I was glad that this week's blog question included the benefits of mobile devices to libraries in both developing and developing nations. There's no doubt in my mind that yes, all libraries can benefit from mobile devices. I am not talking about cell phones and game centres, but just the good old laptop! Imagine if EVERYONE could have access to a laptop? I searched around and found this perfect example from India called E-path. Whether or not India is still considered a developing nation or not is a topic for debate, but I liked the way that Akhil Paul, director of Sense International India (1), discussed that in terms of education and accessibility, he considers India as a developing nation with a long way to go.
When I started to read about E-path-on-Wheels I was immediately drawn to the wonder of how amazing it would be to be able to provide this service! I can think of populations right here in our own city of Vernon that would benefit from a tech-based "Library on Wheels". For example, I think of how many learning opportunities we could provide as an early intervention to improve kindergarten readiness if we could provide our young frazzled families meaningful learning opportunities practically to their door. Maybe I'm just a "bleeding heart" educator, but when I read about children getting great opportunities like what is happening with E-path on wheels, it really does inspire me.
The mission of E-path on Wheels is to enhance educational opportunities for underprivileged children from kindergarten through 12th grade. Our goal is to bring the outside world to isolated areas and provide children a unique opportunity to experientially learn through extensive use of technology.The description on the e-path website above is an excellent example of using technology to move communities forward, increase accessibility, and improve skills.
Children are provided digital study aids, tutoring and mentoring in respective age groups.
Salient Features
- The mobile school on wheels is a custom built replica of a modern day techno savvy classroom on wheels.
- Teaching is imparted through computers, touch based tablets, screen and projector.
- Education is imparted through use of visual aids like animation, slideshows and educational videos.
- The mobile unit covers an area depending on remoteness of the area, population, number of children in specific age and group, family income, occupation, education levels, etc.
- Participants are engaged in formal and non-formal education, remedial classes, study tours, exposure trips, health checkups, awareness sessions on personal hygiene, de-addiction, life-skills, safe environment, etc. to make a difference in their overall well being.
Part of our blog question this week is whether or not there is benefit in BYOD models in schools. This fits in with my previous blog posts in that I don't think the type of device matters but rather, the authenticity of the experience. Whether students surf the Net of their personal device or one of the school's laptops really isn't the issue. The purpose for accessing the Net is what is important. Yes, we will have to spend time educating students on appropriate uses etc., but we already do that...BYOD can definitely have benefits and many would argue that personal devices improve student motivation. As noted by the Learning Design Team at Penn State's World Campus (2011), educational opportunities using technologies that evolve to meet the demands of student learning styles do motivate students. Like anything in education, I think a balanced process is going to yield the best results in the end.
Interesting video about balance between books and technology:
How kids learn today: Libraries, Technology, and Learning at MIT in the 21st Century - Ann J. Wolpert - MIT Club of Northern California
1. http://www.theguardian.com/global-development/poverty-matters/2014/apr/07/is-india-still-a-developing-country
2. http://epath.net.in/about-e-path.php
3. http://epath.net.in/e-path-on-wheels.php
4. http://learningdesign.psu.edu/research/MLRTWhitePaper.pdf
5. video.mit.edu/watch/how-kids-learn-today-libraries-technology-and-learning-at-mit-in-the-21st-century-ann-j-wolper-8777/
Great example and good discussion around the use of mobile technology to help learners everywhere with a desire to learn more get the access they need. I too was very inspired by this story of a lab on wheels and reminds of early libraries on wheels that would go around BC to smaller communities. We have come a long way in our developed nation and can offer much to help other nations also improve their quality of life through information and access to the internet. Good discussion of the benefits of supporting mobile devices in your own environment, despite the challenges or struggles we might face with students abusing this access. Another example, or a little more discussion and reflection on the key takeaways of this topic would have been a small improvement.
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