11 Future Forwards: Exploring Frontiers in Education
recommendations were made to iterate the prototype the following
academic year, and to focus on capturing the quality of student learning in
mobile learning contexts.
Student Learning Prototypes 2015-16
Two rounds of these prototypes took place - one round of the prototypes
was offered between January and May of 2015 and the second round began
in September of 2015 and continued until May of 2016. Additionally, in
2015, a survey was sent to all the secondary school teachers and students
to examine how and what they were using their mobile devices to support
teaching and learning. This was a follow-up to the survey sent in 2012 so
that the two sets of responses, separated by three years, could be examined
for changes.
Participants
Initially, early in 2015 and then in August 2015, calls for application of
participation of the prototype went out to the faculty. Participating teachers
were offered reimbursement for a mobile device of their choice (iOS or
Android, smartphone or tablet). Purchases of apps were also reimbursed.
If the teachers required the students to have access to a device, an email
communication was sent out to the parents, requesting that the student
bring in a personal or family device. If they were unable to provide one, the
school would provide the means to share a device. Students’ purchase of
apps were also reimbursed.
Over 30 teachers and 250 students have now participated between the two
rounds of prototypes. Below is a breakdown of the participating teachers
and subject areas:
KG to grades 5
Creative Arts EC3 - Grade 1
ES -MS Music
MS & HS EAL,
Theatre Arts/Drama