Technology in Education Keeps Moving Forward

What does the future hold for Education IT? What doesn't it hold?!?! We are already using technology in almost all aspects of education. Teachers use online forums to connect their students outside of the classroom. We use laptops/tablets and overhead projectors in the classroom. We certainly have come a very long way from chalkboard and pen & paper.

How many of you have heard of “Gamification”? I will tell you that until I started working on this topic I didn't  The official definition is: integrating game dynamics into your site, service, community, content or campaign, in order to drive participation. This makes sooo much sense! Everyone at one point in their lives has played some type of video game. They are addicting. What makes them so addicting is that rush you get when slay your opponent or make it to the next level. That feeling of accomplishment is fantastic. Children these days live for that rush. School and learning doesn't quite give that feeling. (Everyone can relate.) But what if it did? There are tons and tons of educational games and systems out there now that allow kids to learn in a fun way and give then that sense of achievement by reaching learning goals through games. That is gamification.

Gamification is where we are now. What is in store for education? In the next 10-15 years, possibly even sooner, we will be able to experience things like eyewear/HUDs, holography, digitally intermediated field trips, retinal screens, etc. This is the kind of stuff you see in the movies. No way would we ever have thought it could truly be possible. At least not in our lifetime. Currently Google is working on beta testing their own version of eyewear/HUDs called Google Glass. These glasses allow the wearer to view, what looks like a smartphone screen, and interact with apps and menus through the lens of their glasses. Just by making some simple head movements you can scroll and change screens without using your hands. It even takes pictures and video. In my own opinion they do look a bit goofy but the idea is still really, really cool!

Just take the time to think about what will be available to you and your children. The prospects are limitless.

I wanted to take a minute to shout out to the “Cloud Computing” group. I recently read an article discuss the future of education and how it doesn't matter what the next new and innovative device will be, it is all about the cloud and access anywhere. I think that is so true, as devices change we will still need to be able to get our info where and when we want it. As the article stated, four years ago the iPad didn't even exist and who knows what we will have in the next four years. We will always need our information. 

The Best Gadget for your Education?

With the growing use of IT in Education the question faced by many students and business users alike is, which tablet is right for me? The decision to buy an Ipad, an Android or the Microsoft tablet can be a tough and sometimes scary decision for many users.  Questions arise and the answers are not always clear. What’s the difference? Which is better? Does it syn with my TV or phone?  In this blog we will try to answer a few of those questions and hopefully help you decide on the right tablet for educational use.

The most famous of all the tablets is probably the Ipad from apple.  The Ipad is available to users in the 16GB, 32GB and the 64GB versions.  Each model increases one hundred dollars in price each time the capacity is doubled.  This is an important factor when deciding what version of the Ipad to buy.  The memory on the Ipad can’t be upgraded so a user is stuck with whatever size purchased.  To put that in perspective, a high definition movie will take up about 4-5GB of space on the device. Users then have to consider Wi-Fi only models versus more expensive models that allow embedded internet service through a provider like Verizon or Sprint.  For productivity, the Ipad and its App Store has several apps like Pages, Numbers, Keynote, OneNote, GoodReader and Evernote to name a few that allows users to take notes, create power point presentations and do some basic excel functions. Among the tablets, the Ipad does have one significant advantage, accessories.  Keyboards, cases, stylus, a mouse pad designed for the Ipad, as well as the famous Apple TV which allows Ipad users to project what’s being displayed on the Ipad’s screen to any TV sometimes makes the Ipad an easy choice for users. This allows easy presentations for projects, movies, pictures and other content on the Ipad.  For those users trying to save money Android tablets do provide a good alternative to the more expensive Ipad.

Android tablets give consumers the ability to choose among several brands. Samsung, Lenovo, Asus, Toshiba and even Google all have tablets that run on the Android OS and each offer users a different experience. Samsung tablets running Android with lower memory can be easily expanded up to 64GB with a micro SD card that is used in most cameras and smartphones.  Users have the ability to seamlessly transfer pictures and videos between devices without worry about going through software such as iTunes which the Ipad requires.  Asus and Toshiba also have models that allow users to connect a USB flash drive to their tablet to save and transfer data.  Unlike the Ipad that requires users to purchase extra accessories to project the content on its screen to a TV, Android users can download free apps which allow them to wirelessly stream to a smart TV or device.  Polaris Office, which is a tablet version of Microsoft Office, comes free on Android tablets and gives users access Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Though this is not the full version of the software, it’s excellent for note taking and doing some basic office work.

The Surface from Microsoft is an excellent alternative to the Ipad or Android tablet.  This tablet runs the new Windows 8 operating system.  And users who think that this is just a “small computer” you would be half right.  The Surface has a front and back camera for pictures and videos like the Ipad and Android tablets and unlike the other tablets it can run full versions of any computer software on the PRO version of the Surface. The Suface also has the RT model which come free with the complete Microsoft Office software. The surface however is more like a tablet and only allows users to download apps like other tablets. It also has a Store that gives users access to many of the Apps available to the other devices.  For Students and especially business users who plan to do some serious word editing or who desire powerful decision support tools like Excel the surface is the best option since is can run the full version of the software. And finally in terms of speed, the Surface come with the powerful Intel i5 quad core processor which makes running powerful programs an easy task.

