ClassroomAid would like to invite English language teachers and others to work together to
create “mobile OERs for learning English” for children and everyone so that the mobile-friendly content can reach every learner with a mobile phone.
This kind of materials can facilitate independent learning, or combine with online volunteering tutors — we have high schoolers in America are volunteering to help ESL children in need — to create more personalized learning experience for children in rural areas.
Why mobile #OER for learning English
Old OER won’t just work on mobile devices. Currently most educational content, including digital content, is not accessible from mobile devices, nor does it take full advantage of the unique multimedia, communication (interactivity to provide instant feedback) and sometimes location-aware capabilities of these devices. Mobile policy guideline suggestions from UNESCO include (1) creating incentives for content developers “think mobile first“; (2) Encourage the development of platforms or software that allow classroom teachers (and others with firsthand knowledge of students) to create or tailor mobile content.
The explosive adoption of mobile devices and mobile applications is an excellent opportunity to accelerate OER distribution to reach every learner with a mobile device, if OER takes the chance. “The combination of mobile technology and OER will enable institutions, organizations, and companies to narrow the learning divide so that there can be Education For All. There are many benefits of accessing OER using mobile technology. Learners are given the flexibility of accessing the OER from anywhere and at any time and learners can learn in their own context (Ally, 2009).”
Collaboration framework:
In order to make this project workable for more participants without too heavy loading for individuals, we structure the collaboration framework with the following roles working together. In the following roles defined, only Learning Designer needs the profession of English education, other roles are open to anyone who likes to help.
Content Curator – This role helps to curate reusable learning resources, “reusable” might imply open educational resources in most cases but not limited to. It’s also appreciated to find educators willing to create content, like stories, for this project.
Learning Designer – This role develops ideas of designing mobile learning content. He can describe the ideas by text or by storyboarding to communicate the prototype he likes to create, so that others can review, further or collaborate on an idea. (about storyboarding tools, take a look at Storyboardthat.com, or PowerPoint, Google Doc. presentation)
Mobile App Author – This role will use the HTML5 compliant authoring tool – Claro to create mobile Apps, free Claro accounts will be provided for a limited time from us. We’ll help the authors learn how to use Claro efficiently. The publishing of Claro environment has the widest options that suit different learning situations.
Quality Assurance – This role reviews the prototypes and the final product. Checking points might include proof reading, user experience examination and more.
Networking Ambassador – This role spreads the words to extend the reach of this project. There are many aspects he can help on – reaching to the educators who could participate, reaching to useful resources or supporting, reaching to learners in need… any out-reaching that can create awareness about the importance of mobile friendly OER content.
Just publish on your own blogs/websites
All participants could just publish their thoughts, suggestions, resource links, works on their blogs or websites, and tweets the links with #oermooc and to @classroomaidinc , we’ll coordinate the efforts and facilitate the process. The status will be updated on this site.
All the creations of this project will be openly licensed. Big or small, your help will be very appreciated and important to the global learners in need. If you haven’t decided to participate or not, at least you can share this information now!
Suggestions are welcome. Please contact us if you like to join this initiative or ask any question. You could :
1. Tweet to @classroomaidinc
2. email : mlearning@classroomaid.org
This article originally appeared here.
