Welcome to The Mobile Learner!
Name: Travis Allen
Why I made this blog: It began with my parents getting me an iPhone for Christmas one year ago. I, like many others, enjoyed the endless list of applications on it and shortly after, began looking into educational apps to help me in High school. I soon realized the amazing capabilities this device would have in education.
From that point on, I was a Mobile Learner.
I wanted every student to realize the unlocked potential and decided to share my opinion through a video, called the iSchool Initiative.
Now, as a college student, my iPhone has been an essential key to school life. People find it hard to believe,
but I bring only my iPhone to class!
This blog is here to for me to talk about the different ways I use my iPhone in class and life, instead of paper, pencils, labtops, etc.
- How I survive college with only an iPhone, and some great apps, and how you can too.
- My favorite applications I use in school and out of school.
- Why I strive for a 21st century education through mobile learning.
- Talk about my ventures through the iSchool Initiative and the people I have met.
- Tips and advice for other students to become a Mobile Learner.
All of these applications seem like a wonderful addition to any classroom. As a media arts instructor, I can easily imagine how implementing these technologies in the classroom would allow our students to soar. A few questions, however, remain: when and how will we implement the ischool system? How much money will it cost upfront? And moreover, what red tape must be dealt with in order for the ischool initiative to become a reality at all Palm Beach County schools?
On a side note, I use Edline adamantly and encourage my students to do the same. Many of them do not. I also have trouble getting my students to use their day planners, an imperative for any successful individual. The fact that these more limited resources are not used to their full potentials is a bit discouraging. How do we move from here and encourage students to use their iphones/ipads/ishuffles resourcefully and effectively?
I agree with you. The cost of new technology will be extremely expensive – however the cost of NOT going digital is far worse. All of the countries, around the world are surpassing our students. As educators, we must seize the moment. The technology that is available to us is unlimited. Students today have a vast amount of devices that can be used to assist in their education. For the majority of my students, these devices are already in their hands, as educators we should start to think how we can utilize them in all areas of education.
Wow this is so awesome and what a transferation.
Thank you, Travis, for introducing education professionals to the iWorld through your iSchool Initiative! It is amazing to learn about all that is available via iPhone applications that directly effect the administrators, educators, students and the surrounding communities…all for free!
I think the iSchool is a very fun concept that would relate well to the students of today and the future. I like that it would help the environment and also that this could potentially save money. Where would this money go…To us teachers would be nice?!! Go Travis, get it done!
I agree that iSchool is a great concept that would most definitely motivate students and improve students’ attitudes toward school, which would lead to students making greater learning gains. But, how will we implement ischool? Where would the money come from?
Hearing Travis Allen speak today at the Palm Beach County Technology Conference was not only invigorating and innovative, but he is helping to mold and change the standard education from textbook limitations to include the worldwide knowledge base of the internet. While this is not to say the classroom learning environment is no longer of value, but it is to embrace the infinite possibilities of students utilizing the one-touch data and information for their learning process.
Very impressed with Travis Allen. He is a young man with an important vision that can help reshape education to take advantage of mobile technology. We will be hearing more about him in the future, I’m sure!
Amazing accomplishments for such a young man!!
Thanks Travis, I enjoyed your presentations. I will visit your website and look up the Apps you discussed. I really loved the istudiopro, cranberry, and tourwrist apps that you shared. This is a huge step for me since I am not too into technology, but after hearing you I want a smart phone and an ipad. Thanks again for the information and inspiration. BB
I enjoyed hearing Travis explain the “time-line” of his life so far. It’s refreshing to listen to the younger generation explain their take on the furture.He is diffently infused in technology. I am looking forward to helping my teachers become better digital learners.
ischool Initiative is a very good tool in the age of information to motivate students to learn. Travis, I hope that educators in the world will embrace your idea to revlutionize the way of learning for this new geneation.
Thank you for what you do!
I found Travis Allens lecture very informative. I am from the old school and can understand more of where the young students are coming from now. I do look forword to getting more involved in the digital information world. Students and teachers are able to get information from many sources outside of their four walls at a moments glance. Great job he did in presenting and having me understand the importance of moving forward with this technology.
