Learning Theory and Educational Technology - "Metaphors of Educators"

Siemens (2008) metaphors of educators all provide opportunity for the learner to explore as an individual the learning topic. However, where I notice the difference is the educator as master and educator as network administrator seem to encourage more collaboration among the learners. The educator as master metaphor discusses a studio environment where students can view each other’s work and consult with each other (Siemens, 2008). The educator as a network administrator discusses connecting students to learning networks (Siemens, 2008). As organizations are restructuring their physical work environment to encourage collaboration among employees it would seem this is an important skill that must be developed in our students. P21.org lists collaboration as one of the 4C’s for student emphasis. The educator as concierge and educator as curator do not appear to place emphasis on collaboration. Students in these environments may be more likely to learn what the educator want students to learn in a direct manner. While the educator as master and educator as network administrator students may take a more circuitous route through knowledge.

As I think about each of these educator roles I can see myself functioning in each role. As I know there is no one way that all students learn I also feel there is no one way to present all materials. As an educator I find that I have used each of these roles in my classroom. Currently I teach a program that it is important that students find their own way. Sometimes I ask only questions and have them explore, others I point them in the right direction and still others I provide the resource I want them to use while they are exploring and forming their base knowledge. I don’t learn everything the same way, why would I expect my students to?

Siemens, G. (2008, January). Learning and knowing in networks: Changing roles for educators and designers. Paper presented to ITFORUM. Retrieved from http://it.coe.uga.edu/itform/Paper105/Siemens.pdf.

Red Queens and Increasing Returns

Science fiction is a great resource for emerging technology. Several novels by Philip K. Dick have provided the basis for movies and technology. A couple of weeks ago I chose to watch Total Recall with Arnold Schwarzenegger as the basis for another assignment. How did I watch the movie? Did I go to the video store? Did I download it? Did I purchase the DVD? I have to admit, I went to the video store and I ended up watching Total Recall because the video store did not have any of the other movies on the list. Was Total Recall my first choice? No. But it is a good classic SciFi movie that I enjoyed watching with my husband and son. It was Henry’s first time seeing it and he really liked all the blood and guts (gotta love those 10 year olds J). I did not stream the movie because I actually do not have a membership to Netflix or any other video-on-demand service. I do not have time very often to sit down and watch a movie so I cannot justify the cost.

The competition between DVD’s and video-on-demand is an example of increasing returns. Video-on-demand started somewhat later than DVD’s but has grown quickly as more people have connected in more ways to the Internet via faster connections. Video rental stores, especially independent video rental stores have had to find a niche to continue to attract customers, and large video rental stores are investing in online streaming to continue to boost their sales (Overfelt, 2009). Video companies like Netflix and Blcokbuster provide both DVD’s and streaming to reach a larger market share of movie customers.

McLuhan’s Tetrad for DVD’s and video-on-demand:

Enhances: Family time – provides opportunity for family to watch a movie together without high cost of the movie theatre	Obsoletes: VHS video tapes
Rekindles: Reflects the progression of books throughout history – from a rare commodity to a common item most people own	Reverses: Movies presented in a virtual environment where viewer feels more a part of the movie

Overfelt, M. (2009, March 06). The last movie store left standing. Retrieved from http://money.cnn.com/2009/03/06/smallbusiness/last_movie_rental_stores.smb/index.htm.

Rhymes of History - Autopilot Automobiles

 Safety features of cars have improved over the years, to the point that some of these features are performing various driving functions (Wilson, 2009). Volkswagen launched its new temporary autopilot that will control the car at speeds up to 80mph (Boyle, 2011). The driver can at anytime override the autopilot. It is not recommended the driver participate in other activities while the autopilot is engaged, just in case. A fully automated automobile could provide drivers, especially the physically challenged, with a freedom we have not experienced since the invention of automobiles.  As someone who is in the car for at least 100 miles per day (most days) I cannot wait for this technology to be readily available. For years I have dreamed about what I could do while the car is driving me to my destination.

