Rutgers University and Apple's higher education team are collaborating on a Mini-MBA in Digital Marketing that will fully integrate the iPad.
Rather than placing the entire course content online, the program will take place in the classroom, but will provide students with iPads loaded with all required reading material, videos and custom applications.
Eric Greenburg, who is the director of the program, is hoping to merge the benefits of the instructor-led learning as well as the power and flexibility of the iPad. In an interview for The eLearning Coach, Mr. Greenburg says that he believes that the iPad has the potential to create new markets, and new ways for people to create content and communicate with one another, giving the iPad the potential to transform the classroom experience. He also outlined a plan to set up social networks for students to communicate both during and after the course.
It is very interesting to see how certain organisations are taking the initiative to incorporate both traditional methods of education and e-learning methods, to come up with innovative methods of teaching which may be more appealing to the students, thus increasing their interest and commitment towards their course.
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Now that's an interesting idea. I am sure that the course will increase the students' interest, especially seeing all the hype that iPad has created (its launch was even more successful than the iPhone one). Young people will inevitably be attracted to current market trends, and reading a degree that revolves around the iPad will certainly prove to be successful.
ReplyDeleteOn a more negative note, I fear that this may all be a publicity stunt from Apple. I am very much doubtful that Apple are promoting such an initiative for the students' sake. What will happen once the iPad fad is over? Will Apple still promote these courses? One must remember that these technologies have a rather short life time, and are superseded by other technologies in a few years (sometimes months) time. If the course is a long one (say 3 years), by the time the students complete it, iPad would have probably be old hog.
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Christian Calleja
IICT Lecturer
The concept behind the course is a good one, as it basically promotes a blended learning approach. The idea of providing equipment with all data pre-loaded into it would be excellent at preventing the distractions possible through random browsing of the internet.
ReplyDeleteBesides, it would also be a good opportunity for students to get familiar with the new technologies. My worry is that equipment (at least within MCAST) isn't updated all that often, so the concept may be better suited to industrial trainers. Again, this depends on the level of investment allocated.
Well, let’s admit it, it had to happen at one point or other. Educational institutions with the right budget can afford to plan and design a blended learning course using technology and traditional teaching methods in a way that provides exactly the same facilities to all students.
ReplyDeleteThe advantages of such a system are various:
1. all the necessary material is installed in the iPad and ready to use: No need to lose time to download software or debug installation problems, graphics rendering etc etc
2. the iPad can be set up to lock out games, and other “distractions” to the student. In other words it would be dedicated just for eLearning. That what really be great.
3. The iPads can be set up in a way that any assessment work done on them can be loaded in a central server and synchronized as and when the tutors/system administrations require.
4. The students would be motivated to use the equipment to learn their subject.
I believe that eventually it’s the way to go in education. The problem is the financial aspect. The investment in IT resources in our institutes is already very low. Unfortunately this means that in all probability we will lag behind before we make the jump.
What about interactive learning in the modestly IT-equipped classroom? While I certainly dream about this classroom environment, to date I think that the investment required to get hold of an iPad for each student is far too large for most educational institutions to incur. I’ve read all previous posts on M-learning and iSchools with great interest. While M-learning is probably the cheaper option for any learning institution, as yet I think it is still too early to assume that all the students will own a smartphone or an iPad – although most students do seem to own the former. It will also take some time for all lecturers to learn how to exploit this technology to create interactive lectures.
ReplyDeleteMicrosoft Mouse Mischief could be an alternative to teach students in an interactive way and it only requires a modest investment: one computer, one projector and a mouse for each student. While I do not intend to make a sales pitch for Microsoft – I certainly think that the software Microsoft Mouse Mischief can be useful in some of our classes at MCAST, especially Foundation and pre-Foundation classes. This software allows all the students in a class to interact directly with the content being presented and therefore students become active participants. Students will be engaged with the material being presented and teamwork and sharing will also be promoted in the process. Students will also become conversant with basic IT skills – a key skill to the modern workplace.
Click here to watch a clip on Microsoft Mouse Mischief
Click here for more information and a free download of Microsoft Mouse Mischief.
I have followed this blog with interest since I believe more than ever that courses through the use of iPads are the best way forward for MCAST where BTEC courses are involved.
ReplyDeleteSuch courses lend themselves beautifully to be worked out through the use of iPads since the learning outcomes are clear and to the point and are easily adaptable to such media.
The sources of information to satisfy the grading criteria and the indicative characteristics are at hand and what remains is for us to put them in the electronic format. I am sure we all are capable of doing this.
Assessment would be easier to set and correct through the use of the iPad and this will cut down on time wasted on paperwork - an advantage for students and lecturers alike.
Internal Verification will be rendered simpler and again cut down paperwork.
