Make it Mobile: Best Practices for Science Courses in iTunes U

Abstract

iTunes U provides K-12 educators a straight-forward yet dynamic way to design, implement and deliver complete courses that are supported by pedagogically-sound video, audio, web content, iTunes content, and Apps. Moreover, the iPad provides educators a unique opportunity to move learning into a true mobile environment. The challenge for educators is evaluating and curating content from a variety of sources, while ensuring that specific learning objectives are addressed. iTunes U, for example, offers students an opportunity to engage in “meaning-making” through the acquisition of both continuous and discontinuous content. Moreover, students can connect with and interact with their peers and their environment anywhere, anytime. The key question: how do you transform an “analog curriculum” to a “digital curriculum”?

This chapter reviews the transformation of two 12th grade electives, AP Physics C: Mechanics and Molecular Biology, from traditional classroom courses to mobile-based, iPad courses on iTunes U. Methodology for course design and curriculum development, including App integration; innovative mobile learning activity design; student collaboration opportunities in a mobile environment; teacher-published MultiTouch textbooks; and effective formative, summative and laboratory assessment mechanisms will be addressed through the lens of current research on digital and mobile learning.

As a “work in progress,” quantitative and qualitative evidence of student success as well as impact on student learning, based on a transformative learning model, will be reviewed.