Chapter 1: Emerging Technology Trends for Education
- wireless connectivity
- merging of technologies
- developments in portable devices
- availability of high-speed communications
- visual immersion systems
- intelligent applications
I believe that some if not most of the above technology trends are being used in schools. At Penta they had wireless connectivity such as mobile labs. In English our teacher brought down the cart full of new computers so that we could write papers. The reason that Penta had mobile labs is because they do not have a computer lab that the students could go to. Although Penta had mobile labs my home school did not have any mobile labs. We had a library and some computers in the classroom where we could go to use the computers. I think that it is great that schools can have mobile labs so every kid could have a computer to use. I also think that more schools need help with resources to get some kind of technology in their schools. The book also talked about merging of technologies with phones and digital cameras, text messages, and Internet. In an elementary school I would not use this type of device to get a hold of the students or anything like that. I would use it in high school or colleges when class or school gets canceled. Then with availability of high-speed communications is a way that people can have Internet connection at home and at school. You can use this with homework, online activities and communications between the teacher and parents. Finally with visual immersion systems and intelligent applications I do see how these could be used in the classroom but it will be in the future when we hear more about those two trends. Overall every trend that was discussed in the text is currently being used but it is up to the school, school resources and teachers to implement in the classroom.
A mobile lab sounds like a good alternative to the traditional computer lab. While technology is great and helpful in education it can also be very expensive to keep current. Most computers are out of date after 2 years and if school districts want to stay current they must pay. With funding for critical subjects already tight schools must turn to grant programs to pay for the technology or go without. Open enrollment and school choice makes going without technology an unrealistic option for schools who are looking to increase enrollment and competitiveness.
ReplyDeleteI agree that visual immersion systems would be useful in the classroom. It would be beneficial to develop visual immersion systems because they would add a new dimension to education. Teachers are always looking for ways to authentically present information. This would be a great tool for teachers to use because it would give children an opportunity to grasp a concept through a real-world context without leaving the classroom. Hopefully, we will hear more about this trend in the future!
ReplyDeleteI agree that it would be inappropriate to use certain technologies in an early childhood setting such as cell phones for text messaging. I do however think that in an early childhood classroom you could contact students or their through a classroom website to give them reminders on homework and upcoming events. I don’t think I would even use cell phones in high school, I have heard of lawsuits involving teachers who text students. That would make me wary of using cell phones as a classroom technology because I would not want any parents of community members to misconstrue an educational activity for something inappropriate. Also, if high school students are given permission to use cell phones for activities such as in class room polls, they will likely start text messaging each other during the activity.
ReplyDelete