Loved Travis! You are an inspiration to all americans with an idea or motivation to be more business minded. I can’t wait to see what becomes of him and his company! Good luck in your endeavors.
I like the iSchool idea and think its a great concept. Today students work well and love technology or especially a chance to use their own smartphones. I think this program would be a great addition to the classroom if used appropriately. I only see a problem for example, with the EBD kids I teach becuase of the fear that they would be on their phones doing other things and not using the correct program. I do however like this idea and maybe will consider try it with my students.
I saw Travis last year at the conference and was absolutely blown away —- and to no ones surprise I was so eager to hear this young man — that I left one of the Breakouts early — he is the shining light that we have been waiting for. He has a vision of education that is electrifying. I can’t wait to get back to my classroom and go completely digital!
Thanks,
Diana
The Palm Beach County Technology Conference was awesome. Travis, your closing remarks were not really “closing” remarks they were remarks that lead to the “opening” of eyes and minds to the endless possibilities of integrating technology into education. It is a symbiotic relationship, one supports the other and expands and improves the nature of each.
I especially enjoyed Travis Allen’s closing presentation at the 2012 Palm Beach County Technology Conference because his ideas are the wave of the future for students interested in an education on the University level filled with all the up to date information out there. Travis Allen you are an inspiration to us all and I thank you for all you are doing to help students everywhere.
I learned alot from your lecture. Reflecting on your words, they transformed my thoughts about my students and I plan to incorportate more technology to enhance student performance and engagement. I hope to meet you again soon. I think your ideas are visionary and innovative!
You are an inspiration to us all. It is wonderful to have a student perspective that is meaningful. You have created a monster. I am now trying to convert all of my students’ learning experiences into technology based lessons.
I was very impressed with all that you have accomplished in your young life. I will be using you as an example of the impact and change that everyone (no matter your age) can make, not only with my students, but with my own children!
Travis your vision is inspirational. I can’t wait for the iSchool bus to roll into town.
I was intrigued when reading your profile prior to the PB Tech.Conference. You didn’t disappoint …
Your work & commitment is admirable & if the iSchool Initiative’s concept comes to fruition it will be revolutionary. Congratulations on all of your hard work in such an important endeavor.
I really enjoyed your lecture. As much as I love techonology, I am sure I do not use it as much as I could. Your speech inspired me to “think outside the box” even more than I do now.
AMAZING! That’s what comes to mind when I realize just how much of a difference using technology in the classroom makes – whether through helping students, or our natural environment – not to mention the massive savings to our schools. I am so inspired by you! The iSchool Initiative seems to be an answer to problems that need to be addressed right now. We’re using iPads in our school this year, and I can’t even begin to tell you the improvement my students are making. I’m sure that in the near future, at least I hope so, schools will not be bogged down with text and workbooks, but with a device that can fit in your hands! You are an inspiration and I enjoyed listening to you and wish you the best of luck. You’ve opened a lot of eyes, and I know we’ll be hearing lots about you and your accomplishments for many years to come.
I found Travis very inspiring. Just wish he could inspire our school district enough to open the door for our students to take hold of the technology. I am starting to have students ask me if they can use their IPad in my lab because our desktops are so slow. It is harder to monitor what they are doing but many that ask are truly working and not playing games.
Congratulations on a job well done! I found your discussion and visual presentation at our PB Technology Conference very informative and inspiring. Thank you so much for sharing.
I really enjoyed listening to your session at the Technology Conference in West Palm on March 26th. You are so right when you said that this is the way that learning is going. Technology is a big part of the students learning now. I am even impressed that even 2 and 3 year olds know how to use the iphones! Thanks for taking time to make your videos to show teachers what sources are available.
Travis you are truly an inspiration to EVERYONE! You are changing the face of education and our future generations are thankful, our generations now are happy to be “outside of the box “with current education practices. Being a mobile learner is doing it all efficentily and effectively.You are so dynamic and inspirational!! The ischool Initiative is genius.Thank you for your vision and hard work, you have accomplished a tremendous task. All that can be done now is to move foward.
