Mobile Writers
Fall 2013 pilot project utilizing lessons learned in this action research
One change
The iPad mini will be used in the Europe semester campus abroad program this Fall. The students will load all of their textbooks on these mobile devices using the Amazon Kindle app, write and share the papers they write for the course and use these tools to engage in the adventure at every turn. The mobility of this technology will enable knowledge building to occur wherever the students are. The one change needed is to find the right word processing app to enable mobile media technologies to be leveraged by mobile writers.
What They Need
Word processing software has become the pencil and paper of much of our daily writing. There are still many situations where jotting down ideas in a spiral notebook or sketching out ideas on butcher paper are ideal but for the most part, we type. When we type words into a computer, there are certain features that we expect to be ready to use. Some of these are:
- Spell check and dictionary - General formatting
- Online and offline writing and viewing - Sharability
- Markup and comments
- Spell check and dictionary - General formatting
- Online and offline writing and viewing - Sharability
- Markup and comments
Going Mobile
Mobile versions of the software used on our iPhones and iPads do not always have the complete set of features that are found on our desktops and laptops. For example, Google docs computer version has spellcheck but the mobile version has limited spell checking. Many of us have become so used to this feature that it almost seems like writing on a piece of paper should have spell check. Another feature is for the students to have the ability to share documents with their teacher and each other even when there is no internet connection. It is almost as if we had enough time, it may almost be worth it to develop our own app that would have all the features that are needed.
In Theory
In his studies of the impacts of cell phones and tablets on learning, Kurt Squire (Squire, 2009) refers to the effect these tools have as creating a "Multiplicity of Place". When students can write reflections and capture images from diverse locations and bring them together, this knowledge building is personal and not constrained by place or time. Vygotsky also focused on the connections between people and the context they interact in shared experiences. The implementation of an effective mobile writing tool will enable student learning no matter where they are and in the case of this program, to be able to reflect on the amazing art and literature they will experience.
Action
The action is to discover the best mobile word processing app or software, or combination of software/apps that will give the fullest set of tools for students and educators. Google Docs, Evernote, Pages, iAnnotate are currently the top potential apps to test. These and any others that come up will be tested against the list of features needed for this group of students to go almost completely paperless for four months across Europe. I will work with the faculty to simulate the course circumstances to determine if an effective solution can be found. The possibility that this one change will be adopted and enacted is good, paving the way in my digital habitat for future mobile writers.