This document discusses mobile technologies and teacher workflow. It summarizes three examples of how teachers used mobile devices to support student inquiry tasks. The examples illustrate how defining workflow as a connected sequence of steps representing an optimal lesson can help integrate technology purposefully. Considering values that drive technology purchases and managing hype were also discussed to encourage thoughtful adoption of digital tools that enrich core work. Overall, the document promotes a holistic approach where the task, tool, and process are aligned in education settings.

1. Teaching With Mobile
Technologies: Mobilizing Teachers
Through an
Understanding of Workflow
Banff, Alberta
August 21, 2012
Susan Crichton & Karen Pegler

2. NANCY GIBBS | August 16, 2012 – Time Techland

3. Like any romance moving
from infatuation to
commitment, the
connection between
people and their mobile
devices reflects what they
brought into the
relationship in the first
place.

4. It’s all about your stufftechnology …
1. How many mobile and / or handheld
devices do you have or have you
owned in the last 4 years?
2. How many were the same brand?
3. What causes you to change or
upgrade a device?
4. What criteria do you honestly use to
make a decision about the device?
5. What’s your next device purchase?

5. Considering hype
“Hyped technology artifacts are
distinct from other innovations
and product launches because
they are surrounded by
extravagant publicity.”
Hedman&Gimpel, 2010, p. 161

6. … and it’s values that make us succumb
• functional value - how an item meets a need
• social value - the image connected with the
item
• epistemic value – the curiosity about the item
• emotional value - wanting the item for its
aesthetics; and
• conditional value - a specific context or need.

7. … so back to your technology
purchases …
• What values prompted
your decisions?

8. … so back to your technology
purchases …
• What values prompted
your decisions?
• Hedman&Gipel tell us
functional values has the
least impact on decision
making …

9. Our findings …
• Hype surrounds mobile / handheld devices
• Educators, students & students are not
immune
• Manage hype through
– Thoughtful adoption
– Systemic integration & support
– Professional development grounded in workflow

10. Workflow – Some thoughts …
• Technology is a tool to enable a human
capability
• Digital tools should enrich the core work
rather than hijack it to accommodate the
technology
• The actual task and the
technology to support it
must be in synch
• Workflow links a task, tool,
and process – a holistic
approach …

11. How Do We Define Workflow?
• Workflow is defined as a sequence of
connected steps that best represent the
process of an actual optimal lesson
(Crichton, 2011).

12. Inquiry at the Zoo

13. Inquiry at the Zoo
• Identify, document defend the ten animals who would thrive in an alien
environment
Task • Inquiry with a mobile device-scaffolding for students
• iPods and iPads
• Teachers were given the devices well in advance of the day
Tool
• Discussion of Inquiry, Inspiring Education, link between task and direction of
learning
• Teachers explored the zoo, experienced the device, built their representations
Process and shared final products, debriefed challenges and successes

15. Inquiry at Telus Spark Science Centre
• What does it mean to be human?
• Understand inquiry with mobile devices-design own lesson
Task • Explore an environment designed around inquiry
• iPods, Smartphones, BYOD
• Emphasizing the importance of the right tool for the right
Tool purpose
• Explore the Telus Spark Science Centre through AR and QR
Codes
Process • Meet to debrief and share in classroom-lesson added to D2L

17. Innovation and Learning Commons
• Self-directed inquiry
• Specialists provide support
Task
• Wide selection of mobile devices, inclusive
technology and emerging technologies
Tool
• Teachers can embed the learning of the tool into
the completion of the task
Process • Incubation of promising practice

18. Task
Tool
Process

19. Please Contact Us
Karen Pegler Susan Crichton
kepegler@cbe.ab.ca susan.crichton@ubc.ca