Eclectic Technology

David Gagnon is talking to a group of educators about how to use mobile devices for learning. In his work as an instructional designer with the University of Wisconsin’s ENGAGE program, Gagnon has given this workshop many times. But these days, he says, things are starting to change.

“How many of you are currently using an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch?” Gagnon asks the teachers... What happens next demonstrates how the availability of communications technology has grown exponentially in recent years: 89 percent of this group owns a mobile device, and they want to know how to use it in their classrooms...

This article is part of a series exploring mobile learning. Other posts in this series are located at: http://spotlight.macfound.org/featured-stories/entry/amidst-a-mobile-revolution-in-schools-will-old-teaching-tactics-work/ and ;

http://spotlight.macfound.org/featured-stories/entry/welcoming-mobile-rewriting-acceptable-use-smartphones-and-social-media/ ;

"The online educational video game site iCivics, created in 2009 by former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor that features civics curriculum, has partnered with EverFi, an ed-tech company focused on K-12 and higher ed. And through the partnership comes a new initiative Commons – Digital Town Square, offered free to all K-12 schools."

According to this post this game will provide an adaptive feature, have "a variety of media including simulations and animations as well as pre and post-assessments and behavioral surveys." It also includes social components, badges and avatars, and they will be meeting some of the Common Core standards. To go directly to this new iniative - Commons - Digital Town Square:

http://everfi.com/civic-education.