Enabling class interaction using the LearnUCS (Blackboard) Mobile App

As you maybe aware, Blackboard (who provide the LearnUCS software) have upgraded their Mobile App. The latest version is much slicker, and includes more functionality compared to the previous version.

This new version, combined with the improvements in the LearnUCS discussion board software encouraged the Elevate Team to re-think some of the possibilities for enhancing the level of classroom interaction. For instance, we are often asked how classroom based group work can be captured, shared and reflected upon, in particular, are there technologies which will make this process more efficient compared to a flip chart or write on walls?

We'd suggest these new developments will make this much easier. You will need to create a discussion board thread within your LearnUCS module, and ensure when you set up your classroom group activities that at least one person in each group has the Mobile app on their phone or tablet. Each group will be able to answer the question by typing in their response and they can attach photos, docs and other evidence.

After which you can share and respond to the group ideas in the classroom, and encourage groups to further reflect on each others responses. This will make the learning activity more powerful compared to the more traditional model of presenting flip charts.

If you'd like to discuss further how this might work in your teaching, please email the Elevate Team (elevate@ucs.ac.uk).

Smart Pen for iPad/iPhone #eFun

I've just seen this article and thought it might be of interest to our growing number of tablet users, specifically the iPad users.

Having spent some time with lecturers talking about how they can use these tablets to help with their teaching, a number have asked about the availability of a stylus and whether you can use them to write on the tablet.

With the technology that is used for the multi-touch devices - capacative technology - a normal stylus doesn't work due to the requirement of electrical properties from the human body for the screen to know where you are touching.  You can purchase a type of stylus that replicates this electrical property, but they are only as accurate as a finger with regard to writing.

The Engadget article states

Want to write on your tablet without all of the requisite finger grease? How about a stylus? Too pedestrian? What about a Smart Pen? Better yet, what about the aPen A5 Smart Pen? eFun's peripheral includes a stylus and a receiver that hooks into your iPad or iPhone's 30 pin connector, digitizing your handwriting or drawings via a number of compatible apps, including the company's own free Studio Basic Light. The A5 is set, broadly, for a release some time in 2012, and should run you around $99 whenever it actually hits the market.

This is a really interesting concept and may work well with our eFeedback & eAssessment iPad project.