February+14+homework

~Mobile Computing-The Horizon Report One of the interesting key concepts was how mobile devices are becoming more capable but the boundaries of when it is acceptable to use them are getting blurred.

Another interesting key concept was that nearly 4 billion people subscribe to the mobile market and more than two-thirds of them live in countries that are developing.

The article also goes on to talk about how mobile devices can now do anything that a computer can do. A mobile device has the ability to email, collaborate and share files, tools to help you manage your personal life and keep up with social networking, which used to be considered stuff that only a computer could do.

Another interesting key concept was that developing countries not only use mobile devices for communication but they also use them for training materials. They are using mobile devices because they are more affordable and more accessible than using laptops.

The article also talked about if people were not fully ready for mobile devices just yet but wanted something smaller than a laptop, that they could get a netbook or smartbooks, which offer the advantages of storage and portability over laptops.

Another interesting concept was that mobile devices with their ability to go on the internet make them a great place to store materials for reference if you are a student or a person on the job.

Universities and colleges are now piloting programs that are putting mobile devices into the classroom. Some schools are finding that students spend more time working on their course materials and collaborating more with students if the material they need is on their mobile device.

How long will it be before everyone in the world has a mobile device?

Will we even have desktop computers 10 years from now?

Will computers and mobile devices take over so that students do not have to go to class for lectures but instead just listen to them on their computers and mobile devices?

How long is it before mobile devices wipe out the need for computers?

~Executive Summary from //Transforming American Education Learning Powered by Technology//

One of the key concepts that it talked about in this article was how education is the key to American's ability to keep up with the global market and how it effects economic growth. It also went on to say that as educators we need to embrace innovation, regular evaluation and continuous improvement. The article also said that we need to make sure that our policies, regulations and investments are strategic.

Another key concept it talked about was The National Educational Technology Plan 2010 (NETP) and how the plan sees that technology is now in every aspect of our lives and how we should incorporate it into the classroom for a more engaging and powerful learning experience and also use technology to better assess how students are doing.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The article also talked about how educators should look to the fields of business and entertainment to see how they use technology to increase productivity and improve outcomes.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Another key concept was how NETP is a model of learning through technology and has goals and recommendations in the five essential areas of learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure and productivity.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Another key concept was how the education system's real challenge is to use modern science and technology to make a personalized and engaging learning experience that is relevant to the students' lives and the reality of their futures.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The article also talked about when technology- based assessments are used with learning systems they can diagnose and modify learning conditions and instructional practices. It also talked about how combining those two together can also determine what students have learned for the purposes of grading and accountability.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Another interesting concept that the article talked about was how existing educators do not have the same understanding and ease with using technology that most students and other professionals in different fields have. This gap is a real problem because it prevents technology from being used in the classroom, where it would help improve instructional practices and learning outcomes.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The article also talks about comprehensive infrastructure for learning which basically provides educators, students, and administrators with the resources that they need wherever they are and at any time; it is always available. It also talks about infrastructure for learning is the ability to access data from different places while providing security and privacy.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">If we put technology into the classroom what will we still need to do to make it so our students can compete better on a global scale?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">How are we going to make sure that all of our teachers all have a great knowledge on technology?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">How do schools get started in using the comprehensive infrastructure of learning method?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">What is the best way to make learning experiences more relevant to students' lives but still making sure that they still meet and exceed standards?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">~Learning Engage and Empower <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">from //Transforming American Education Learning Powered by Technology//

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">One of the article's key concepts is funding for technology varies greatly from states, districts, and schools depending on if the educators see it has being something that can be used in a meaningful way and how it ranks on the priority list.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Another interesting key concept was that the Kaiser Family Foundation did a national survey and found out that 8 to 18-year-olds devote an average of seven hours and 38 minutes a day to using entertainment media. They also went on to say that is more than 53 hours a week. The article went on to say that if the educators could work with this interest it would be huge for learning.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">In the article it also goes on to talk about how we need to be preparing students for learning throughout their lives. This may mean changing what we teach, what they need to know, and changing our idea of who needs to be taught. This means bringing in technology that will help engage and motivate students of all ages.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">In this article they also give you a model to look at about what learning should look like. The model shows the student in the center and taking control of their own learning. This model also shows technology as a tool for understanding and helping to remember material and providing an engaging learning environment.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The article also went on to talk about how technology like student-managed electronic portfolios can help students become more involved in setting learning goals and how it can help students start taking on more responsibility for their learning. It also talked about how students can use the portfolios to say how they thought they did on their projects and what they feel their strengths and weaknesses are.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The article then talks about how people learn. They mention three ways that people learn; factual knowledge, procedural knowledge and <span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">motivational engagement. They talked about how technology can help factual knowledge by being able to represent information through different types of media like simulation, modeling tools, and interactive concept maps that can help you make visual connections. They also talked about procedural knowledge and said that technology was good for providing scaffolds, providing communication beyond written or spoken language, and connecting learners to online communities as a system for support. They also talked about how technology was good for motivational engagement because it engaged the students and helped to develop a positive image for learners.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">It also talks about how technology gives students direct access to materials that is available 24/7. The article also talked about how technology was a bridge from learning in school to learning outside of school.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The article also went on to describe how UDL's goal is to reach students that are at all levels. It also talked about when teachers use technology to reach all students that they should pay special attention to students with low income families and minority learners, English language learners, and students with disabilities.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">When will technology be a big enough <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">priority that the whole nation is on the same page so that there is not as big as a different between states and districts like it is now?

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">What grade level is the right grade level to start using technology in the classroom?

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Even if students spend a lot of time of the internet for fun how can teachers make internet activities fun?

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">What responsibilities do the teachers have with using technology in the classroom?

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">~Executive Summary- Horizon Report pages 3-8

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">In this article one of the key concepts was that the New Media Consortium's Horizon Project was established in 2002 as a qualitative research project to identify and describe developing technologies that were thought to have a big impact on teaching and learning within the next five years.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Another key concept was that in the seven years since the Horizon Project started more than 400 frontrunners in the fields of business, industry, technology and education have been a part of this research project.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This article also talked about how people want to be able to learn and study whenever they have time. As the world begins to turn faster and things get busier, people start to think that the fast approach is the better approach when it comes to being able to get their materials for studying.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This article also talks about how the way of teaching students for their future is changing. The American Association of College and Universities recommend that students start using technologies that will help them in “research, experimentation, problem-based learning and creative forms of work.” It also talked about how schools should start to emphasize mental flexibility and critical inquiry.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Another important concept was how schools are being constantly challenged with the growing numbers of students and the shirking number of resources.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">The article also talked about how it was important for media professionals to continue researching developing technologies to help teachers achieve key instructional goals.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">This article also talked about open content, which is a movement that started a decade ago but is expect to get big in the next 12 months. Open content is where schools began to make their content for courses freely available. This movement is in response to the high and rising costs of education and is also a way of students showing how and when they want to learn.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Another important thing in this article was about how electronic books are becoming more acceptable to use. Electronic books have been around for close to four decades, but in the past 12 months have really been seen as more acceptable methods of books. They are predicted to get really big in the future because they are supposed to go down in prices, keeping students from carrying heavy backpacks and would not use any paper.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'times new roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Will students in ten years not carry around any textbooks because of electronic books?

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">How are schools going to get more resources for the students who go there?

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">Will enrollment drop in colleges and universities because of open content?

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 16px;">When students get really busy how are teachers going to help the students understand that their education is important and to not blow it off?