Category Archives: Fast Reads

Short bursts of inspiration take no time to read

Education & Android?

Posted on May 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

The Galaxy S III is due to arrive in the U.S. this summer.   This will be one of the cutting edge phones delivered to consumers with a 4.8 inch screen, Android 4.0, as well as an assortment of voice and video tools.

The Galaxy S III will even come with its own pen, and while not as accurate as the Galaxy Note stylus, this seems like a pretty nifty accessory.

The Galaxy S III is the latest, but there are other models with a diverse set of features and accessories (aforementioned Galaxy Note pictured below)

While I understand the Android fragmentation argument, it is difficult not to be impressed by the variety of tools available for these phones.

This leads to my question.

Why does the education community appear to be ignoring Android?

I am considering three theories for why education seems to be ignoring Android.

1. Apps – there aren’t enough compelling Android apps for education

2. Media – the media has convinced people Apple has already won

3. History – Apple has been more invested in education than Google

While it is too early for me to draw any conclusions, I believe this is an important question.   What about you?  Do you think Android is a compelling alternative to Apple for the education market?

 

 

Share

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Educational Innovation, Fast Reads, Hacking Autism, Technology Integration

Tagged , , ,

Why Should Educators Consider Android?

Posted on April 18, 2012 | Leave a comment

ZDNet writer Eric Lai reported on a Javelin Strategy & Research report, which paints a more positive future for Android than previously assumed.

“For the future, Google Android is expected to continue to gain consumer market share at Apple’s expense, until it takes the lead. While Android’s gains have come at the expense of profits, price-cutting is an established platform strategy that has paid big dividends in the past. Although Apple is clearly the innovator, the sheer number of Google Android tablets, price ranges, and carriers will soon prove overwhelming,” according to the report.

Eric Lai, Android Has 35% of the Market

Apple products have won my heart, and inspired my work for years, but in my view too many have assumed their mobile technology dominance is assured.  No where is this assumption more encouraged than in the education market.  Few and far between are those involved with education who value Android devices.

Here are five reasons educators should consider an investment in the Android platform.

  1. Android devices are more affordable
  2. Android devices come in all shapes and sizes
  3. Android devices have more innovative features
  4. Android OS  is more customizable
  5. Android is losing, so they will listen to the customer

 

 

 

Share

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Breakthrough Ideas, Disruptive Innovation In Education, Educational Innovation, Fast Reads

Finding Apps for Special Education

Posted on April 4, 2012 | Leave a comment

This is a quick post.  There are few resources as useful as Technology in Special Education.  Here in one location parents, teachers, therapists, and students can find a wide variety of apps for iOS.   Spend a few minutes here, and the possibilities for education and development appear limitless.

Technology in Special Education was recently featured on HLNtv, because of their incredible work making apps accesible to those with special needs.

You can now find the link under my exceptional education section.  Please spread the word about this incredible resource.

Share

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Fast Reads, Hacking Autism

Tagged , , , ,

Librarians Matter

Posted on March 22, 2012 | Leave a comment

“A typical middle class child enters first grade with approximately 1,000 hours of being read to, while the corresponding child from a low-income family averages just 25 of those hours, such differences in the availability of book resources may have unintended and pernicious consequences for low-income children’ long term success in schooling.

M. Adams, Beginning to read. (MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 1990)

This quote comes from a tremendous article by by Theresa Walsh Giarrusso, which you can find here.    Her article provides inspirational information about reading, but the most compelling fact is her information came from a librarian.

Librarians matter.   Mark Moran of CEO of Dulcinea Media wrote “Young Learners Need Librarians, Not Just Google” to explain this truth.

Equally compelling is an opinion piece in he New York Times by Jessamyn West, in which she makes the case for the changing role of librarians.  Here is how she describes the change…

“In older models, the librarian was more of a selector, protector and a preserver of resources. Now a librarian, or school media specialist, is more of a discerning cultivator and a matchmaker between people and the widely varied resources that meet their information needs.”

Before reading these articles I was unconcerned about librarians.  After all, I am a believer in the power of personal technology.   What enlightened me on this subject was the twitter feed of the New Leaf Learning Conference.

I am convinced teachers need as much support as possible in teaching our children, and librarians, especially those of the 21st century variety can be difference makers.

Librarians clearly matter!

Share

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Breakthrough Ideas, Fast Reads, Technology Integration