The autopilot car rekindles the days of the horse as the major form of transportation. A well trained horse could get you and itself home without a lot of direction. Imagine the things you could do sitting on the back of a horse.  

Boyle, R. (2011, June). Volkswagen debuts self-driving ‘temporary auto-pilot’ for new cars. Retrieved from http://www.popsci.com/cars/article/2011-06/volkswagen-debuts-self-driving-temporary-autopilot-new-cars

Wilson, D.H. (2009). Cars are approaching ‘auto’ pilot mode. Retrieved from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/33591971/ns/technology_and_science-innovation/t/cars-are-approaching-auto-pilot-mode/

Emerging Technologies Tetrad

Bluetooth technology transfers data between two devices that are near each other. Bluetooth is used in low bandwidth situations (Bluetooth.com, 2011). Bluetooth is currently the global standard for simple connectivity between wireless devices (Bluetooth.com, 2011). Bluetooth and wireless technology are similar, Bluetooth is used with wireless technology in close proximity situations and wifi is used in larger areas with equipment that is considered “stationery”.

Bluetooth.com. (2011, August 8). Panasonic, samsung, sony  and XPAND choose Bluetooth technology to standardize active 3D glasses. Kirkland, WA. http://www.bluetooth.com/Pages/Press-Releases-Detail.aspx?ItemID=135

Websites to check out for info on Bluetooth:

https://www.bluetooth.org/apps/content/

www.bluetooth.com

Emerging Technology in Educational Technology

Technology is rapidly changing. Products move onto the market very quickly. Educational technology is changing to meet the needs of millennial students. Dr. Thornburg (2009) discusses how new tools really are old tools that have changed over the years to meet new needs. Speech to text software is one of those tools. Initially this software was seen only as a tool for the disabled. Recently speech to text software has seen increased usage in the education environment. Windows 7 includes it as an easy to use accessory; there are also external software packages like Dragon. Speech to text software has been available for quite a while but only recently has developed into a tool that can be easily used.

Speech to text software has become more prevalent in schools. Students who have trouble handwriting their assignments are able to use speech to text software to complete those assignments as easily as other students. As with any tool there are some problems with it. Speech to text software can be difficult to use when in a noisy environment. Have you been in a classroom lately? They are not the quiet tombs they used to be, so the student must go to a quiet environment to “write” the assignment. Even if the classroom happens to be quiet, it is quite obvious what you are “writing” when everyone can hear you. That may even be disturbing to other students. As my son pointed out the other day, he uses technology to be the same as the other students in his class, but when he uses speech to text it points out his difference. Another problem is the learning curve. It does take time and some dedication to train the software to recognize a user’s voice and I have noticed that sometimes the Windows 7 tool just gets bogged down and cannot keep up with the speaker.

How students learn is changing. Speech to text software allows students to participate with classmates on grade level appropriate materials without being confined by their handwriting/typing ability.  Accommodations of this type have not typically been used as a solution for students who qualify as learning disabled.

Dragon can be found at http://nuance.com/for-individuals/by-product/dragon-for-pc/index.htm. Speech to text is an accessory on Windows 7 and can be accessed on Windows XP. To access it on Windows XP try out these instructions,  http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306901.

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

Digital Games Video Link

Here is the link to my video. Check it out and let me know what you think. Thanks

http://teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=242929&title=Digital_Games

This link does work now.

Moving Toward Dynamic Technologies

I believe I am just above the halfway point on the “static-dynamic continuum.” I like to try new things with students and get their reactions and I like to work with teachers to push them out of their comfort zone. To be able to push others I feel I need to push myself also. I am not as far on the continuum as I would like to be but I keep working toward the goal. Moller (2008) talks about how ”a deeper understanding of the content is achieved” (p1) when dynamic technologies are used. One of my goals for students is increasing their understanding of the course content. If using dynamic tools will help them toward that goal then as an educator I need to vett the tool and experiment for its best usage.

Moller, L. (2008). Static and dynamic technologies. Laureate Education, pp. 1-2.