New Platform Designed To Bring Collaborative Learning to iPad
Software developer Media-X has begun to demonstrate its new collaborative learning platform for mobile devices, eStudent, ahead of the product's formal June release date. The company previewed the platform at the FETC 2011 show in Orlando, FL and at the TCEA show in Austin, TX in early February and will also give an advance look to attendees at the NCCE show being held in March in Portland, OR.
eStudent is a content creation and sharing platform specially designed for use with the Apple iPad mobile computing device. It allows a teacher to create content for lessons and then "push out" the content to their students' iPads, as well as for students to create and share content with one another and in groups. The features eStudent offers to boost mobile collaboration include:
- Group or private chats monitored by the instructor;
- Media distribution, including print, video, audio, Web links, map coordinates, etc.;
- Real-time and offline lessons and quizzes;
- Learning journals;
- Homework notes; and
- Calendars and reminders.
Richard Young, a teacher and instructional intelligence trainer for the Western Quebec School Board in Gatineau, Quebec, Canada, said eStudent facilitates collaborative and accountable group work by students. "eStudent running on the iPad is a unique opportunity for using technology to facilitate higher level instructional strategies that are very collaborative in nature--a challenging task in today's classroom," explained Young. "That's a real advantage to teachers, as it takes many years to become successful at implementing group work that works."
A spokesperson for Media-X explained that, with a history of developing mobile applications for teachers and administrators, it made sense for the company to extend its product line to encompass the student learning environment as well. And, he noted, "The iPad offers so many convenient, effective, and engaging possibilities in the classroom."
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Scott Aronowitz is a freelance writer based in Las Vegas. He has covered the technology, advertising, and entertainment sectors for seven years. He can be reached here.