Educational Technologies Blog – Mobile devices that will enhance educational opportunities

Kindle Fire HD and iPad

There is so many devices that have been developed in the last five years that the mind just boggles and bangles trying to decide which one is best for adult education.  Before  I get started, I want to say, we should boycott all this new stuff and make them just release a few, limiting the craziness out there.

Okay, now down to business.  There are many devices available the open market such as Apple iPhone, iPad, Samsung Galaxy Note 10, Google Nexus 7, and Kindle Fire HD (elearning.acm, 2013).  All are viable and offer the flexibility, portability, and accessibility necessary for adult learners to access their schools and complete assignments.  For this blog I will explore the iPad and Kindle Fire HD.

Direct from the Apple website, Apple boost that the iPad inspires creativity and hands-on learning with features you won’t find in any other educational tool.  Apple says students will want to use this device to learn.  The iPad comes with vast applications to provide everything the learner needs to learn.  Apple has moved to ensure the applications are expanding and the learning experience will be enhanced both inside and outside the classroom.  It has interactive lessons that will provide opportunities to learn, “your way.”  My previous blog identifies the numerous applications that are available to the iPad for those educators who decide this device best suit their needs.  There is a pedagogy wheel which uses the theory behind blooms taxonomy to educate.  There is no doubt if I had Apple iPads in the classroom or for use with my online students, we could easily use the internet accessibility to conduct video conferencing.  We could also use the any of the many applications to develop, implement, and enhance the education experience across the board.  The link below is directly to the Apple webpage for the iPad.  You can research this product for the benefits it provides but I say just buy one have fun exploring the possibilities.

http://www.apple.com/education/ipad/

 

 

Relatively new to the mobile education scene is the Kindle Fire HD.  Kindle has grown since the days of this device just being a mobile library.  I used my second generation Kindle reader to download and read material while on the go.  The best feature about this device was it had a text to speech capability which afforded me the opportunity to plug in my earphones and listen to the being read to me.  This proved pivotal while taking classes and visiting friends on a long drive. It has an excellent video capability watch any videos related to your class work.  Additionally the applications for this device are growing daily.  The Kindle Fire HD comes with fast and immediate access via the Wi-Fi capability, that connects anywhere, anytime.  There is a new capability for college students that open textbooks in vibrant color.  Everyday this device is becoming more viable as a cheaper alternative to the expensive iPad.  Similar to the iPad, the Kindle Fire HD can be used to enhance the learning of adult learners in aspects of learning, from video conferencing, sharing calendars, conducting collaboration for assignments.  The possibilities are endless. Follow the link for more information.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008GFRE5A/ref=amb_link_367867082_2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=left-1&pf_rd_r=0C1SHSN2PKZTEK2GHJV3&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1560404082&pf_rd_i=133141011#hardware