I feel that the higher education campus will not change much in the near future. In the last few years there has been a transformation of how we teach and how we learn. Technology has played a big role in this transformation. The physical campus, though, has changed by adding all types of technologies. When technology and people work together, learners and educators reap the benefits. The more we learn about technology and pedagogy, the more we realize that we must bring these two together in a physical place. The capacity of educational technology will never be sufficient to replace the higher education campus. Yet, balancing technology and pedagogy will bring learners, educators, and the content into a more sophisticated physical learning environment.

Lu,
You have made a very important point: technology used as a babysitter.
Being a "computer" teacher for a long time, I often saw other "computer" teachers use the computer for "free time".
As educators, we need to find a balance between using technology as an educational tool and as a tool for "other stuff".

The ultimate guide for teachers bringing tech into the classroom. Get expert info and advice on today's top educational technology, and find more than 150 online resources organized by subject and age. http://www.myteachingdegreeonline.org/education-technology-tools/

Sean,
I am very happy that you found the information I posted useful. It just amazing the amount of technology resources for all types of population. Students in school are being immersed in the technology. However, as you mentioned, us, more experienced individuals, can also benefit from resources such as MOOCs. I have been reading much about MOOCs and they seem very promising. However, I have not taken any MOOCs. Lately, I have been participating in several excellent webinars.

This article presents several tech habits to become a more effective technology user. Which tech habit do you think is more important for you in your job or as a graduate student?

Lu, you have a very important comment about a good tech habit: update your software. We are now able to transmit audio, video, and other multimedia files to mobile devices. The number of apps out there is incredible. However, we need to continuosly update our software. If we don't update, we are running the risk of our software not meeting our needs and the needs of those we serve.

Amanda, I really like the convenience of online back up and I use it effectively. Online back up has allow me access to my files anywhere there is an Internet connection. However, like you, I rely heavily on my computer's hard drive and external hard drives. I think it's a habit that is hard to break. Plus, you never know when those online back up sites may crash. Thank you for your comments.

Educational reform has not worked since the 1983 report: A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform or other waves of reform since then. There is no single reform that can transform education. Our educational system has deep-rooted problems. Many proposed reforms are just a band aide approach. To bring change to our educational system, educators need to understand that we cannot teach the way we were taught. The world is very different than when we were in school. Technology is playing a very important role in the world and it should also play an important role in education. For example, the iPad has the potential to make a big difference in the way we teach and the way students learn. This tool has the capability to lead learners to discoveries. It also has the lure to motivate, encourage, and excite learners. At any rate, we need to be careful of the one-size-fits-all mentality. As an educator for nearly 30 years, I have always made an effort to stay abreast of technological changes and incorporate those changes in the way I teach.

Joe and Sean, I agree with you that teaching methods must change to incorporate current technology. Unfortunately, some of the individuals who are educating future educators are hesitant to make changes. I know of some professors who refuse to use any type of instructional technolgoy. Indeed, they are still teaching the way they were taught. Some of these individuals are scare of an educational revolution.

Educational reform has started. Right here, in Diigo groups, by us, the future leaders in education. We have a responsibility to take what we learn in these discussions and share what we learn with others.
Politicians are always seeking for the single best way to measure learning. We all know that there is no single way to measure someone's intelligence. Learning is an activity as diverse as our world; it is not a simple activity. Yet, the TAKS and other standardize assesmments are emphasized in schools (see Jaime's post) and are used as the only way to measure learning. If you look around, there are many teachers and administrators who criticize the use of cell phones and social networking. Yet, our students are fluent in that.

Which brings Lu's article into the picture (interesting comments!). Our students are asking for something more meaningful: "My school doesn't offer any classes that are going to help me with the careers" "I'm interested in less memorization of useless random facts".

Martin, your comment about some of us being afraid of change is very valid. We all are scared to try something new. However, we need to consider that the world and students are changing very rapidly. If we continue teaching the way we did last semester, we will be undercutting education and the way the learner learns. Remember: "The Only Thing That Is Constant Is Change"

I have also used Poll Everywhere very effectively with my students and colleagues. In fact, in our last staff development, the entire school used Poll Everywhere. I was selected as one of the facilitators. I have been using this tool for a couple of years and was rather surprised that many faculty and staff had not heard about. I used in my classroom for sharing grades, surveys, feedback, and so on. Students are really excited because they can "legally" use their cell phone in class. In fact, I require that students bring their cell phones because we may do some Poll Everywhere activity.
The other tool that I have used is Animoto. I think that video really brings the content to life. What I really like about Animoto is that the videos must be short and may contain music.

Daniel,
Any "free" application has limitations. Poll Everywhere is not exception. I use the free version. Like other applications you have to find your way around it. For example, only a limited of students can vote. The way I go around that is that I save every class poll and reset the poll for another class. If students do not have a cell phone, they may vote online. When you create a poll, the application will provide the information students need to vote by phone or by Internent.