The Future of Educational Technology

A middle school in Boston is already using educational technology to boost student attendance, motivation, interest, and academic performance. This article details how technology will become an essential component of the public and private educational system by 2020. According to the article, the number of teachers expected to be employed as classroom teachers will fall but the number of high school students enrolled in online classes will rise.


http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/technology/tech-usa-education-technology.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

Google vs. Brain Use

I recently read an article about how much of our brain is no longer used as a result of Internet use. Since we know "if we don't use it, we lose it", we must find the balance between technology and cognitive processing. We do not want to become so dependent on technology that we are no longer able to process information or problem-solve without technology. This article addresses the problem but does not really offer solutions. I guess that is up to us to figure out...

http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200807/google

Technology Challenges

I have been visiting friends and family this week and am amazed at how we learn to live with the problems and challenges of technology. i have spent endless hours clearing malware from the computers of my friends and family. Living with a slow computer has become acceptable by many people. I take it for granted that everyone is knowledgeable about computers and networks since they have been a part of mainstream society for about two decades.

This raises a few questions. How do we know when we are getting the maximum benefit out of technology? Also, how can we share technological skills, knowledge, and expertise on a wider scale? Can technology be a limiting factor when applied to education?

I will seek out the answers to these questions during this year.

Lessons Learned

I feel as though I am writing for the last time but I realize that I have only just begun. I have learned so much about existing and emerging technologies. I have come to understand the collaborative benefits of blogs, wikis, and Skype. I have made friends with classmates that I have never met. We have laughed, shared, and experienced a bit of each other's life over the last twelve weeks. I plan to remain in touch with my classmates as a result of my new-found technologies. The sense of community is mind-boggling, yet real enough to feel.

I have learned that blogs are for more than keeping up with your favorite celebrity or hobby club. I have learned to trust wikis as a reliable source built on intelligence and integrity. I have learned that there are technological advances are being made in education but are not reaching the classrooms of our country in large enough numbers. I have learned that many people are afraid of the change that technology can bring to the classroom and may refuse to give it a try out of fear. I have learned that there are ways to incorporate iPods and cellphones into the classroom experience that embrace technology rather than resist its presence. Most of all, I have learned that I must stay abreast of new and emerging technologies, read the research reports, and familiarize myself with these technologies so that I can emerge as an expert in the field of Educational Technology.

No, this is not my last blog. Now I will post because I want to add meaningful reflections and input for the purpose of Collective Intelligence...

The Power of Collective Intelligence

This film displays the need for and power of collective intelligence in a society, whether human or non-human. The dynamic evolution of a society results when the efforts of individuals are combined to create 'systems in action'. These systems may reflect a collaboration of efforts that lead toward 'collective good' or 'collective evil'. As collective intelligence, web 2.0, and social wisdom become more mainstream, we must seek to maintain love for one another and keep it an utmost priorirty so that we strive to work towards 'collective good' in the future course of humanity.



Reference
http://www.revver.com/video/337252/soh23-the-power-of-collective-intelligence-and-awareness/

Is Socialized Education a Conceivable Reality?

As educators, we are often faced with the charge to believe that 'all children can learn'. The NCLB Act attempts to make that charge a measurable reality through the enforcement of strict measures and guidelines to ensure that equitable learning and education occurs for all students.

Realistically, can governments and economic systems sustain a society of equally educated and skilled people? Will the role of a computer programmer be considered equally important as that of a surgeon since the programmer will design the program that will enable the surgeon to perform nano-surgery on a patient? Will the role of a teacher be held in high regard ( in this country) since it is the hub of learning for both the surgeon and computer programmer? Who will be left in society to perform the less desirable jobs such as trash collection, fast food workers, and laborers if everyone has equal access to education?

France has a system of socialized education and recently experienced a major revolt by college students who were graduating only to be faced with a severe job shortage and high unemployment rate (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/12/world/europe/12france.html). As this article states, as college enrollment increased, the value of a Bachelor's degree decreased. Are we truly ready to de-value some jobs and educational achievements by making education accessible to all?

Technology has definitely expanded the ability to reach more students nationally and internationally through distance learning, LMS/LCMS, learning objects, and digital repositories. What can we do to make education accessible and equitable to all without creating a societal and economic revolt caused by the reality of the problems (like those) encountered by France?

Personal Reflection on LMS

As a first-time online student who is seeking the attainment of a degree through matriculation thru virtual classrooms, I admit that I was initially unfamiliar with the process. Being an 'old school' student who accomplished completion of past degrees in a traditional classroom, I did not believe that the quality of learning would be as good due to limited social interaction. I am happy to say that I was wrong!

Learning Management Systems(LMS) actually work! The LMS design that Walden utilizes along with the delivery of instruction by qualified instructors has made the coursework fun, engaging, and most of all, informative. The level of student performance is graded critically but fairly and keeps scholarly writing a standard for maintaining student excellence.

I have also learned a great deal about using such social collaboration tools as blogs, wikis, Skype, and LMS tools such as webliographies. I have developed a sense the personal skills necessary for success as an online student. The top three seem to be: self-discipline, time management, and the willingness to share ideas with fellow classmates.