Venegas's short article presents the possibility of using apps without the pricey iPad/tablet or smartphone. This is especially good for lower elementary level students where cell phones and tablets are less commonly owned by the students. That is not to say it is not helpful to high school and middle school students as well. Although Venegas doesn't mention it, the ability to use school computers with Chrome could help deteriorate the advantage students with more access to technology have. No doubt the students with iPads and smartphones will still have an edge based on the portability and constant accessibility of their devices but incorporating Venegas's ideas makes app based projects a viable possibility. Teachers could allow students to either use their own devices or the computers owned by the school. This still creates a small issue of whether the students who opt to use the school computers will be ostracized by the students with access to their own devices. From my own classroom observation and discussions with teachers in the Carlsbad Unified School District, I have learned that administrators are no longer speaking up about the presence of technology in the classroom. In one class I observed, nearly every student had their cell phone on their desk while the teacher was talking. One student even asked a history question and the teacher responded by telling him to look it up on the phone on his desk. I mention this experience because I think it just goes to show, no matter what, students are going to bring technology into the classroom. However that does not have to be a bad thing. I think Venegas's idea to incorporate educational apps without the need for every student to own the technology needed to use it offers educators a great opportunity to introduce their students to exciting new educational tools without too much concern about favoring the students with access to technology.
The article best addresses the first ITSE standard because it facilitates and promotes student creativity and learning.
Citation:
Venegas, Juan C. (2013). Learning Connections: You Don't Need an iPad for These Web Apps! Learning & Leaning With Technology. Retrieved, from http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-leading/l-l-march-april-2013/LC
This would be great if they can make this happen. Not all kids have access to tablets or smartphones but if apps can be made more accessible it will close a gap that may be present. I think your experience observing is interesting. I had a similar experience. I was at an Encinitas middle school in an 8th grade class and the teacher had the class use their cell phones to access her teacher webpage and take an online test. If they didn't have a smartphone they could use a school laptop. Only two students had to go get a laptop. After they were done with the test, they were instructed to play an online learning game for the rest of the class. I was pretty blown away as it wasn't too long ago I was sitting in a classroom and even if your phone vibrated in your backpack you would be in trouble.
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