Group items tagged

"What does the iPad have to teach educational technology about how a phenomenon becomes popular and adopted? Quite a bit. First, acceptance is high, with a half-million units sold in the first week of release. Six weeks later, Apple was selling twice as many iPads per week as Mac computers. Given some recent history, this should be surprising-the idea of a tablet device has been around for at least a decade or two, but most such devices have not experienced anything close to wide adoption. However, some specific factors have paved the way for the iPad's adoption. And these factors harbor advice that educational technology would do well to heed. Prime the technology pump. The iPhone, direct predecessor to the iPad, came onto the market amid a wave of technology that permitted small packages to deliver powerful computing. This hardware, including GPS location sensors, fast and efficient microprocessors, and the evolution of touch screen technology was a necessary condition for the emergence and success of both the iPhone and the iPad generation of devices. Define (and answer) the problem. The hugely popular mobile smartphones had an equally huge problem. People hated their interfaces. A decade of frustration with labyrinthian voicemail menus and inscrutable settings had created an army of frustrated mobile phone users with enough pent-up rage to fuel a revolution. By providing a device that was easy to use, the iPhone had identified a core problem and set a new bar for its solution, one that was quickly taken up by many others. Whet undiscovered appetites. The explosion of mobile devices also created for millions the idea of constant, away-from-home connectivity. The iPhone upped the ante significantly by providing a full browsing and even computing experience, giving consumers the expectation that they should be only inches away from powerful, networked computing at all times. Provide the practice. The iPhone defined a new set of touch-based interactions. Whi

Impressive table that compares traditional (analog) classroom practice to and potential digital possiblities.

About the Khan Academy: The Khan Academy is a not-for-profit with the mission of providing a world-class education to anyone, anywhere. We are complementing Salman's ever-growing library with user-paced exercises--developed as an open source project--allowing the Khan Academy to become the free classroom for the World.

Watch. Practice. Learn almost anything for free. With a library of over 2,700 videos covering everything from arithmetic to physics, finance, and history and 276 practice exercises, we're on a mission to help you learn what you want, when you want, at your own pace.

Blended Model Must Have: 1) Development of Cohesive Learning Communities - early & recurring face-to-face must occur - Initial meetings must emphasize "reflective dialogues" and "interactive activities" for bonding & buy-in. - participants must effective use early sessions for "curriculum planning" and "new pedagogical techniques." - Large Video Conferencing Does Not Work! (- but a webinar can engaged many people with buddy groups.) 2) Project Portal Must be Reliable and Simple - video conferencing is OK 3) Administrative Support is Crucial. 4) Facilitators are Essential. 5) Critical Component is the Ongoing Monitoring of Participant's Needs. - through surveys, evaluations, informal feedback, etc... 6) Successful Practices Structure Opportunities to Share and Discuss Teaching Practices. 7) Teacher "Risk-Taking" can be Increased - - for trying new technologies in the context of curriculum writing, 8) Effective Initiatives Build a A Critical Mass 9) True Transformation Requires Time

There are some interesting finds in this article; although, I would say we are all utilizing most of these technologies all ready as part of our practice.

I was just about to add this article when I saw you already had. I agree that we are using many of them. I would like to know more about the Epson projector that is an IWB. I believe that product is somthing to watch!

Good anecdote for lessons on Internet research best practices.  The right answer is not always going to be at the top or even on the first page of results! 

Digital Media: New Learners of the 21st Century addresses this vital question, taking viewers to the frontlines of what is rapidly becoming an education revolution. The film, targeted at parents, teachers, and anyone concerned about education in America, explores how exceptional educators are increasingly using digital media and interactive practices to ignite their students' curiosity and ingenuity, help them become civically engaged, allow them to collaborate with peers worldwide, and empower them to direct their own learning.

I love how the video taps into the power and importance of "play" as a route to learning.

Regarding what's missing from the Core Common Standards -- new texts, new media, viewing...  Where does "complexity" of new media text get taught? How will teachers learn to parse it?  Is new media analysis and production a discipline?  Yes in my opinion.  Is it interdisciplinary? Yes.  Media related to various content areas have their own criteria.  Video, photography, blogs, social networks and the systems that deliver them are, in a way, their own languages. They are increasingly dominating how our society functions, informs and represents itself.  HOW can this still be an afterthought for educators?  Fear?  Uncertainty on how to proceed?  Because it's not tested? The text landscape is more complex than the textbook.  

This is a great resource that more schools are mandating links to on their local web site ... Thanks for sharing, Logan.

This was presented at a conference I recently attended. It demonstrates how vital feedback is in changing teacher practice.

the Department of Education is engaging more actively in education internationally and has developed its first-ever, fully-integrated international strategy, Succeeding Globally Through International Education and Engagement, to guide our work.

Very good resource for all schools

New York City Looking To Bring Networking, Technology and Social Media Into The Classroom. Interview with Lisa Nielsen newly appointed Director of Digital Literacy and Citizenship at the New York City Department of Education

NYC DOE sees the light!! - They have created position of Director of Digital Literacy and Citizenship - primary role to help teachers understand possibilities of social media and how they might use various tools - Facebook, Twitter, wikis - effectively as part of their professional practice.

News letter with good links to Technology in education

Guest post by Steve Kinney. Cross posted at http://stevekinney.net There is a lot to like about the iPad when it comes to using them in the classroom. It's light and fast. It turns on instantly. The battery lasts all day. Best of all, it's about half the price of a MacBook.

Vinod Khosla talks about the next wave of education reform... there's a lot of best practices that we currently use mentioned here. Good, quick read.

I made this screencast to help us in terms of using the Diigo Forum tool. Take a look and let's start posting our issues, best practices, etc...

Some great approaches and interesting debate points within this collection