Packing Slip 
item |
Options in Mobile Computing |
contact |
Brooke Estabrook-Fishinghawk (Mesa Community College) estabrook@mail.mc.maricopa.edu |
credits |
Martin Gonzalez Angie Surber Susan Miller |
college(s) |
Mesa Community College |
discipline(s) |
CIS |
summary |
I conducted research to determine what role emerging mobile technologies are playing in my discipline, Computer Information Systems. I interviewed industry professionals about the technologies, read articles, demo-ed technologies , and tested a PC emulator. |
details |
The purpose of my project was to familiarize myself with various mobile technologies to stay up-to-date in my field and share my knowledge and experience with my colleagues and my students. The primary goal of the research was to research various types of mobile technology devices to determine which technologies are industry standards, whether or not programs can be written for those technologies, and whether the technologies are likely to remain standards or quickly become outdated. I discovered that there is not one standard device that industry favors over others. Depending on the company or user, a device is chosen that meets the needs with the features it offers. Price is also a consideration. At the current time the industry seems to indicate that we are right on the edge of the next generation of Pocket PC phone units. When phones are combined with Pocket PC's, they all the features needed with access to real time data via email and the internet. It would be feasible to offer workshops in getting started with Pocket PC’s but they would all have to be the same type as it is not practical to teach different devices in the same classroom. There are emulators that could teach all students to learn to use one type of mobile device (IPAQ for example) but that emulator is limited to the number of devices it supports at the present time. Given the current status of the devices, you could offer an internet class in mobile devices and have tracks that students could choose to match one of 4 popular devices. This information would have to be frequently updated as hardware and software changes monthly in this field. You could also offer a Phone device course for a high end mobile PC/Phones but all participants would need to have the same hardware and most likely the same provider for a live class. My students need to be ready to use Mobile Devices when they are hired but there is no way to determine which mobile device they might need to master. Therefore preparing with some baseline skills for the most popular devices through on online class or a PC emulator enhanced course is a possibility. ------------------------------------------------------------ Outcomes: In a paragraph or two describe what worked well. Did you accomplish your objective(s)? Were you able to complete your summer project as written? If not, what did you modify and why? What did not go as well as expected, if anything? Were there any surprises? Note: Use the questions as guides for your outcomes. Do not include detailed list of workshops attended, speakers who presented, or a list of items you have seen, heard, or read. ------------------------------------------------------------ I was able to complete my summer project as written. It was very productive to spend time learning more about the technologies to know what are viable options for instructions. The research paired well with the interviews I completed with the industry professionals. I was able to ask very specific questions to determine what would be practical and useful to offer. It is an exciting area of technology that changes even faster than PC technology. The difficult part was not having the variety of devices to test. I did try to test some in a few retail locations but all features are not active. I am ready to share my findings with the department to determine if and when we should offer this course. The emulator does make a big impact on the possibility to teach the class in a live setting. It would be nice if we had polling software at the college to determine how many students plan to use these devices or already have them. I do plan to speak with our research office to see how I could obtain some data regarding mobile technology needs in our student population. ------------------------------------------------------------ Professional Growth: Your own professional growth is a large part of your project. Your professional growth is important to you, your students, your college, and possibly other colleagues. How did project affect you professionally? What skills did you learn? What environments were you working in and how might your summer project influence your teaching or other responsibilities? Did you gain a different perspective? Was it professionally valuable for you? ------------------------------------------------------------ This project was professionally valuable to me. I was able to read about, talk about and some mobile devices. I think the project clarified my perspective on what and how to offer instruction in mobile technologies. Although I am very excited to offer this technology, I think it would be best to wait one year to develop this class as the technology of Pocket PC's and cellular phones merge together. I am also able to use the knowledge gained to make better choices purchasing mobile devices. As a CIS faculty member, I know that students want to know about many technology areas not just the PC. I can now have a more detailed discussion in my CIS105 sections about mobile devices to help them understand the options in this area. In addition, I can talk with my Java programming students about another career direction in programming. (programming for mobile devices) I have already begun to share the knowledge I have with colleagues. ------------------------------------------------------------ Dissemination: How will you share this information with your colleagues, department, students, or college? ------------------------------------------------------------ I currently teach a variety of CIS courses and I am working on a lecture addendum to introduce mobile technologies and the possibilities for use in the workplace. In addition, my project will benefit my colleagues. I will be presenting my findings and results at my next CIS department meeting and we can further discuss how we shall address the needs of the students in this area. I will link the results to my web site for others to learn and share. Note! As a professional courtesy to the owner of this package, if you use some aspect of this package or have some thoughts about it, please share your feedback via the comments form below. |
web links |
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/fpg/ |
shareback |
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extra |
Last modified: Sep-02-2005 Date created: Aug-23-2005 Visitor count: 3587 Dublin Core Metadata record  This package is included in the Faculty Professional Growth Summer Project Reports special collection. |
Maricopa Learning eXchange
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/mlx/slip.php?item=1662
