MApping: integrating mobile technology into geography fieldwork learning and teaching

MApping: integrating mobile technology into geography fieldwork learning and teaching Who is your project team? Naomi Holmes and Adel Gordon How much funding did you receive? £3,000 What is your project: Using mobile technologies in geography field work learning and teaching. The focus of the project was to use an iPad mini to collect data for a Habitat Survey assignment based at Delapre, Northampton. Do you have any outcomes you can report? There was successful use of the iPad mini in ENV2123 for the Habitat Survey assignment. Students used the apps Fieldtrip GB and Skitch to collect data in the field. Also used in other modules to facilitate learning including: Producing group presentations on ‘Citizen Science’ Making iMovie trailers on ‘Conservation Biogeography’ Working in small groups to research and present a research proposal Various apps were used by the students and Apple TV was used to allow the students to present their work immediately in class. Students engaged well with the technology. They enjoyed the sessions and welcomed the opportunity to use creative learning techniques.

Update from the Innovation Fund Panel

Taken from the Raising the Bar Newsletter

The Innovation Fund Panel, comprising Deborah Mattock as Chair, Angie Bartoli (Health), Katie Jones (Institute of Health and Wellbeing), Olinga Taeed (NBS) and Terry Tudor (Science and Technology) met for the first time last week and the funding of two projects was agreed.   These were: • MApping: integrating mobile technology into geography fieldwork learning and teaching (lead: Naomi Holmes); • To use immersive technology devices to prepare for field work (lead: Scott Turner). Congratulations to Naomi and Scott on being the first recipients of the Fund. The Panel received a wide range of project proposals some of which have been deferred for consideration at a later meeting.  In considering the bids, the Panel was particularly pleased to receive bids from individuals or groups who demonstrated collaborative working, either between Schools, between subject areas within Schools, or between Schools and Professional Services.  Projects which demonstrated innovation, either through the use of technology or a different way of working, were also particularly welcomed.  The next meeting of the Panel will be taking place on Thursday 14 November and staff are invited to submit their bids to innovationfund@northampton.ac.uk by Wednesday 6 November 2013.