With all the options available we would love to hear which, if any, of these devices you personally use and how.  And for those who don’t already own one of these new technologies, how can you see them fitting your educational needs? 

Resources

http://www.apple.com/ipad/

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msusa/en_US/pdp/Surface-RT/productID.275275300

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemplatemapper.jsp?id=pcat17080&type=page&qp=q70726f63657373696e6774696d653a3e313930302d30312d3031~~cabcat0500000%23%230%23%2374f~~cpcmcat209000050006%23%230%23%23tg~~nf865%7C%7C416e64726f6964&list=y&nrp=15&sc=abComputerSP&sp=-bestsellingsort+skuid&usc=abcat0500000

Education IT In Chicago

Let’s recap on what we previously discussed.  Technology is no longer just an adult’s device.  This type of technology, as well as many others, are now being used as educational devices due to the way they engage students, how they reduce long term costs, increase the educational resources available to students, and make learning fast and easy.  Who doesn’t like the sound of that?

As proof of the benefits of education IT, a small charter school located in Chicago, North Kenwood Oakland School, started using technology in the classroom.  “Reading Eggs” is the program being used by five and six year olds to enhance their learning experience.  The director of North Kenwood Oakland School strongly believes that this method has really improved learning and made the kids want to learn.  While it works to help the students learn faster it also allows the teachers more time to teach, reducing the amount of time they would have been spent grading, lecturing verbally or preparing for the following days activities.  This program has allowed the school to analyze each students work for the day and keep a record of their progress.

As children get older, gain independence and discover their interests, learning will continue past schooling and onto wherever they may choose to travel or acquire a job.  The director of North Kenwood Oakland School also stated that another benefit to their program was that children could explore and learn outside of the classroom as well due to the resources that are right at their fingertips.  What do you think the difference would have been if you had access to Education IT when you were in grade school?  As a college student, learning outside of a classroom setting is now possible by programs such as Moodle and Blackboard.  These programs have been very beneficial and most students can agree that they are helpful, informative and reliable. College students, how would you deal with not having assignments, syllabi, notes, tests and quizzes available online?

How would you describe the way you learn best?  Do you think that the way you learn is identical to the way that other people learn?  I hope not!  The way in which these programs analyze and document the progress of each and every student is extremely beneficial.  They are able to mold their instruction to each student to get the best results, while also providing the teacher with information about where they can assist each individual.

While including technology in the classroom is a great addition to learning in the 21^st century, a few other ways were listed in our reading that include wikis, podcasts and training videos.  These are all great ways to enhance our learning and exercise our brains in a more fun and engaging manner.

Whether people like the idea of technology in the classroom or not, it’s not going anywhere.  The best way to adapt to Education IT is to find ways in which it can be most useful and helpful to you.  Many benefits have been found from the infusion of technology into education, now it’s time to find more.

Resource:

http://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21580136-new-technology-poised-disrupt-americas-schools-and-then-worlds-catching-last

Education IT

Education Information Technology (Education IT)

What do you think of when you think of technology? Computers? Tablets? Yes, this is what most people think about when they think of the term technology. Well, now instead of only finding computers and other devices in our homes, we are starting to see technological changes in schools as well. These devices are being used to help further and strengthen the education of children and students.

Technology in education and classrooms today consists of a term known as BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). BYOD has a lot to offer when considering its usage in the classroom. Four ways that BYOD can have a substantial impact on students in the classroom are:

1.     More student involvement

Allowing students to bring their own device to the classroom opens a whole new set of doors. Students will be more willing to get involved and more collaborative when participating in schoolwork. Technology today is such a big part of the younger generation, so bringing their devices to the classroom will engage them more than only a paper and pencil.

2.     Cost friendly

The upfront cost of computers and tablets may seem much greater than a textbook in the beginning, but in the long run, textbooks will eventually have to be replaced which leads to textbooks resulting in the higher cost. Furthermore, tablets last a lot longer than textbooks.

3.     Educational Applications

Today there are thousands of applications for the Ipad, Iphone and other tablets including many that are all geared towards school use. It is great for visual and hands on learners who need more than just a lecture from a teacher to fully understand the material.

4.     Fast and Easy

Ipads and Tablets are fast to turn on and just as fast to open an application. They are easy to use and with the number of students who own a mobile device, it is likely they already know how to control the applications available.

With the use of Education information technology growing more and more in today’s school systems, students are becoming more active in the classroom and more engaged in learning. Education IT is very beneficial because of the top four reasons which all show that it is a good implementation for schools.

Now that you have learned a little bit about what Education IT is, you can continue to read this blog to better understand how it is being incorporated into the education of the future generation. What are your thoughts on Education IT? Have you ever used it? Share your thoughts and stories, we would love to hear about them!!