If you are looking to use iTouches or iPhones in the classroom then you may need to restrict access to certain apps or sites. This page from Demo Geek uses a series of screen grabs to show you how to do this.
key points (see also my bookmark to the BLC '07 keynote by Professor McFarlane)
- technology is not helping learning (1:30)
- american high schools are counterproductive to success in knowledge society (Bill Gates) (2:30)
- have a model where kids produce their own digital representation of how they see the world (4:00)
- make learning deeper rather than try to cover a lot of content but shallow learning (5:00)
- one suggestion is teaching people to be able to recognise an evidence-based argument and not be susceptible to incorrect information (6:00)
- model for assessment based on this sort of change to curriculum (7:30) - meaningful coursework - mainly in school - not allowing homework to restrict their self learning
- treat school like work in a way with emphasis on quality not quantity (10:00)
- need to connect with parents who see school as different than their schooling and unsure about its benefits (11:00)
- access to technology (12:00) - benefit based on having the access first bit also that their environment but also their culture at home helps them benefit
- top 15% (from BLC keynote) are getting most benefit from access and their culture
- but these normally high achievers can't see school as relevant to them based on what they experience at home and are failing at school (13:30)
- community knowledge and learning capacity building in technology (14:00)
- "digital challenge" program in Bristol (14:40)
- community mentors that learn something then teach to others in the community
- giving more people access and that means they can have choices on what they can do