Very impressed with Travis. I see where technology will be a huge part in education in the very near future. This presentation was very informative and inspiring and I am very proud of all your accomplishments. Thank you so much for inviting us into your goals and visions.
We are so fortunate to be living in such a tech society. Amazing that we survived this long without such devices. Travis is an inspiration to me to learn more.
Thank you, Travis, for introducing education professionals to the iWorld through your iSchool Initiative! It was amazing to learn all about what is available via iPhone applications that directly affect the administrators, educators, students and the surrounding communities…all for free! I hope that schools catch on as well as state officials to allow the funding to make it possible to use all these amazing technology features! As an enthusiastic educator I have so many incredible ideas, however most of my ideas have to be redirected due to the fact that I do not have a school laptop, elmo, or projector. In a technology based society it is crucial for our students to become familiar with all the technology that is available. I just wish that instead of budget cut backs, there were budget increases!
I too, believe that the ischool iniative would be wonderful for our students. I know for a fact that my students would become more motivated and interested in what they are doing, thus improving their work ethics and making them better students. I just don’t know how the iSchool Iniative could be implemented? Where would all the money come from?
It is an exciting time to be in education and if we “older” folks try to keep up with the latest technology, this generation will benefit. Travis, you are doing so much to keep us dinosaurs on our toes! What an inspiration you are!
Thank you Travis for your inspirational and informative presentation. I am encouraged to continuously learn how to stay up to date with technological advances, and how they can be integrated into classroom instruction. I look forward to the time when all students have equal access to these resources.
Travis, I had to pleasure of interviewing you last year at the Palm Beach Tech conference. You inspired me to think outside the box with students, teachers and my own child. So when I saw that you were going to be here again this year…I could not wait for the conference. Your presentations were unbelievably informative. Our children are so technologically savvy that we as educators and parents need to need to step up our game to help them.
Travis you are truly an inspiration. I enjoy using technology in the classroom and have over the past 15 years but it is nice to see how to use new technology in our ever changing world. Thank you Travis!
Travis thanks for your passion and your enthusiam towards learning. Todays students do not know how lucky they are to have you in their corner. Will keep in touch with your work. Keep it up. Doing a great job!
Technology has always been dynamic and I try to catch up with it in my own ways. Your presentation made technology “user friendly” and “simple”. To many educators like me it has taken teaching to a new level.
I am very impressed with everything that Travis has done. I like how iSchool will save money and help the environment. I can’t wait for more to come.
Travis,
My being the product of the 60’s has influenced my skepticism that the probability of worthwhile change taking place in the world of education is slim. I am happy to say that the technology conference this year and your continued growth and success in your company have given me a renewed hope. I can truly see more students engaged in hands on research and resulting projects because of the inclusion of mobile devises. Thank you.
I was astounded to hear Travis speak and walk around the stage with perfect precision. I have never heard such a young person with so much knowledge, confidence, vision, motivation, and such ideas as I have never heard! It would have been wonderful for me to take only a mobile device to college, without having to carry books and paper. It’s pure genius.
Thank you Travis!
Go for it!
No wonder the politicians want to control education.
This would really free education and not allow anyone to limit learning or create parameters that would benefit the pockets of few at the expense of many.
Just think if the funding that goes to purchasing books, testing, and bussing were invested into technology!
Any student who complains of being bored in school, needs to step through the portal that technology can provide to open up limitless horizons.
Saw and heard Travis Allen speak at the 2012 Technology Conference in West Palm Beach. As an educator, Allen reignited my passion for teaching and learning in the midst of the ever changing technology era. It truly was an honor and a pleasure to have the opportunity to see and listen to him speak.
I enjoyed hearing Travis speak at the Palm Beach County Technology conference. I am anxious to see the day when our county will use etexts and go paperless!
It amazing how far technology has come in such a short time
I enjoyed Travis’ talk as well. The day should be near where every student will get an ipad or some such device instead of textbooks… The costs will be the same or less. This is the future. Travis has tapped into it at the ground level and is on the right track!
