Rhymes of History

According to Thornburg, rhymes of history define the impact of new technology that may rekindle something from the past. For instance, smart board technology, which uses touch detection for user input has replaced the traditional chalk and blackboard technology that was utilized in schoolhouses across the country. In the early 1800’s, James Pillans, who was a headmaster of a high school in Scotland, invented the blackboard. There were many advantages of using the blackboard such as the sharp contrast it offered and its inexpensive cost. Unfortunately, blackboards did not have the sophistication that is offered by smart board technology, which engages students in collaborative interactive learning projects.

http://smarttech.com/Home%20Page/Solutions/Education%20Solutions/Early%20Education

Reference:

Laureate Education, Inc. (2009). Emerging and future technology. Baltimore, MD: Author.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackboard

Innovation: Computer

Enhancement: What does this technology do? This innovation allows people to work more efficiently, access large amounts of information, socialize, shop, listen to music, and access people from all over the world.	Obsolete: This innovation replaced many former technologies, as well as the personal contact that people had with one another.  Additionally, this technology replaced record players, radios, and 8 track tape players.
Retrieve/Rekindle: This innovation brings back the connection to the radio, record players, and 8 track tape players.	Reverse: Unknown. This innovation has become a part of our everyday lives and the continual upgrades to make it smaller and faster will likely occur in the future.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.     What does this technology do? This innovation has replaced jobs by offering efficiencies to users. Additionally, this technology has replaced record players, radios, and other music sources by digitally creating transportable and accessible forms of music.

2.     What does this technology replace? This innovation replaces record players, tape recorders, radios, and tape players.

3.     What does this technology bring to mind from the past? This technology brings back music from the past that has been heard on radios, record players, and tape players.

4.     What might replace this technology in the future, or what might it cause to occur? It is unlikely this technology will be replaced anytime soon because of the role it plays in our everyday lives. It is likely this technology will continually become smaller and faster.

Emerging Technologies and Future Technologies

Cloud computing's Top Issues for Higher education:

http://www.universitybusiness.com/article/cloud-computings-top-issues-higher-education

Cloud computing has been touted as an up and coming innovation that offers companies a cost effective way to store large amounts of data at an off-site storage system, which is maintained by a third party company.  For academic institutions, this innovation has the potential to change the way education is delivered and accessed by students.  More specifically, Cloud Computing offers learners 24 hour access to course software from any rural or remote location. Additionally, this technological service has the capacity to cut costs on IT overhead, staffing, and software upgrades for colleges that choose purchase this service.  According to Britto (2012) cloud service providers perform system maintenance and offer software upgrades, which reduce annual maintenance costs for any organization.

Unfortunately, this technology has not been adopted as fast as first predicted, due to the lack of security, reliability, and unforeseen server maintenance and power outage issues. According to Dialogic (2010), the main challenges of cloud computing are storing and securing data. Consequently, colleges and universities are obligated to protect student data and information by the federal FERPA law. Therefore, until colleges and universities are assured that student data and information is secure and remains private, full adoption of this technology is unlikely.

References:

Britto, M. (January, 2012). Cloud computing in higher education. Retrieved at: http://www.librarystudentjournal.org/index.php/lsj/article/view/289/321

Introduction to Cloud Computing. (2010). Retrieved at: http://www.dialogic.com/solutions/cloud-communications/build/~/media/products/docs/whitepapers/12023-cloud-computing-wp.pdf



MD6: Learning theory

As a student with a disability, it is easier to learn online because I have time to reflect and process course content over time, as well as refer to those resources throughout the semester.  Unfortunately, it can be difficult for me to capture course content in a face to face class that uses traditional teaching methodologies. According to Driscoll (2005), educators are able to use instructional theory that supports customizable curriculum, which accommodates and addresses students with various learning styles and abilities.  During this program, I have realized how important it has become to be an active and engaged member of online learning communities. For instance, the weekly discussions offer me access to a group of learners with very different experiences and backgrounds. This diversity enhances my overall understanding of how education is being impacted by technology across the country, as well as educational strategies that I could use in the classroom.

As an educator, I believe that it is important to create a learning space that supports the needs of diverse learners.  More specifically, I believe that students need to be at the center of the learning experience, and the educator’s role is to guide students, in knowledge construction and application, in various contexts. According to Driscoll (2005), it is not enough for students to take in the information; they must also use the knowledge, within various contexts.  For example, constructionism offers educators a theoretical framework that allows students to explore, think and reflect on their environment.  I believe that in order to ensure students have the skills needed to be successful; educators must put students at the center of the learning experience.

