Module 2: Enhancing Communication Through Video Conferencing

The ability to communicate has changed so much in history that distances between people have become nonexistent.  Because of technology, people around the world can communicate at any time regardless of how far apart they are.  Most recently, video conferencing has added to the applications that can be used to communicate.  This includes technology specifically set up for video conferencing in board rooms all the way to smart phones that now have the ability to run video applications.  In fact, video conferencing has made telephone calls and cell phone call obsolete.  Communicating via phone allows for auditory communication only.  Therefore, video conferencing technology enhances the ability to communicate, but it also makes phone technology obsolete.

The idea for video conferencing recalls the idea of the traditional faculty meeting or staff meeting.  In traditional meetings participants were able to interact face-to-face and present materials that could be seen by all of those in attendance.  Video conferencing incorporates all of those qualities while using technology to diminish any distance barriers may present.  Even more than video conferencing, the future of conferencing may reside in Telepresence conferencing.  A Japanese firm is developing the technology to make conferencing life-like as participants will feel as if they are all in the same meeting in the same location.  Obviously this technology is in its infancy, but it has the potential to improve the quality of video conferencing. (http://www.conferencetech.com/news/what-will-future-videoconferencing-look)

Module 1: Tablet Use in Education, Emerging Technology

The proliferation of tablets on the market suggests that their popularity and need have skyrocketed.  It is worth mentioning also, that the development of touch screen technology has also facilitated, if not started, the growth of the tablet.  Thornburg (2009) mentions touch screen technology as a technology that has emerged in the last few years and has drastically changed the way people interact with technology.  From its early beginnings in the 1980’s, touch screens have developed into a wide range of ways that people can interact with technology.  This brings me back to the wide spread use of tablets.

It would be an understatement to say that technology has advanced at warp speed, and the need to access information through technological applications has necessitated a shift from cumbersome desktop computers, to mobile laptops, to completely portable and lightweight tablets.  I would exhaust all of the bandwidth of this blog detailing the history of the tablet, but in short it has developed as way to accommodate the need for constant access to information, applications, and other people.  The obvious benefit of tablet computers is the ease of use and the ease of travel.  Tablets contain the power and applications that desktop computers contain, yet portable.  In the classroom, tablets have the ability to, and will one day potentially, replace all printed textbooks.  Instead of accessing static print material students would have access to dynamic information in large amounts.  This creates a classroom with active learning where students become more self-directed and involved in the learning process.

There are however, challenges presented with the tablet use.  For me personally, the cost of tablets is the main inhibitor to being able to use them in the classroom.  As a first grade teacher, the dynamic effect that tablets could have on my classroom is immeasurable, but the cost of purchasing them is a deterrent.    Also, from a network standpoint, the bandwidth available could cause trouble browsing the Internet and other network accessed applications.  Because wireless access to the Internet is the main mode of browsing, as more students access the network it depletes the available network space.  Finally, the prospect of damage to devices is a major concern when it comes to student use.  While the desktop is cumbersome, its size provides a measure of security from damage.  However, the fragility of the portable tablets raises the questions as to whether replacement costs will also be a deterrent to having students use and travel with tablets.

Cisco does a great job of outlining potential problems associated with tablet use, and they can be accessed using the following website. http://www.cisco.com/en/US/solutions/collateral/ns170/ns896/cisco_edu_tabletsin_whitepaper.pdf

More information can be found about tablet use in the classroom using the following links:
http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le21/le39/docs/tdw_184.pdf
http://www.districtadministration.com/article/racing-ipad-k12-education

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

Welcome to Emerging Technology in Education

I would like to take this time to welcome you to my blog.  I am honored that you would explore my blog, and I am equally excited to participate in the discussions concerning emergent technologies.  I am a first grade teacher, so I am especially interested in any emergent technologies that can have an impact on my instruction.

Again, welcome all.