iPhone Education

Technology is becoming more and more important today, until the point that it has become a necessity more than a hobby. Who does not know how to use a computer device or a cell phone is already socially emarginated, not only from various work fields, but also at school, and in the streets, because they are considered the new analphabets of our societies.

On the other hand, the easy access to information that is spread among the world with Internet is a very reliable instrument to learn whatever you want to learn, from a foreign language, trough science, tech, gadgets, until even quantum physics and genetic engineering. Everything you want to acknowledge is in the Web, and I mean everything!

Now, a new gadget has arrived into the Cyber-market; the iPhone, and its presence is accompanied by a very large brand of new software, made in order to simplify the learning skills of students. But, what is an iPhone?

It is a widescreen iPod, a cell phone, and an internet navigator all in one; with all the characteristics that such an artifact can have nowadays, e-mail, calendar, SMS, photo, music, and internet support, but presented to the user with a better and more human presentation. Look at the you-tube videos below in order to acquire a better insight of this device:

And here is the web page of Apple for the iPhone explanation:

Now, the great news is that it seems this device will revolutionize the education all around the world.

Advantages in Educational Field

IPhones are equipped with a web browser based on Safari, so the access on internet is guaranteed, and the device fits in your pocket.

The mayor advantage of the I-Phone is its portability, you can take it anywhere at anytime, and do the learning experience whenever you want and wherever you need it. Now, that is freedom!

Companies like Mohive and Learnocity have already developed a very large and strong platform for I-pods, I -phones and I- touches.

Even Universities as American Intercontinental University Online are using the new gadgets in order to help their students to have all the requirements they need at hand whenever they need them.

This demo on you-tube demonstrates how it works:

On the other hand, Apple is presenting new flash cards with teaching, learning and selling purposes, tridimensional images of atoms, stars, constellations, together with reading books, are available on a range that goes from 40 dollars to no cost (totally free) through the App Store. Most of these are flash-card programs that iPhone users can download by accessing the App Store through Apple's iTunes software and clicking on the "education" category.

Other companies as Modality Inc. and Accela Study are also making there own programs for the iPhone in their respective field of knowledge.

So, it seems that flash cards in iPhones are the future of education.

Researchers and Developers

Also ACU researchers are using iPhones in order to do a research on innovative applications for smart phones and media players in deepening learning. In addition they will explore how these converged, mobile devices can help foster community on campus and facilitate administrative tasks.

For more information visit this link

Etech; an Australian developer, is customizing its world-class online learning management system for the Apple device.

Using the iPhone, teachers, students and parents will be able to log into Studywiz using Safari, in order to access a huge range of interactive and media-rich tools. In this way, students can take tests, access real-time information, submit assignments or just go blogging. On the other hand, parents too, can keep on top of their child's performance by accessing student reports and view their assignments from the iPhone. And teachers can assignee their homework from distance, receive the assignments without seeing the students at all, and correct the homework from their home.

So everybody wins…

Disadvantages

The biggest disadvantage that people see in iPhones is the little size of the screen, but you can connect your iPhone to a big screen and an audio system, adding a docking station to it. You can even connect it to the TV set or a projector. The potential of this device seems to be infinite, only the sky is its limit.

So, it looks like the iPhone will change the learning and teaching experience forever, and thanks to all these advances, online education will substitute current education sooner than everybody can imagine. Maybe the change is already taking place.