[View the story "Tools, Intuition & the Future of Education #iste12" on Storify ]Tools, Intuition & the Future of Education #iste12 In this ISTE panel discussion on June 25, 2012, a number of educators shared their views on what tools meet the instructional needs of their students. Storify by Tanya Roscorla Storified by convergemag · Thu, Jun 28 2012 15:52:52
A lively discussion panel at ISTE in San Diego tackled which devices are more intuitive, what should drive technology purchases and how to choose devices that meet students' needs.
Tools, Intuition, and the Future of Education panel: @drezac @henrythiele @rushtonh @k_shelton @bengrey in Room 10 at #ISTE12Diane Main
Meet the panel:
Incredibly brilliant panel starting in SDCC10 and plenty of seats to boot #iste12 #eyecandy;) http://pic.twitter.com/I79BRIcx Kristin Hokanson
The panelists shared what devices they had with them, including iPhones, Chromebooks, Android tablets, MacBook Pros, Linux-running netbooks, Android phones and HP Windows 7 laptops. They also explained how their districts and schools choose devices.
We try to find the best device for what we're trying to do instructionally at that time. ~Henry Thiele #iste12Tanya Roscorla
"The primary driving force behind the purchase of the device is money," Shelton said.
"It all depends on the needs of your students and your goals, and then you meet those with a device that will meet your criteria," Grey said.
"Device selection depends on my grade level and my curriculum." @k_shelton #iste12Bryan Doyle
“@BryanPDoyle: "Device selection depends on my grade level and my curriculum." @k_shelton #iste12” Don't forget pedagogy.Andrew Chlup
Ask "what does the device have to be able to do?" before making a decision @rushtonh #iste12 Kristin Hokanson
match the tools with with the instructional goals and try to do it for the best price @henrythiele #iste12Bryan Doyle
When asked whether their personal devices had any bearing on what they chose for their schools, Thiele said the district tools come first. His district chooses the tools. Then he uses those tools. In this case, it's a Chromebook.
"If I expect the students to live in that environment, I should be able to live in that environment as well," Thiele said.
But when it comes to deciding whether that tool is intuitive, the panelists took differing views. Grey cautioned the audience to be careful about labeling a device as "intuitive." When a company such as Apple says a device is intuitive, it's really dictating how to use the device. That's the wrong approach, Grey said. Instead, users should control the device and determine how to use it.
Why @bengrey went with linux netbooks for 3-8 grades: We want them to be able to own the device in a way that you just can't with an iPad.Tanya Roscorla
"It is not which device is intuitive, but which device teaches our kids to be intuitive." @bengrey #iste12Bryan Doyle
Taking a more moderate approach, Shelton emphasized the need for balance in weighing consumer demand with business innovation. Ultimately, he said, educators need to vet devices from a consumer and pedagogical application point of view.
In a district with netbooks, Grey has heard many discussions about how little children and older adults can use the iPad without much effort.
"It's so easy a two year old can use it. That's great but we don't teach two year olds." @bengrey #iste12 #deviceselectionBryan Doyle
When his district handed out the netbooks, students figured out how to use them in two minutes. And at a deeper level, Grey wants students to think and figure out how to solve problems with the device, not do something without thinking.
"The real question is, 'What is the device that allows you to accomplish the learning goals for your students?" Grey said. "It's not how easy you can access it; it's what you can do with it that matters."
A successful deployment is 1 where device intuitively meets learning goals @bengrey #iste12 BUT the teachers need to set appropriate goals Kristin Hokanson
As for budget considerations, districts don't always pick the right device or the cheapest device, Thiele said. In his district, teachers receive a $900 laptop every three years. But in a conversation with his superintendent, they realized that teachers can do everything they need to on a Chromebook, which costs less.
The right device isn't always the most expensive device - Thiele #iste12Tanya Roscorla
An educator in the audience posed a question based on the device-driven discussion that was taking place.
Is the right device multiple devices? #iste12 Kristin Hokanson
Grey mentioned Hokanson's tweet and expressed his struggle with the conversation.
You'll find success stories with any of these devices anywhere they go. Why does it have to be one, why not multiple? -@bengrey #iste12Tanya Roscorla
For example, five-year-olds in Grey's district use iPads, while third- through eighth-graders use netbooks. In each case, the device meets the instructional goals and is appropriate for their age. "I think you'll find that almost any of them are viable, but the bigger question is, 'What are your goals?'"
"What is the device that allows your students to accomplish their goals." @bengrey "It is what you can do with it that matters." #iste12Bryan Doyle
"We want the kids to explore and experiment with their device." @bengrey #iste12Bryan Doyle
And cost factors into that. For example, MacBooks would have cost $800,000 more than the netbooks. iPads would have been twice as much.
The total cost of ownership includes planning for the device, maintaining it, paying for professional development and disposing of software and the device, Thiele said.
@hthiele what device makes the best sense monetarily AND instructionally? Kristin Hokanson
And a high enough bandwidth is essential.
When bandwidth becomes an issue, guess what happens to that expensive device? It's gathering dust. -Kenneth Shelton #iste12Tanya Roscorla
Along with the infrastructure, the device needs to work for the students and educators who are using it.
@rushtonh the best device is the one that works best for you personally AMEN #iste12 Kristin Hokanson
While the panelists used different devices personally and in their schools, they agreed that instructional goals need to drive the device choice. A good infrastructure is essential. And device choices will vary based on grade level, cost and pedagogy.
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