Wow. How wonderful you have been able to be so creative and effective in world of technology. I look forward to the tools and ideas your company continues to come up with to inspire youth and veterans.
I think that your ideas for bringing technology into the classroom are very exciting and very innovating. Technology is something that our generation has grown up with and it is all that we know. However, it is very discouraging to me because most of my students do not even have use of the internet at home! I try to incorporate the use of technology as much as I can, but it seems that the computers at school are not up to date with the times. I also am a very young teacher, so I went to college learning how to integrate interesting technological activities into the classroom. There was a huge focus on different multi-modal teaching strategies. We were taught how to use Mac computers to effectively teach our students, but nothing is compatible with a Mac at school, and there are not a lot of Mac computers available for our students to use. How do you suggest teachers in this situation work towards getting all of their students to be “mobile learners?” I think that it is the way that our education system should be heading, but it is difficult without the resources!
The idea of bringing technology into the classroom are very exciting and very innovating. I am for anything that will help keep student interesting in learning.
I thought your presentation was outstanding and quite far sighted, with the varibales that are inherent in computer technology and iphones that can be utilized in the classroom. I like the thought of having all required textbooks available to students in a local data base. The information about applications and learning was quite useful. I think your iSchool Initiative is wonderful. The manipulation of iphone application in education is a good thing, and the reduction of cost is undeniable. The ideas you presented are surely capable of reducing the weight of the business aspect in education.
I was so impressed by Travis Allen’s ambition at such an early age! I believe he is on the cutting edge of our future colleges and I will be reading more about him. I bought an I-PAD 3 because of this Technology Conference and Travis!
The notion that all you need is your ipad and no textbooks is eye-opening. How terrific it is to carry everything in your pocket.
Thank you Travis for giving this “old school” educator a fresh perspective from a student’s point of view!
The thought of no textbooks is amazing. It would be great for the futres generation of students.
The idea of a totally tecnology based system is facinating. However the cost willbe very high.
Great job, Ienjoyed your presentation. Amazing information and inspiration for such a jong man.
Wow, no textbooks, the students who carry the heavy backpacks will be pleases.
Thank you for pushing me to move into “your world”. Since the conference I purchased an I pad. I can’t believe everything that can be done on it. I have hardly touched my lap top since. Next will be an I phone.
Today’s generation is the technology generation. They need sound, color, movement, and speed to get their attention. Standing at a white board and lecturing doesn’t catch the students attention anymore. If each student had an iPhone, iPod, iPad, or a computer for their use it would make an huge difference in their lives as students. Their textbooks are available online, so why should a school waste money on textbooks that get damaged, lost, and eventually become outdated. Power-point lectures could be sent to every student, so instead of the students trying to hurry and write all the notes they could listen and participate in the lecture. If state-mandated tests are all becoming computer based, shouldn’t the classrooms be the same?
There are times that I feel I can see a glimpse of the future and the types of technology that are available. Not only for me, but also for my children. Then after hearing your lecture last year, and again this year just shoots that theory right back to square one. It is truly amazing how my children will learn, how they will learn and at the pace they will learn. Thank you for another sneak peak
Thank you Travis for your wonderful and innovative thoughts and ideas. Having resources in one location is a life saver for teachers and that is appreciated. I am in the process of trying to implement these resources in my classroom with the unfortunate holdup of funding. The students know how to use them and it is just a matter of getting the right apps and resources into their hands to tap into their minds and own innovation. With the resources and apps out there, the possibilities are endless!
I truly think that we saw a glimpse of where education delivery is going in the future. It will be wonderful when it becomes the norm, rather than the exception.
I live in the same home with my four grandchildren, ages 2, 4, 6, and 8. (Yes very even!) The three older ones are being home schooled by their mother. At least half of what they do is on the computer and iPhone. The eight year old has written several books that I’m not sure I could have written at age 12. Even the 2 year old, who has not yet reached the age for home school enjoys watching Youtube on the iPhone. Of course he takes for granted that there has always been an iPhone. Growing up in the 1950 and 60s I remember people talking about learning machines. At the time it seemed like science fiction. Now it is an everyday occurrence. Thanks to Travis for encouraging us to push the envelope… “to boldly go where no man has gone before”!
