iBeacon Technology in Education

New technology providing a beacon for learning

In most schools the students need to find the resources, and access the learning. This is often a complex, frustrating and time consuming process. What would happen if the learning found the students? Welcome to Learning Zones and iBeacons in Education.

Watch Video HERE: 

http://youtu.be/S04viOYnSg4

iBeacon technology in Education

I love new technology and making connections with student learning. When I heard about iBeacon technology I jumped at the opportunity and started making plans. These included purchasing a set of Estimote Beacons and working with the creative Kurt from Vektor Digital in the States to create a prototype that would explore the capabilities of iBeacon technology in an educational context. Having extensively explored the benefits of Augmented Reality in Education for the past two years, I was excited about the possibilities that iBeacon technology would bring to the education sector and schools throughout the world. I wasn't disappointed with the results!

So I started exploring/planning the concept of "learning zones", geographical positions located around school where students could go to learn and explore online learning experiences. I discovered that the iBeacon technology actually found the students (as they walked throughout the campus) through instant notifications and digital prompts. This excited me as this was the first time that the learning found the students instead of the students having to navigate the complexities of elearning portals and confusing Intranets. 

The students receive a notification as they pass by a "learning zone", and the follow up activity on the EduBeacons App, similar to that of the beloved children's game "Hot and Cold", drawing on the students inquiry based natural instincts.

Our 3 Learning Zones include:

1. The Library Learning Zone where students are instantly given video book reviews.
2. The Technology Learning Zone where students run through a series of video tutorials to teach them the basics of coding.
3. The Art Learning Zone where students can create master pieces through video tutorials custom made by our Art Teacher.

There are other possibilities within a school context that will be explored.

Beacons that:

1. Welcome Parents when they enter the schools gates and prompt them to explore the school calendar and daily events.
2. Give warning to turn their phone to silent when they enter a performance centre.

This is just the beginning of this technology and I have no doubt others with improve on my work in the educational field quickly and effectively. For now I'm content in the knowledge that true edtech magic happens through a persons imagination, skill (thanks Kurt) and global collaboration! These are the 3 qualities we should be prioritizing in schools throughout the world!

Keep innovating.

Paul

Don't underestimate the teacher in the edtech classroom

Just recently with a year 4 class I introduced a project involving

"creating a digital game using the App Hopscotch".

It was a magnificent project with our students learning many things, including higher level thinking skills. I designed the project, demonstrated the basic skills of the hopscotch App and made sure I had lots of opportunities for students to collaborate with each other.

Watching this was amazing. The unit was basically running itself. I decided to conference some students who I thought were struggling and run some sessions with them.

At the end of the unit it was time for each student to show me their game, and receive a mark based on the detailed criteria. What did I discover?

Those students I conferenced with did far better than my tech savvy students. See we all know the importance of feedback and goal setting. The students who I conferenced with did just that. They were able to identify issues, problems with their learning and set goals and identify students and adults in the class who could help their learning. This doesn't come natural to the students and needs to be fostered and encouraged. I can't think of an App that individualises learning for young students like this!

We should never understand the importance of the teacher. As Hattie states (through his extensive research) Teachers are still the most important element in a child's learning!

Yes students can learn independently, but we should never fall into the habit of assuming technology (or the App) will teach our students. The teacher brings about taking the learning to the next level and this should never be forgotten.

My coding tutorials on YouTube can be found:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8BMVDk3VSQ&list=PLprciURrC7Fu86bqB5P4nO3GjVuY5RVx4

Paul

About Paul:
2013 Finalist - International EdTech Digest Awards Recognition Program honoring tools, trendsetters and leaders in the education and technology sector. The distinguished awards program recognizes outstanding solutions―and the best and brightest minds―in education and technology.

2013 Finalist - EduBlogs Life Time achievement award.

Apple Distinguished Educator Class of 2013. Paul is a leader in the implementation of Augmented Reality in schools to improve learning outcomes, Professional Development of staff with integration of ICTs, and has expertise in the implementation of mobile devices into pedagogical frameworks.

Creator
The Tellagami Project (Presentation)
Teaching students to code on the iPad (iBook)
Augmented Reality in Education (iBook) 
10 Amazing lessons for the iPad Classroom (iBook)
Formative Feedback for Learning and Science AR (Apps)

"Paul, you are a real Leader" - Dr Heidi Hayes Jacobs, author and internationally recognized education leader known for her work in curriculum mapping, curriculum integration and developing 21st century approaches to teaching and learning.
"Paul we designed iBooks Author to be a tool that teachers could use to create content that they develop for the classroom and can share with the world. It is great Paul that you have been using it that way to great success." - Philip Schiller - Apple’s Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing.

Tellagami Project building momentum

I have been overwhelmed with the response to the Tellagami Project. I thought it would be a wonderful platform for teachers and edtech leaders to share what they believe in and what they are doing in classrooms. The messages I'm getting at the moment are amazing and I hope I can share with the world.

Why Tellagami? I love the App. I use it with my students all the time and thought I would get adults having the same benefits as my students.

The Global aspect of this project is what is most pleasing. Powerful messages from across the world, all speaking from the heart and with passion.

I have started putting together all the Gami's and I think everyone will be surprised with how it turns out. Here is the opening credits teaser.

Still time to get your message/Gami in? Absolutely. Details of procedure can be at:

http://appsbypaulhamilton.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/collaborative-tellagami-project-looking.html

Collaborative Tellagami Project - Looking for Edtech Gurus

Hi everyone

Looking for EDtech Gurus to be part of a project that pulls together some of the most inspirational messages for the Edtech community. You have an opportunity to inspire others in what will be a sought after and influential short movie. What I require:

1) Short 30 sec Gami using the Tellagami App or website:
2) Must follow the below format
3) Let you passion come though in your short speech
4) Email movie file (from camera roll) to appsbypaulhamilton@gmail.com
5) All movies will be put together by Paul into a short film (presentation)
6) please change the avatar as much as possible to avoid duplicates

Template for narration is simple:
My name is............(insert name) and I am............(what you do). I believe..........(insert statement that defines you and how you believe technology plays a part in education).

So what do you need:
Tellagami App
Create a short Gami using your own voice (it's really easy!!!)
please change the avatar as much as possible to avoid duplicates
Make sure you save to camera roll first and then email me straight from camera roll.

Quick tutorial here on how to make a GAMI
Link to App HERE
Link to website HERE

Example structure here