE TO COMMENT ON THIS POST, NOT THE ONE FROM AUGUST (WITH THE STICKY NOTE).

What does the picture suggest?

Good afternoon everybody. Before we really get started here today, please take a moment to consider the picture on the left (you can enlarge it by clicking on it). What do you think it is? What might it mean? Does it make sense at all? Make some predictions and comment your responses below.

Once everyone has commented (you should be able to see the responses both up in front of the room and, if you refresh your browser, on your screen), and we have had an actual discussion with our voices, please read this short, yet hopefully stimulating, article. When you are finished reading/exploring, please comment at the bottom of that page.