Group items tagged

Combining the best of both worlds.

A darker side to an emerging technology?

This article is further proof that many of the emerging educational technology initiatives are driven not by student performance but by the desire to earn profits. K12,inc. seems to be a particularly shady (and highly successful) business in this regard.

This is a great article, looking at how technology is changing student expectations and pedagogy.

Doesn't specifically go into educational uses, but it's possible to see where many fit in.

As emergent as we seem to be (or as a society, WANTS to be), notice some of the deep-seeded thoughts around traditional educational practice that are sprinkled throughout the article.

Jerry Brown, Governor of California, speaks out about the ineptitude of standardized tests as a comprehensive, accurate way of measuring student learning. This idea is germane to most of what we are learning about the virtues of performance-based assessments, constructivist approach to learning, and the future of education. Does anybody think that there will ever be a time when standardized testing is replaced by something more effective? Emerging technologies like augmented reality simulations and multi-user virtual environments could be candidates for the replacement of standardized paper-based tests. Interesting to think about...

While not an emerging tehnology per se, social networks can serve as indicators of how, why and who is using and CREATING web content. I think the creation part of this exchange is key in that it ishere that the disruptive element of the technology comes into play. In my studies of Podcasts for the wiki assignment I found that many first time podcasters subscribers experimented with recording their own Podcast before becoming regular consumers. How does this relate to the facebook vs. myspace arguement, you ask? SImple, myspace is a more customizable portal/page that allows users to express and communicate their own, often marginalized socio-cultural identity. Facebook on the other hand asks users to define their online persona via 'freinds', shared photos, profile text fields, etc. For many recent immigrant and children, the formation and identification of an imagined community is an attractive thing. Somalian wallpaper, Manga flash videos embedded, Dominican Republic Flag .gifs waving all over..and MUSIC.

Here's a brief article with statistics on online social networking divide. What does your online social networking preference reveal about your social class?

Will online social networking create or perpetuate a "caste system" within online communities?

Here's a little media literacy for our emerging technologies.

Memphis, TN teachers are getting real-time coaching on their teaching performances- by wearing EARBUDS as a coach in the back of the room tells them what to do! This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen. This is an example of emerging technology meddling in the mix and enabling a Big Brother style environment for teachers. These are people who are in charge of leading our kids, not coaching a football game!

This topic is similar to what Uche posted about the millionaire teacher (below). The encouragement in the article is for great teachers to realize the position that they are in to lead the education revolution.

Interesting article about teaching ESL that brings up the question "is learning another language based largely on interpersonal relationships?" Language is essentially about communicating with other people, whether in spoken or written form, so computers may actually not be that helpful in this process.

This video series goes inside the classrooms of educators who use technology tools in their lessons every day. Learn from their challenges, celebrate their successes, and share their resources in every episode.

Chris Lehmann is the founding principle of an innovative science and technical high school in Philadelphia (Science Leadership Academy) and will be the keynote speaker at the next ISTE conference. This is an interview where he discusses where he thinks technology and education are headed.

Brian Lukoff, a Technology & Education Postdoc Fellow working with Eric Mazur, just sent me this article which discusses their new ed tech startup Learning Catalytics.  It's the evolution of the Eric's clicker supported Peer Instruction.  I'm meeting with Brian and Eric on Tuesday to setup a TIE spring internship doing business development for Learning Catalytics.

The role technology can play in expanding the time during which learning can take place.

Another article about "expanded learning time" both online and via community-based "brick and mortar" locations like libraries, YMCA, and Boys & Girls Clubs. "Out-of-school programs can be strong partners for schools who want to leverage expanded learning time to help their students achieve global competence. Youth-serving organizations share the broad mission to promote student success in work and life in the 21st century. Out-of-school program organization and management is often based on an asset model that values diversity. In order to attract and retain participants, out-of-school programs are centered around youth engagement through hands-on and experiential learning, often with a focus on 21st century skills, service learning, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, and others."

I wonder what Helen Haste would think of this organization . . .

Over the most recent few weeks I've seen similar articles touting the iPod Touch (as opposed to iPads or other tablets). More similar to use of phones as computing devices.

In India, classroom goes 3D and technology is used to make classroom learning more interesting and simple experience for students.

Top ten stories in education in 2011. Not surprisingly, all of these stories are, one way or other, related to educational technologies. Many facets of our education are evolving simultaneously.