Activity Sixteen (Part Four) Mobile and Tablet ComputingTechnological Innovation Two: Mobile Phones/Tablet Computing
The rate at which mobile computing applications are being developed could not have been predicted. “According to a report from mobile manufacturer Ericsson, by 2015 80% of people accessing the Internet worldwide will be doing so from a mobile device.” (Johnson & Adams,2011, p.5). The cost reduction in tablets provision has reduced considerable in a short space of time.
I have grouped these together and will not go into too much development history as this technology is adopted in some parts of the organisation but I feel that we can now consider adopting this as our Support Worker equipment starter pack with the proviso they choose the applications outside of the few core apps we agree upon and pay for those themselves.
I feel providing a tablet or providing initially a set of applications which can be used by a smart phone to each employee is now afforable and then using a core set of applications which can be converted to the main applications our learners use incorporating the Microsoft Office package as one important requirement would improve note taking, increase productivity, allow health and safety measures to be considered as they are light, easy to transport and accessible software is now being developed for them. “As a one-to-one solution, tablets present an economic, flexible alternative to laptops and desktops due to their lower cost, greater portability, and access to apps.” (Johnson & Adams,2011, p.5)
They can be used in conjunction with one another or for someone who prefers only using their mobile they can choose not to move to tablet computing but get pretty much the same applications to use “Mobiles [and tablets] embody the convergence of several technologies that lend themselves to educational use, including electronic book readers, location-based services, annotation tools, applications for creation and composition, and social networking tools.” Tablets which are almost the same in cost outlay have “significantly larger screens and richer gestured-based interfaces than their smart phone predecessors, they are ideal tools for sharing content, videos, images and presentations because they are easy for anyone to use, visually compelling, and highly portable.”
So what will be the cost of such a suggestion? Although this will not be our cost for the adoption of a table or smart phone computing solutions for staff, the following example show just what may be the cost in the future for mobile technology:
“Montreal-based DataWind has partnered with the Indian government to begin providing its low-cost tablets to the country’s estimated 220 million students. The real cost of the tablet is $40 but the Ministry of Education is subsidizing half the price. The partners hope the money local governments will save on printing textbooks (which are currently provided to students) will be redeployed toward the tablet, making them free for young generations who are being disenfranchised by an overloaded and undermanaged education system.”
More appropriate to our organisation Apple provides a discounted hardware purchase scheme for education and we can write off a percentage of the cost, as these will be depreciating assets of the organisation. My only concern is upgradability, but perhaps if we adopt a new model now and cost in replacement in to years, we can remain relatively up-to-date.
Benefits of this to our organisation:
How we should aim to implement this: In a study by El-Gayar., (Moran, & Hawkes, 2011, P.67)
“results suggest a prominent influence of performance expectancy and effort expectancy on students’ attitude towards TPC. In effect, students’ perception on the extent TPC will improve their productivity and on the degree by which TPC is easy to use (user-friendly) will positively affect their attitude towards TPC. Programs aiming at positively influencing students’ attitude (and thus acceptance) should target performance and effort expectancy. Insofar, it is evident that while performance expectancy is not the most prominent direct driver for acceptance, it continues to play an important role directly and indirectly (through attitude) affecting students acceptance of TPC.”
It can be adapted to the learners’ subject matter for instance digital arts can be accessed via tablet; it can be used to creative, mash and listen to music for performance and music technology students. Students can make evidence videos you could even video the tutorials so they could come back to such a video later to remember what was said and done during tutorials or study.
Shared video chat can be used to connect all people into virtual meeting online sessions. There are amazing applications geared toward science for those in environmental science, especially those who are seemingly disinterested may become interested in this. There are easy to create presentations online and off-line and then one cable and you’re presenting it.
The tablet could be used to learn about history through the context of document research. Many e-books are free, so it could become cost-effective. Social Media Platforms are being used more and more for group work this would give on the spot access to vital resources. Learning simulations can provide an experience not otherwise accessible to some such as flight simulation.
They evolve computing skills very quickly and it can save money, address learning styles and allow the user to access material which assist them in their understanding. Students and teachers can be offered choice, as it is shown we respond much better if we re given a choice. The teacher can assist those with additional learning needs as they can often type but can’t always verbally communicate such as hearing impaired learners or those with Autism. A tablet/mobile can keep up with everyday events using the widgits and programs provided to structure and orgnanise the day ahead. Finally, it can be plugged into whiteboards so the tutor can see what is on the screen or everybody else.
Other considerations:
Applications once downloads are updated automatically, allowing seamless delivery and file sharing so much easier with applications such as Evernote and services such as drop box. Many have Bluetooth technology and documents can be transported to the other used with permission. They are easy to take notes with reducing the time for transference to digital after the lecture. The notes can be spell checked and connected to the lecture in audio with markers placed on the audio recording. Overall, the choice is stand-alone or laptops and with the rise of tablets and the prediction Perhaps even more important for education is “that Gartner Research projects Internet-capable mobile devices will outnumber PCs by 2013. In Japan, over 75% of Internet users already use a mobile as their first choice for access”. (Moran, & Hawkes, 2011, P.67) Mobile and tablet computing is an important development that will see our organisation providing appropriate technology for the age we live within and the options to provide specific software to assist our staff develop their skills at home or work with learners on the go or in sessions at base, whilst using the possibilities of the ever-expanding Worldwide Web.
Due to the constraints of time and delivery I will make further attempts to remain as brief as possible for our final suggestion whilst commenting on its benefits and evidencing why these benefits would be.