Tablet Devices - A Real 'Disruption'?

Here is an article which appeared recently on the website of Tablet Academy in Europe. The piece is interesting because it posits the view that mobile devices are the biggest disruptive influence to traditional models of education since the arrival of the internet.

This is a pretty big claim to make; after all, the internet completely changed the learning landscape and drove a coach and horses through the schooling model which had existed for over a hundred years. The one where the teacher was the most knowledgeable person in the classroom (it's now Wikipedia which can make that claim I guess).

The term, 'Disruptive Technology' was one coined by Clayten Christensen a few years ago to describe technology which disrupts the existing technology by doing things in new ways rather than by trying to replace the existing tech. If we widen out the paradigm, we can apply it to almost any new innovation which comes up against an existing or traditional model. Thus,we arrive at the appearance of tablet devices in education. It's arguable weather they are a true disruption, however, when used *as* a disruptive tool, they do have the power to drive real lasting transformation. The SAMR model, despite recent criticism, demonstrates how this might be so.

Tablet devices, with the iPad in the vanguard, have driven transformation in education. The on-line discussions, and increased interest in technology-driven school improvement from educators is evidence of this mind-shift. Schools,colleges and universities the world over are now adopting technologies for learning and the tablet revolution has contributed hugely to this.

When considering tablet roll-outs or BYOT (bring your own technology) schemes, it is important to do some research and take advice. Unrepresentative schemes involving very small numbers of devices making claims to be the first of this that or the other are generally best avoided, however there is plenty of good case study evidence out there, and plenty of folks who are able to offer advice.

Which platform to chose for your particular roll out is also important. You will probably get quite a one sided view from folks who have only been involved with one particular platform, whereas a more objective point of view might be obtained from someone with experience of all three major operating systems and device types. Contrary to what you might hear, iPads are not the 'gold standard' of tablet devices. Many organisations will be far better served by Android or Windows 8 devices. What is important is your individual need. Our tablet Academy Africa Windows 8 courses are proving more and more popular with many users who have preferred the tablet devices running on this platform for reasons of familiarity and inter-operability and informed sources reckon that Windows 8 devices will push Apple all the way for market share dominance over the coming months across Africa and the Middle East. Android devices, with their excellent Apps for Education from the Google Play Store make great choices, particularly where budget is an issue (although the higher end Android devices are superb).

I've been doing lots of work with Android apps recently, and they are closing the gap, and in some instances, overtaking iPad apps in terms of their use in learning and teaching. Windows devices give the benefit of both apps and web-based use with their ability to flip from app screen to traditional desktop view for more powerful functionality ( the Microsoft Office Web Apps are a great example of this).

And so when people say things like... Its not about the tech, its about the teaching  they are really quite wrong, in my view. Because the tech, and more importantly, the platform are the drivers of the shift to a much more self-organised learning experience which students relate to in this day and age (as opposed to the more traditional didactic model). All three platforms will play their own parts in this culture shift but the choice you make will be better served by being well informed before you make the shift and spend your bucks.

The Web 3.0 world of interactive creative mash-ups is pushing Web 2.0 out of the picture by using tools which are culturally relevant to today's learners (and that includes all of us, actually). Tablet devices and smart phones are pushing this web 3.0 world and with it, the Internet of Things increasingly centre-stage. Education can ride this change if we can dare to dare...and make informed choices.