I am old school too. So I find myself like a student also having fun learning & getting frustrated at times when simple things seem complex. I found that when I pass the excitement along to my students with hands on activities in the classroom that this generates more response then just presenting and assigning. My biggest concern is… Will schools step up to the tech demands by furnishing us with up-to-date equipment to actually use in the classroom? With limited resources and having to write grants by yourself this narrows down who will actually use these programs.
I was amazed to hear such profound presentation form Travis. It was like he was saying, “Teachers, wake up! Administrators, wake up! Schools, wake up! Districts, wake up! Department of Education, wake up! Government, wake up! Economy, wake up! Nation, wake up! Universe…catch us if you can!” Travis’ call to the full use of utilizing the vast and fast-paced technology toward learning achievement gains sent a “loud-speaker” all. I sure heard it and began to yearn to be a full part of it. If only I could get an iPad3 or even a modern laptop, I too, would plunge waaaay ahead as a teacher. Thanks, Travis! You did an awesome job! Continue to lead the way.
Everyday is a learning experience. Using technogy has made my day easier and less stressful. I agree textbooks are a thing of the past, using IPads, phones, readers, and even overheads are useful tools in helping the students retain more information and keep their attention. The best thing for me, is I can obtain the information I need right than and not wait, because of not having the right book or the llibrary is closed.
I love the ideas of going high tech and think the students will relate better to these methods. I do worry about where the funding will come from. Technology is a very expensive part of education: essential but expensive.
The technology conference and Travis’s remarks were invaluable to me as a first year teacher. Inspiring!
I think that this concept is AWESOME!! I feel like I was one of the precursors to this ‘movement’. When I went to college I was the kid with the laptop taking notes -even in my math classes. I was constantly upping my use of technology in my studies and in my projects. But I know that this is not for every student.
My major concerns are that this upgrade of technology at an exponential rate is severly dwarfed by the fact that education as a whole cannot afford to provide this for all of its students present or future, not with the menial bickering and what-not in the cgovernment. My other concern is that even in this digital age there are students who either get lost using the technology or get lost (absorbed) in the technology and lose their direction.
I believe fascilitating this as a tool is wonderful and fully support its advancement, but we must remember the few who still need the old fashion ‘touchy feely’ items.
This is very exciting to hear as a teacher and learner. There are so many ways to take advantage of the current technology and I’m sure there will be many more people like Travis that will blaze new trails in the future. As a teacher in middle school, I find these ideas helpful but see it more geared to an older student. Just the same, I will be exploring what I can implement in my classroom.
I utilize a large number of apps on my EVO phone and HP Pad just for personal use in the classroom, especially since they work great under the document camera for projection for the whole class. I try to allow the students to use these tools/apps on their phones/electronic devices to allow them to check their answers and become more excited by the sometimes boring content. For examples, for my Algebra classes I downloaded the Polynomial Configurator and for my Geometry classes I downloaded an app similar to GeoScketch pad. The students love the technology, especially since they can take it with them on their phones anywhere. I feel personally we need to as a school district move towards utilizing students’ interest in technology rather than trying to fight its presents.
After hearning your sppech, I was so excited to tell my son about your E-school because he is a tech gee too. When I suggest that you can use Ipad in the classroom, he gave me a dirty look and indciated that the school will not let them use the Ipad in thec classroom. Although using Ipad in the classroom is a wonderful idea, it needs to iron out some of the reality problems.
Thank you so much for sharing your vision with us at the Palm Beach County Technology Conference. You are a difference-maker and I am grateful for having had the opportunity to hear you speak.