Results will be easier to issue as well and quality assurance will be easier to check.
I believe that the necesary funds can be found and put aside for this project which could be started simultaneously with the opening of the new Campus. I also firmly believe that a pilot project should be started immediately to test the iPad course idea with a chosen BTEC class.
I am not of the idea of not doing anything just because other more efficient hardware and software is issued in the meantime. If such attitude is taken, then we might as well close down MCAST since the resources we are using at the moment are archaic by today`s standards.
The above idea is certainly interesting and I believe quite appealing for students.
ReplyDeleteI also find appealing the idea that Ipad can be used as a possible substitute for expensive or outdated textbooks. This will suggests the recognition and accreditation of online publications that will be made available for academic use. Printed textbooks have the limitation that they contain information that becomes out of date not long after publication. On the other hand online journals can guarantee contemporary information and keep teachers and students abreast with emerging trends and research.
iPad
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, new technologies used for learning should be accordingly structure to serve their intended purpose. I get frustrated looking and searching for information in the web, and results are many “smoke”, unclear conclusions and information from unreliable sources.
A platform for education should contain information from reliable sources, free from layman scripts and rookie chatting. The electronic platform must be complete with tools and official software packages essential for the learning in accordance with the educational framework.
As Louis Aquilina expressed, iPad has the characteristics and requisites to be an integral educational platform. Its use may contribute to the learning strategies. The accessibility of this system and portability as a handy device make it a versatile tool to reach and overcome the boundaries of conventional learning. iPad is an alternative educational tools, for accessing course ware and referenced documents in digital format, and course information.
Setting an educational electronic platform interfaced and supported for iPad usage would facilitate accessibility of learning. iPad is a solution for implementation of; standardised educational tools and applications through a common educational electronic platform.
Despite of the advantages of such technologies in the class room, I think that they could also distract the students. A few weeks ago I took my students to the library to do some research for their assignment, and even though they had a deadline for their assignment, most of the students were browsing through web-sites not related to their assignments. So even though Facebook is not accessible at the library, some of the students still couldn't resist browsing through some of their favourite web-sites. So I would rather have my students in a traditional kind of class where distractions are less. Despite this, I think that technology is useful in class to a certain extent. For example I find powerpoint very useful in order to present sentences to students when teaching grammar. This is very useful because I don't have to write these sentences on the board, and so I avoid losing time and I could send these notes to my students by e-mail; and so the students wouldn't have to write down their notes during the lesson. Powerpoint also helps me in my lessons because the examples I provide are the same for each lesson. So technology helps me in my lessons but I think that the human contact in class is still very important.
ReplyDeleteI do agree with Christian's comments. In an ideal world we will have the latest technological equipment (such as iphone, ipad, etc) so that we can perform our teaching tasks in a better way. Having such technology would definitely help the students, as such stuff is appealing to anyone, let alone to students (usually between 15-20 years of age). Unfortunately the gadgets that come with these latest technological devices can be of great distractions for our students as well. I had the same experience with my students throughout this scholastic year - being at the ICT institute we have computers in each class, whenever we use the computers there will be a small percentage of students who waste a lot of time browsing websites which are not related to the subject. I think that with these latest gadgets the students will be even more distracted in our institute. Every systems has its advantages and disadvantages and with such technology there is no exception
ReplyDeleteThe iPad launched by Apple, is a super-sized iPod Touch, but has extra features such as microphone, a connection for video, and also a bookstore. Apple considers this new device as good for e-learning, and also includes other uses for education and training. In other words, Apple is not treating this new iPad as just a laptop without a keyboard. This innovative facility provides support for online content, including bookds, magazines, music, video and also Web access. However, due to its bigger display, it is a better platform for mobile learning than iPhone or the iPod Touch.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the iPad also presents certain problems, that are suggested by Apple themselves. First of all, there is no camera. This might limit the real learning experience due to the fact that the virtual classroom will just me an audio experience. Moreover, the iPad lacks the support for Flash. Lastly, this iPad will not be considered as a Mobile device by everyone, as it is a bit big to carry in ones’ pocket.
In the meantime, the iPad is an important step forward in the evolution of devices that can be used for e-learning.
I agree that iPads are also the latest revolution of e-learning since they are one of the latest trends in the market.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the fact that iPads have wi-fi and thus internet access, it might lead to easier and more accessible distance learning. This is due to iPads are lighter and smaller than laptops making it more appealing to carry around. Webinars and one to one interaction can also be possible through its 3G application.
Additionally, the fact that it has a larger screen compared to smart phones, it is surely easier to read e-books and e-papers. This might lead to more people reading papers.
However, from a small research about iPads and their current market prices, I can reckon that they are still very expensive and at this stage it is quite impossible to utilise such devices at MCAST or any other Maltese schools.