Emerging Technologies Tetrad

Emerging Technologies Tetrad
Module 2
EDUC 7108



According to EBook Task Force 2000, the has been a shift to the commercial production, sale, and distribution of e-books that has changed how libraries deal with this new technology (Snowhill, 2001). E-books will enhance learning by offering creative possibilities in many ways. Primarily, e-books will never go out of print, new editions can be easily created, content is accessible anytime/anywhere and can be read using a multitude of electronic handheld readers, PCs or laptops.
E-books will obsolete the need for schools to purchase hard cover text books, further eliminating students lugging around backpacks that weigh more than they do. Also, e-books has the potential to greatly alter the public library and how books are checked out by patrons. With e-books, patrons will not have to visit the library to get books, but simply access via the internet. Lastly, with the implementation of e-books in the school environment, students with reading disabilities or the auditory learner will benefit from having an e-book edition that can be read to them, much like books on tape.
If e-books are to emerge and become accepted by a large portion of the population, it is possible that a cell phone application could permit the reading of e-books on a cell phone.
Finally, the content of e-books has the potential to rekindle stories or legends that were once told by family members and passed from generation to generation.

References:
Snowhill, L. (2001). E-books and their future in academic libraries. Retrieved from http://www.dlib.org/dlib/july01/snowhill/07snowhill.html.

Thornburg, D. D. (2008b). Emerging technologies and McLuhan's Laws of Media. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.

Module One

Module One
Current Trends in Educational Technology

The constantly changing landscape of educational technology can be thought of as a series of transitions from older tools to newer ones (Thornburg, 2009). Even though these same tools may have emerged in previous years they are just now becoming emerged in to area of education. One such consideration to the incorporation of new technologies is the residual effect on the environment which Thornburg coins as running hot to going green. In the last year, my entire school district has caught the green bug and has recently installed solar panels on all of our buildings. This not only is cost effective in lowering the supply of electricity we have to purchase but also in that our innovation sheds a positive light to many community members.

While I would like to be able to foresee the day when our students each have a laptop or netbook, I do not think this will be a reality in the near or even distant future. So in selecting a current technology that has emerged that shapes the productivity of my current situation I would have to select United Streaming (US). While this may not be a newly emerged technology it is one in which can be considered emerged in my school. This service allows videos to stream via the computer to benefit an entire room of students. The video selections are from Discovery and other valued sources and provide either full length or clips of specific material.

As more and more teachers began to use this service the need for classroom DVD/VCR players has decreased creating a possible expenditure budget to be utilized for newer, emerging technology. One downfall of this streaming service is that it’s use is contingent upon the speed of the school server, which at times can be quite slow. One other challenge is being able to connect via a cable to the classroom TV so that the entire class does not have to gather around a computer monitor.

In order t o avoid such pitfalls, an in-service training could be provided so that each teacher knows how to connect the TV and the computer, thus easing some of the frustration experienced. All in all, I utilize this service frequently to provide clips and videos to enhance my science lessons.

Thornburg, D. D. (2009a). Current trends in educational technology. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.

http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/

http://www.thwt.org/unitedstreaming.html

blog resonses

I responded to Carol Lee's blog at:

http://carollee387.blogspot.com
and to Charity's blog at:
http://msmomo-educationaltechnology.blogspot.com

Module 5

While it may be safe to assume that people have positive attitudes toward experimenting with new technologies in the workplace, it may be equally safe to assume that you will encounter people in the workplace who have low self-efficacy in experimenting with new technologies. Briefly describe a situation in which you have encouraged people to use a new technology and have been met with resistance or disappointing results. What attitudes did these people exhibit? What behaviors did they demonstrate? Using Keller’s ARCS model, describe how you could change the motivation of these people, or learners, to encourage success.


In my current work environment there are many feeling scorned by technology advancements and would simply rather continue to do things the way they have always been done. I must also admit that technology has slowed certain tasks down, for example computing and posting grades. It is actually much quicker to break out the calculator and average grades than it has been to access the RealTime grading component, but this is because of server is so slow. Even though the computer generation of grades is a slower process, it does have advantages over keeping a paper grade book. At any given time, I can access the system and give provide students with an up to date average, missing assignments, test scores etc. It is the positives of technology integration that need to be presented to faculty in order to ease their inhibitions and encourage the use of technology.

I have attempted to get my colleagues to use technology in their daily lessons and have been met with much resistance and excuses. Many feel that having just one computer per classroom is pointless and not a tool that can be used by all students. One such way a teacher can integrate the use of one computer to enhance a lesson for the entire class is by streaming via United Streaming a video that coincides with a lesson. While some were willing to try, the attitude of others was of disconnection.

In applying Keller’s ARCS model, I would be able to possibly change the naysayers and even influence them to use the available technology. I would have to first enhance the relevance of integrating technology by having the learners (faculty) determine how the instruction would relate to personal goals (what they want to accomplish in the lesson). I would have to build on the learner’s previous knowledge/experiences allowing time for transition. Secondly, confidence would need to be built by creating a positive environment in which the learner can set their own goals permitting them to be in control of their experiences. Lastly, I would allow time for the learners to use the newly acquired skills while providing support, encouragement and praise. If the learner views the experience as positive and possible then the integration of new technologies may be more successful.

References

Driscoll, M.P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson Education, Inc.

I responded to Sherry Breeden's post at http://sbreeden71.blogspot.com

I responded to Wandra's blog at http://wpc-eductech.blogspot.com

Module 4 Connectivism

Connectivism
Connections that facilitate learning

My network is ever evolving and changing the way in which I learn.Since embarking on the journey of attaining my masters and now an Ed.S degree I have been exposed to a wide variety of tools that I now consider an essential component to my learning experiences. Some of these include Google docs., wikispaces, blogs, and communicating with Skype. I like the flexibility of online courses, but was concerned about feeling connected to those in the classes and I must say a bit apprehensive when first tackling an online learning community in which each member was logged on and sharing. I feel that the collaboration is real and meaningful. It is also something that I never would have considered had it not been for my continued course work.

I seem to have a lot of questions and I will usually bounce ideas off of my colleagues, for I know that I will get an honest response. I value the opinions of my family also and depending on the nature of my question I will use them as a resource also. If questions are posed that require further research, as in an educational env
ironment, I will use Google or Ask.com or simply tye in a few key words and access the internet for answers. With technology virtually at my fingertips all the time, with cell phones, laptops, etc. finding answers to most questions can be accessed and answered with the push of a few keys.