The ‘idea’ of learning in an interactive technology enriched environment is a wonderful concept. There is only one problem that absolutely has to be addressed, and not just superficially. The area of concern I’m talking about is the ‘transition and training mode.’ Without proper transitional training from established ‘old school’ teaching methods and the supplying of new technology to make this transition, only a percentage of students will benefit while others are left behind. What is needed is a workable plan fully funded with extensive training and supplies, guaranteed. ‘Training the trainer’ needs to be the FIRST step, not any form of option.
After attending a workshop called Science and Math with Ipad Style and SWAG, I was amazed at all the education apps there were. Your I School Initiative colleague sold me on the ipad. I thought it was all fun and games, and it is fun, but educational as well. The frog disection was really cool and not too gross. The next day I couldn’t wait to tell our Science Dept all about it. The benefits are endless. Imagine getting to go through the process of disecting a frog on a computer first before the real lab and getting the benefit of knowing what you are going to see without all the blood, guts, and smell of Formaldehyde. The other app that interested me was The Elements periodic table. Click on an element and a 3D picture comes up along with all the information about that element. Students will be so much more interested to learn about the elements when they can actually visualize what the teacher is talking about. Thank you for introducing me to the endless opportunities there are on the ipad to engage students and increase their interest.
Hearing Tavis’ Speech is an eye-opening experience for me. I admire his intellegence to turn the tradional way of learning into high tech lerning. It would benefit to many students. However, in my case. my students will not benefit too much from the technology becasue they are physically and metally challenged.
The most important point I think Travis made was that learning can and does take place anywhere. With the high-tech world we are living in today, teachers must take the initiative to enhance their lessons through technology. We are teaching digital natives. Keep a positive attitude and try to learn something new each week that you can add to your lessons. You will be amazed at how much time you save in the end and how much fun you and your students will have learning.
I am ready for ipad in the classroom! Hopefully we can all share the iSchool initiative vision and really empower schools to have better student-centered learning. I see a need for ongoing technology professional learning and more support from administration to make this happen.
Sounds like a doable solution to the current and future budget cuts in education both monetary and environmental impacts.
How does this work in the elementary school? Do you have any documentation or input on that age range?
This is the first year to use the i Pad with ESE students. Our cognitive levels are below 3 years of age for most of our students. As a speech therapist I wanted the special ed. student to have the same chance to explore the world as other kids. The PBC school district allow our site (Royal Palm School, Lantana) to explore the possibilities. After six to eight months with the i Pad the staff and the kids can’t live without it! We have seen such a change in the attending skills of our students. They naturally reached out and started to interact with the device. By selecting Apps, that were appropriate for their level, change the way we teach and interact with our population.
Initiated old school, I’m becoming more adept at utilizing the amazing technology available through the use of iPhones and other electronic devices and I’m having fun learning how to incorporate some of these things into my work and personal life. I was impressed by the initiative you took in sharing your concept with others. As a student, I would have been thrilled to have been able to get rid of the heavy texts and other things I had to lug around with me.
Thank you for bringing enjoyment to learning.
You have been an inspiration for my family and colleagues. We won a grant of 10 iPads for adult education and we are introducing technology and mobile learning. All of our students love it!. We are breaking the fear of technology many of our adult students have. We feel that starting with our adults so they can lose the fear and promote technology for generations is a good thing. I used to tell my grandma: “grandma, it is not difficult to use a computer, you already have the basic knowledge. Just imagine a typewriter, a TV, and a telegram or post office at home, and put them all together. If you want to send me a letter, you just type it on the keyboard and you will see it on the screen-TV. Then by clicking send, you are accomplishing what the post office does in seconds…. Isn’t that awesome?” We need to promote mobile learning from both sides of the human spectrum!
Thank you to all those who left such positive and encouraging messages! My team and I greatly appreciate the opportunity to work with such amazing teachers, school administrators, and students like yourself. I was reading all the great things some of you are working on and want to let you know that we are here to help! Please don’t hesitate to ask if you need anything at all. In the mean time, you could greatly help our team out by filling out a quick survey on what your school is doing today. You can find the link here: http://bit.ly/Jwd1vY
Remember, it only takes 1 person to make change happen! I have no doubt that you are that person.