A brief introduction to the unX initiative

Leo Burd, PhD

Research Scientist, MIT Center for Mobile LearningApril 18, 2013

Acknowledgements

Why mobile learning & entrepreneurship?

• Engaged learningMinimize the distance between learning, work and life

• Digital EmpowermentTurn technology consumers into digital inventors and citizens of the information society

• Gateway to the futureBuild on local knowledge and skills. Open up new opportunities for countries and regions

Aplicaciones para la seguridad: Evita escribir texto mientras conduces

Aplicaciones para el bien humanitario y social

AFTER

Ahora la distribución de comida y de agua es más fluida y eficiente..

Utilizando App Inventor, los trabajadores de socorro de Haití desarrollaron una aplicación para facilitar la distribución de alimentos y agua, realizando un seguimiento de los elementos a través de una base de datos centralizada.

Aplicaciones para una mejor atención médica

Desarrollado por tres estudiantes universitarios, la aplicación Compal utiliza la cámara del teléfono para realizar el análisis de las pruebas médicas en lugares donde la atención médica regular no está fácilmente disponible.

Aplicación “Mobile Math”: Destruir las minas de manera segura

Un soldado del Cuerpo de Marines de EE.UU. creó una aplicación que calcula la cantidad de explosivos necesarios para destruir municiones y minas que se encuentran o incautan en el campo.

http://notes.hfoss.org/index.php/TreeCalc:Main_Page

Aplicaciones de la ciencia en el Campo:

Midiendo la altura de un árbol

Main objectives of the course

Foster app development

Promote the analysis and development of new businesses

Foster a sense of entrepreneurship and self-esteem

We don’t want to be like edX!

Contents in Spanish and Portuguese

Open beyond universities

Explicit focus on workforce development

Learning organized in smaller chunks

Greater focus on practical learning, social connectivity, opportunity awareness

Complement already-existing organizations of different kinds

unX is a learning and entrepreneurship platform to and from the Ibero-American communityunX is a learning and entrepreneurship platform to and from the Ibero-American community

Next steps

Launch in Brazil

New courses

Creation of an active, inclusive and participatory network

Experimentation with technology and learning models that are more appropriate to our reality

Going mobile

Research questions

How to assess the needs and the entrepreneurial potential of a given region?

What kind of feedback (learning analytics) might be the most beneficial for students and facilitators?

In what ways can mobile technology raise awareness to and add value to existing online and face-to-face opportunities?

How to foster inclusion, engagement and participation?

Getting involved

Join redunx.org

Come up with new classes and ideas

Explore new business models and opportunities for individual and social empowerment

Help us promote the network!

Leo Burdleoburd@media.mit.edu