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

MD5: Keller's ARC Model

Recently, our consortium leadership team decided to utilize Webinar technology in order to save travel time for teachers and ensure 100% group attendance at monthly meetings. Unfortunately, the secondary partners had a difficult time teaching their classes, and participating as consortium group members because of travel time.  In order to ensure secondary participation, we opted to try Webinar technology, which would allow teachers to be in the classroom and still attend the meetings, because they did not have to drive30-40 minutes for a two hour meeting.

Initially, there was a lot of ambivalence from the group on adopting this technology. Consequently, most of the members were unfamiliar with its function and capabilities. In order to obtain 100% adoption, the leadership team purchased the necessary tools needed (camera for computer, headphones, and the Webinar technology) to meet virtually and perform consortium work.  Once the technology was in place, the executive team offered hands on training, which allowed consortium members the opportunity to learn how to set up and attend meetings. Before the hands on training, we utilized a tutorial that walked them through the processes needed to master and use the technology.  Also, those that were comfortable and well versed in using this technology volunteered to answer questions and provide feedback on their use of the technology.

Additionally, we shared with them the value this technology could bring to the group. For instance, secondary teachers would not have to pay substitute teachers, drive to meeting locations, and they would save time and money for their districts.  Within two months, consortium members were motivated to use the technology because of the repeated successes they had with the technology over time.  According to Driscoll (2005), Keller’s ARC model serves to motivate engagement and learning by including these four components relevance, attention, confidence, and satisfaction. 

Driscoll, M. P. (2005). Psychology of learning for instruction. Boston, MA: Pearson Education.

Classmate’s blogs that I responded to:

http://lylesedtech.blogspot.com/2012/08/motivating-students-in-beginning.html?showComment=1344440046809#c559592435697108156

http://corablades1.blogspot.com/2012/08/moduel-5-new-technologies.html#comment-form

Connectivism

Connectivism:



My network has changed the way I learn because it offers me instant and accessible resources from around the world. For instance, blogs that I follow allow me to read about educational trends that are happening across the globe from a diverse group of experts in the field.  Additionally, my network has allowed me to learn both formally and informally through videos, podcasts, and social networking sites. However, while creating my mind map, I realized that I need to seek out personalized learning communities to join. Becoming a member of a learning community allows me access to others and encourages me to engage in dialogue and use my voice.

            My favorite digital tools that foster learning are Camtasia; Snag it, and IMovie technology.  Since I enrolled at Walden University, my interest in the area of audio and video technology has flourished.  Prior to my enrollment in the Educational Technology program, I did not know these tools existed and had never used them in the classroom. However, I am now able to incorporate this technology into coursework so that students can learn how to utilize these digital tools.  Additionally, I fully utilize my IPad and IPhone to access anytime, anywhere information and resources.

Currently, I use tutorials, blogs, search engines and mobile technology to answer questions and glean new knowledge.

Classmate’s blogs I posted to:

Wojoedtech.blogspot.com (Laura)

Learningsquared.blogspot.com (Seane)

Collaboration

Collaboration Module 3:

Yes, I do believe that humans, like insects, fish, locusts, and others in the animal kingdom,  form networks that create connections and relationships that allow us to emerge and work as high functioning community networks. According to Fischer (2009) collective behavior results from simple rules of social interaction between people. According to Rheingold (2008), many corporations are creating supercomputing collectives that allow people to work to find solutions for our world problems. These relationships are effective because the members of the system work from an understanding that when we enrich others, we enrich ourselves. Finally, we have discovered that we are able to do more for our world collectively, than we are as individuals, and technology is the tool that links us to create effective working community networks.

Technology can facilitate collaboration among learners utilizing constructivist principles by bringing groups of people not limited by time and space, to build on positive educational experiences.  According to Reste & Laferriere (2007), convincing evidence indicates learning benefits for online collaborative learning includes high order thinking skills, student satisfaction with the learning experiences, and improved productivity.  However, in order for collaborative learning to be successful teachers need to create a learning space that focuses on student engagement and pedagogical strategies that foster the development of a knowledge building community and are student centered and steeped in constructivist principles.

References:

Fisher, L. (2009). The Perfect Swarm. New York, New York. Basic Books.

Resta, P. & Laferriere, T., (2007). Technology in support of collaborative learning. Educational Psychology

Review.  Retrieved at: http://www.edb.utexas.edu/cscl/2010/readings/resta_2007.pdf

Rheingold, H. (2008, February). Howard Rheingold on collaboration [Video file]. Retrieved at

                http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/howard_rheingold on collaboration.html

Classmates I responded to:

http://wojoedtech.blogspot.com/

http://corablades1.blogspot.com/