EDUC 6177 WEEK 4 Assignment 1

                This week we were asked to investigate two mobile technologies that enhance adult learning. I chose to write about mobile software applications that contribute to learning in general.

                One website that I find to be most beneficial is entitled, "Asia Society." The Asia Society website is the leading educational organization, specifically dedicated to promoting strength and mutual understanding between leaders and institutions of Asia and the United States in a global context (AsiaSociety, 2012). The Asia Society website works within the fields of art, business, culture, education and policy. The website also provides insight, generates ideas, and promotes collaboration to address challenges, while creating a shared future between the two countries (AsiaSociety, 2012). The Asia Society was founded in 1965 by John D. Rockefeller III, and serves as a nonpartisan, nonprofit institution maintaining its headquarters in New York (AsiaSociety, 2012). There are also offices all over the world and there is one in South Korea, where I am currently located.

    Recently, the website published a piece entitled, " 25 Apps for Global Mobile Learning." The writers were so gracious to mention some of the most compelling subject-oriented educational apps that are out today.

    One popular Math App is called, iLiveMath: Animals of Africa and Asia. This app is a series that combines math and zoology. This app goes beyond typical math equations and flashcards, and tests students with questions that have been illustrated and challenges their applied math skills (AsiaSociety, 2012). The iLiveMath series encompasses photography, wikis, videos, and sounds to stimulate learning, and allows for different levels of difficulty (AsiaSociety, 2012). Although this application is written primarily for younger age groups, it can be easily used for adults. On a personal note, I had lots of difficulty with math throughout school. I am as "right-brained" as they come, and doing a simple math equation that most people can do in their head, actually takes a bit of time for me if there is not a calculator or piece of paper handy. These types of applications stimulate the mind, and allow adults, who might be out of mathematical practice, to return to a G.E. educational course with assistance.

                Another popular application is one entitled, "iTranslate." This app can translate English into more than 50 different languages. You can also reverse it and translate the foreign language into English. Some, of the languages offered come with a text-to-speech button, which allows you to hear the phrase in the specific language and to see how it's written (AsiaSociety, 2012). The app also includes a few languages that have voice recognition translations. This is an amazing app for any student trying to learn a foreign language; and it encompasses all the way from six grade to adult. In my work, I use an app called Genie Talk which performs the same tasks as that of  iTranslate. Genie Talk is specifically written for Android, as iTranslate is written for the iPhone and iPads; hence, the name.

                I encourage you to check out the website link that I have posted. Scroll through some of the apps to see if you would find some of them to be conducive in your particular learning environment. I am not fond of using mobile phones during a classroom session, but I am quite supportive of learning applications that are offered while a student is traveling or doing some other leisure activity.

Jeremy

References

http://asiasociety.org/education/resources-schools/partnership-ideas/25-apps-global-mobile-learning