Unit 4 - Assignment 1 - Blog 1
After reading a few articles I found in my inbox after setting up the Google alerts, I came across a very interesting one regarding how to create a value-driving eLearning app. This article posted today, February 7th, by Ilya Kislenka, stood out to me. She found a study stating that the online learning market is projected to reach $238 billion by 2024. That number is absolutely insane to me. I can definitely see the appeal, as these learning apps are extremely convenient and easily accessible. Using these eLearning apps to keep track of student growth and learning is truly an individualistic approach to education. Some challenges with creating the apps are keeping the students engaged, making it visually appealing, and staying within budget, as the creating of the apps can become pretty pricey. Kislenka makes some good points when discussing the importance of keeping learners engaged and motivated. He states the idea of making sure the students are constantly being shown their progress, reminded of their goals, and show them what is ahead as they continue to work in the app. He also talks about the importance of making the app visually appealing. In his words, it could "make or break" the outcome of the app and interest from its users. Teachers who teach foreign languages are specifically mentioned in this article when talking about transforming subjects into engaging experiences. The innovation involved in creating an app can be a challenge for some. ESL teachers will need to think of an aspect of learning English and create a game that can be digitally done that is going to make a significant impact for their students.
I personally think it would be absolutely amazing to design my own application for my students. I definitely think I could come up with some ideas, but I would struggle with how to put them all together into one cohesive application for the students. I would love to collaborate with other teachers to create applications that could really make a difference in our classrooms. Kislenka thought of many final considerations I would have never thought of when creating an app. He says it's important to consider if it's valuable to the general public, or if it's geographically limiting. There are a lot of things to think about when beginning this process. I don't feel like I would be ready at this point to design my own application, but I do think it's something I would consider looking into in the future. Even just providing some input into an app would be fulfilling. I am interested to see if it will even be simpler to create an application for us first-timers someday. I thought this was a great article to reflect upon not only when considering the act of creating an app, but also when choosing an already made application. It is important to also look at the value of education applications before using them in the classroom.
Click here to view the original article.
I personally think it would be absolutely amazing to design my own application for my students. I definitely think I could come up with some ideas, but I would struggle with how to put them all together into one cohesive application for the students. I would love to collaborate with other teachers to create applications that could really make a difference in our classrooms. Kislenka thought of many final considerations I would have never thought of when creating an app. He says it's important to consider if it's valuable to the general public, or if it's geographically limiting. There are a lot of things to think about when beginning this process. I don't feel like I would be ready at this point to design my own application, but I do think it's something I would consider looking into in the future. Even just providing some input into an app would be fulfilling. I am interested to see if it will even be simpler to create an application for us first-timers someday. I thought this was a great article to reflect upon not only when considering the act of creating an app, but also when choosing an already made application. It is important to also look at the value of education applications before using them in the classroom.
Click here to view the original article.
Thanks for sharing "How to create a value-driving eLearning app" from your Google Alerts. I'm glad to here to projection for the online learning market, as I hope to continue working in it. I've personally developed and designed for a learning management system (LMS) which was homegrown and Penn State Main, and can understand the need for a cohesive approach to an eLearning app. After studying web development and instructional technology, I hope to overcome the obstacle mentioned, and merge my skill set into eLearning applications. At this point, I've learn the necessity of involving teachers in the development and design process. As more eLearning platforms are built, and can only hope the tech companies will include teachers in the planning.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this article. I am going to have to take some time this week and the read the article myself, as it sounds very interesting. I especially liked how he put an emphasis to make sure students are constantly being shown their progress, reminded of their goals, and show them what is ahead as they continue to work in the app. I think this is such an important component. I think it would help build some intrinsic motivation in the students who are playing the app.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your resource. Designing an application for my classroom has always been on my mind. Just scrolling through the Apple Store, viewing all the educational resources, intrigued me. At the same time, I realized just how many applications there are; and you make a great point in the fact that thinking about how the application will be used in the classroom is so important. I'd like to think that I'm equally as creative taking applications and resources that already exist and attempt to utilize them in a more engaging ways for all my students.
ReplyDeleteIf there is an application worth designing, for ESL students, I think the gamification appeal of an app would benefit them. Not only would they be engaged in the gaming, but it would help them learn the language too.
Brittany,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this article. The aspect I found interesting in connection to my post this week was your comment about geographically limiting for your app. The article I read specifically talked about how the internet simultaneously unites and divides the community landscape. There are so many applications already out there and we are at a time of greatness mixed with a little bit of confusion. I wish you luck on your app endeavors!
Hi Brittany! It is fantastic that you found such an interesting article! With the introduction of iPads into the educational field, these new apps are helping teachers track student growth while also improving student engagement. I agree that students need to practice monitoring their own progress. Many of these learning apps have adaptive learning software that helps personalize learning for each individual student. I like how Kislenka discusses the importance of making the app visually appealing. This is an aspect of an app that many of us forget about. Thank you for sharing this article with us! I am very excited to share these ideas with my own teachers at our next PD Session!
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