My Reflection

As I look back, I hve a smile on my face. I has been a wonderful journey. I must say though that at times there were frustration. I said works like, " I can't do this," but it all paid off in the end.

To be honest, I feel very powerful, it that i am more knowledgeable about technology and how I can use web 2.0 tools in my classroom and personally.

I have truly grown. The intimidation that existed before starting this course is gone, in regards to technology. As I continue on my journey, I must admit that this is just the starting point for me. This course has open up the beginning of something that I intend to continue to explore.

As a prospective administrator, I will be an advocate for technology in and school that I am working in. With all the knowledge that I have gained, and will be gaining. I intend to use, and use productively.

I must also say a big thank you to my instructor. First of all for yoyr teaching style, and the methods that you used in the deivery of this course. In Jamaicac we would say BIG UP sir!!

The Future of Mobile Computing and Education

According to Wikipedia, mobile computing is a form of human- computer interaction where a computer is expected to be transported during normal usage.  Mobile computing has three aspects: mobile communication, mobile hardware, and mobile software.   Mobile computing is 'taking a computer and all necessary files and softwares out in to the field. It is being able to use a computing device even when being mobile and therefore changing location.  Portability is one aspect of mobile computing.

One of my favorite quotes as I mention in one of my previous blogs, "Learning is not static it is dynamic." School Districts will have to get on board with technology, more so mobile technology. Not all will be where they want to be at the same time, but they will be revampting their technology plans to include more than they presently have.

The Gartner, Inc. identified 10 top technologies that will be strategic for most organizations in 2011.

• Cloud Computing
• Mobile Applications and Media Tablets
•  Socal Communications and Collaboration
• Video
• Next Generation Analytics
• Social Analytics
• Context-Aware Computing
• Storage Class Memory
• Ubiquitous Computing
• Fabric-Based Infrastructure ans Computers

With these projections by Gartner a leading company in IT research and emerging trends, school will want to educate students to be equipped for the world of work. After all what would our role be if we are not equipping students with the necessary skills to function in society.  However, some students are presently using these outside of the classroom.  The graph below shows how mobile devices are used for learning.  School Districts will have no doubt but to venture into this lanscape of the rapid changes in technology.

As technology continues to infiltrate every corner of the K-12 educational space, administrators, teachers, and students are undoubtly curious about what's coming around the bend in 2011.   Will more school embrace students-centric mobile devices? Will the cloud continue to reign?  To get the answers to these questions the Journal spoke with a handful of technology experts and came up with a short list of top tech trends you will want to watch in the new year. According to The Journal - IT Trends Feature:

1. There will be more momentum for mobile devices in classrooms with an eye toward affordable alternatives to traditional 1:1 rollouts.
2. Web-based instruction will gain more traction at the K-12 level
3. More tech-based monitoring and assessment tols will be incorporated into the instructional mix
4. The cloud will help ease the finicial burden on schools while helping to expand technological capabilities
5. Teachers will have access to expand professional development programs

 According to Roland Rios, director of instructional technology at Fort Sam Houston Independent School District in San Antonio, TX. "Schools are smartening up and letting students use their tools in innovative ways," said Rios, who added that he expects such initiatives to be centrd on concepts like,"ubiquitous learning" and 24/7 access to technology. He went on futher to say that " the schools that "get it" will be the ones that stay ahead of the tech curve. "As educators, we really need to stay on top of this stuff, instead of just catching up."

Another educations commented about the clickers and she said " take the classroom clickers for example, which teachers use to engage studnets, even in the most srowded of classrooms. Combine the assessment tools with the clickers,  and teachers can quickly ascertain whether a lessonhas "sunk in "  or determine whether futher instruction is needed." This technology device gives teachers ral-time data instantly, instead of having to wait for the graded papers and tests to come back.

Advantages of mobile computing in the classroom

1. Improves the delivery of instruction
2. Caters to diversity of learners
3. Students can be actively engaged even from thier seats(Clickers)
4. Conserves on time
5. Readily available information for tecaher and students
6. Global learning

Disadvantages of mobile computing in the classroom

1. Cost effective
2. Unavailablity of Web 2.0  tools
3. Distracting to students

I will conclude my blog with this YouTube video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fnh9q_cQcUE







Technology: To Use Or Not To Use?

In response to the question. I do not think teachers have the luxury anymore to choose. The vision for most schools nowadays is technology integration. Catering to the diverse learning styles of our students is the key. As a teacher the students we teach daily are accustomed to using technology daily at home. They spend several hours at home on their PSP, Nintendo DS, iPods, cells phones, My Space etc. etc. Administrators want to know that teachers are using technology in the classroom. Some schools will have more devices that others. But I guess what ever you have available you are expected to use, and I must say use creatively.

In reaction to Dr. McLeod's question , I would say that us teachers do not have a choice. Do we? Any good teacher would want to go with what is best for the children they teach. I would think that incorporating digital technologies in to my daily instruction would be the appropriate thing to do. Any particular classroom is comprised of students with diverse needs and a variety of learning styles. These styles need to be catered for in order for learning to take place, and if using technology is the answer to this , then I am going to use it. If I do not know much, then I am going to get myself equipped.  The students we teach daily are completely "wired" (as one person said), outside of school. So if keeping them "wired" in the classroom is what it takes to keep them engaged, and learning. Then, that what I am going to do.

Development does not have school attached to it( my opinion). If there is a teacher that is willing to step out of the box, and get things done. Then s/he should do it. As you know it will not be easy on the part of the teacher, but if that particular teacher can justify why such as technology is needed, and how it can facilitate learning, administrators will support.  It all goes down to proposal writing. Use empirical evidence to show why this development is for the benefit of students, and thus school.

One of my favorite statement is that "Learning is not static, its dynamic." I am sure all teachers share this view. So we as teachers need to continually upgrade ourselves. My opening video sums up how some of us feel at the start of venturing into something new, and how we feel are actually doing it. Sometimes it turns out better than we think.