It is an amazing time to be teacher or student. The proliferation of mobile technology and its accompanying “app” explosion have caused a profound change in how mobile education resources are created and shared. Today, there are literally millions of apps to choose from to help with anything from rote memorization of facts using flash cards to virtual replacements of three-ring binders.
Historically, resources like these would have been conceived in secrecy, protected by a small group of developers. Perhaps there would have been a beta test or two (or not) prior to launch. Regardless, this team often would have worked incredibly hard to develop this resource that may have sunk or swam.The difference between success and failure could be as slight as requiring one too many clicks or a poor color choice.
Fast-forward to today. Gone are the days of developing in isolation. App stores have taught us to expect frequent updates, quick responses to bugs, and giant ears for listening to feedback. Motivated by likes, reviews, and star ratings, resource developers desire to please their users and crave Feedback. This results in digital learning resources tested and vetted by hundreds of teachers and students. Educators no longer have to accept a resource for what it is, but can now have a hand in what it can become. I always encourage teachers and education leaders to reach out to developers (they are required to include their email address in the app stores). If the developer is serious about improving learning they will listen and respond with updates in a future release.
In 2010, as the iPad launched, we discovered usage by an early adopter in Garrett, IN. J.E. Ober Elementary had embarked on a 1:1 pilot project in 3rd and 4th grade. This project has become a successful, regaled, district-wide program. The summer after the pilot we got together and formed a development partnership. This partnership has led to many phone calls, Skype sessions, visits, and emails discussing features for future releases of our mobile learning apps. The partnership even led to the development of a new app, SAS® Data Notebook. We worked very closely with GKB, from a roundtable discussion that sparked the project to delivery and updates in the app store.
Digital Learning Day focuses on the powerful combination of great instruction and effective technology, bringing together a wide audience of students, educators, school, district and state leaders, parents, businesses and community organizations for a fruitful discussion on digital learning. The Alliance for Excellent Education puts on this exciting event to encourage interdisciplinary conversations that break silos and inform the future of digital learning. Developers will be watching, listening, participating, and hopefully responding in their development work. I am hopeful that with focus and excitement Digital Learning Day will ignite new and existing collaborations to improve education.
