Education Through Entertainment

5 Helpful Technologies to Try in Your Classroom This Year

Posted on Mon, Sep 12, 2022

5 Helpful Technologies to Try in Your Classroom This Year

 

(Image from Pexels)

 

If you’ve ever had a Mobile Ed program visit your facility, you know that we can’t do our programs without the latest and greatest cutting-edge technology and tools. Over the past 40 years, we’ve had the gift of offering more and more programs based on new technologies that have helped us educate millions of students across the country. Technology is a valuable part of the modern classroom, and it’s opened up new forms of learning, virtual classrooms, testing, and research. We here at Mobile Ed have several technology recommendations that might help you as you plan this year. 

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6 New Technologies to Try This Year

Posted on Mon, Sep 13, 2021

6 New Technologies to Try This Year

Over the past eighteen months, technology has been relied upon to remake the classroom and provide essential education to students. School districts have scrambled to bridge technological gaps, provide lessons on new platforms, and develop technological proficiencies within their staff, all with no formal training or time. Whether you’re a teacher, student, parent, staff, or administrator, everyone has had to adjust and grow into this new way of school. 

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STEM Education – Welcome To The World Of The Jetsons!

Posted on Tue, Oct 15, 2013

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The Voices From 120 Years Ago – Thomas Edison And The Birth Of Sound

Posted on Wed, Oct 2, 2013

For years Mobile Ed has had a relationship with Thomas Edison. Raised in Michigan, as was Mobile Ed, Mr. Edison was responsible for hundreds and thousands of patented inventions, many of which have changed civilization. And for years, one of our assembly programs has crisscrossed the country bringing the great inventor to life for children and sharing with them some of his greatest works.

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Facebook, Newsweek And School Assemblies

Posted on Thu, Oct 18, 2012


Interesting news the today. Newsweek, the renowned news magazine, has announced it will cease printing a hard copy version of itself and focus all of it’s efforts on it’s online edition. A sign of the times reiterated by a recent poll showing social networking site Facebook has now taken the lead as the most important brand in the world over such giants as Google, Disney and Apple. Clearly, people are spending more and more time online and less and less in previously popular pastimes.

What does this mean for our culture?

At one time, the most popular form of entertainment was live theatre. At that time, the only alternatives were other “live” art forms such as music and dance. One hundred years ago, everyone went to the theatre. At least, everyone who could. Then came movies. Then came television. Today, the remaining world of theatre is composed of New York musical extravaganzas, alongside small “cottage industry” theatres that still present plays in much the same form that William Shakespeare would recognize, were he alive today. Such is the power of technology. I don’t lament this trend, but it is interesting to watch. How long before theatre transforms through technology into some form of hologram that pops up on your coffee table? 

In education we are witnessing similar inroads. More and more classrooms are adopting interactive, computer based technologies such as smart boards into regular classroom instruction. Schools are integrating more and more communication into online formats. And more and more classes and degrees are available through online sources. Is this good or not? Events are moving so quickly it is difficult to tell, though I suspect for the main part it is all wonderful.

Still, there is something lost when a child receives all instruction through technology. Human interaction is important. It just is.

Many years ago, my late brother used to say “A phone call is better than a letter. But a face to face visit is better than a phone call.” I suspect he was right, and I suspect a human face is still better than a computer screen. 

Live educational school shows provide the opportunity for talented and experienced performers to take students to places in their education that a computer screen simply cannot touch. I refuse to accept that a book can convey the humanity of Abraham Lincoln more effectively than 45 minutes in the presence of the man himself. One of our competitors offers a mobile planetarium, of sorts, that makes use of a very well produced movie projected on the inside of a dome. Interesting, and well produced I am certain, with many cool special effects. But it cannot compete with an actual planetarium presentation, such as Sky Dome, offering  a live guide presenting the program and constantly adjusting and tailoring the show though interaction with the audience.

To paraphrase my brother, a computer class is good, but a skilled teacher is better. And a talented performer, acting as a skilled teacher, and  presenting a live school assembly is the best of all!

Oh... and,uh ...don't forget to visit us on Facebook! :-)

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