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.

Technology in Everyday Life(?)

Though technology has the ability to make our lives easier, it also has the ability to bring us to our knees. A visit to the dentist today was both impressive and frustrating. No longer do dentists need to take film based x-rays of teeth. I was initially impressed as I stepped to a machine and bit down on a bite strip. A moving part of the machine encircled my head and a few second later, I thought" Wow- technology has really made a difference in this field. No longer are x-rays a tedious process for the patient or the dental technician." My joy was short-lived as I heard the dentist tell the technician that the image did not take. I returned to the machine with two technicians who stared blankly at the touchpad as if it was written in an unfamiliar language. Again I bit down on the strip. This time, three plastic fingers held my head in place as the moving part circled my head. The dentist was looking at the monitor trying to figure out what to do. I realized that no one in the office knew how to use the equipment. " New technology?", I asked expecting the answer I received. "Yes" said the dentist. We'll have to re-schedule your visit", he said. I realized that his profession had been brought to its knees by untrained staff and new technology.

What if this happened at the ATM machine or the grocery store or the gas station! What if my online paymeny didn't go through! What if the Internet shut down for a day! What if I could not make phone call ( wireless or LAN) because of a computer glitch! The fears that I had finally allayed about technology re-appeared as I began to once again fear the takeover of the world by machines!

Emerging Technologies in the News

This article recently appeared in the Arizona Republic newspaper. It highlighted how technology is helping students learn while using technology. It is good to read a story that provides evidence that technology can be used as a vehicle for learning for motivated students.

http://www.azcentral.com/business/abg/articles/2008/04/10/20080410abg-techgames0410.html

Educational PowerPoint Games--EDUC 8823 Project

Educational Technology offers many opportunities for the constructivist learner. Creating educational PowerPoint games that incorporate Flash animation and voice recognition are examples of two applications of emerging technologies. The videos above provide instruction on setting up voice recognition on your computer and embedding Flash animation in educational PowerPoint games. Watch the videos then give it a try!