Mobile Technology Invades Education – And the Kids Love it!

It’s easy to see that mobile technology is invading nearly every aspect of our lives. We’ve even seen the use of mobile penetrate into healthcare. People of all ages are using mobile technology to make their lives simpler, get information faster, and generally be more enjoyable.

Lately, we’ve become particularly interested in how mobile technology is being used in schools.

In El Paso, Texas, ninth graders received iPad 2s as part of their freshman algebra class. From an article in the El Paso Times:

“District officials said the Socorro district will be the first in Texas to use the HMH Fuse: Algebra 1 application. The full-curriculum application, created by textbook maker Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for the iPad, allows students to learn interactively at their own pace. The iPad 2′s come complete with the electronic textbook. Each chapter includes notes, video lessons, quizzes and homework – all at a touch.

Sida said he had never played with an iPad before but figured most of it out after one class period. He said he feels very lucky to be in a class selected for the tablets and is going to make sure to keep it away from his younger sibling.

‘It’s a one in a million chance,’ he said, smiling at his shiny iPad 2.

Sida said he normally he finds math boring or difficult, but thinks it will be more bearable and maybe even fun with his new tool.”

And this isn’t the only school to do something like this. Every student at Lake Minneola High School in Lake County, Florida, will receive an iPad this year, instead of textbooks.  In Massachusetts, an elementary school is loaning iPads to all students in grades 3 – 8 to use both in class and at home.

This use of mobile education is very intriguing – but we want to hear what you have to say!

Do your children use mobile technology in their classrooms? What do you think about the idea of using mobile tech in education?