Assignment 1 : 5 Technologies

I begin this episode with an anecdote:

    Korea has been known, for a decade or more now, as a powerhouse in the realms of both technology and education. Even if one doesn’t recognize it as such initially, when one looks closer at the statistics when entering these two global arenas, it can’t help but be noticed that there is a white flag whose country of origin we cannot with any sense of confidence venture a guess, yet we know it’s undoubtedly Asian, parked comfortably in first or second place while America struggles to stay in the top 20.

    However, such accolades might lead one to false inference. While taking selfies and updating your Facebook have become immensely easier, Korea struggles with incorporating new technologies into their classrooms as much as any other country in the world. In fact, in some aspects, Korea has taken the role of Icarus flying too close to the sun, and technological ambition has become a distraction rather than a tool for education. As a former teacher in a smart classroom, I have compiled a list of 6 technologies that I would like to try to use this semester:

1.     Social Media. This technology has so many practical applications. It is perhaps the most widely know, albeit abused, aspect of technology on my list. Facebook, for example, used to be unbelievably useful. Exclusive to the college community, Facebook used to tell me when discussion groups were happening in Fredonia, or what was due for homework in a specific class, or the name of that girl I hooked up with last week at BJ’s….and how long she has been dating her boyfriend for. Now, it is home to apathetic, computer-chair activists dumping buckets of water on their heads and Candy Crush invites. This is a broad category to define, but certainly worthy of investigation.

2.     Youtube. This site has vast potential, from the creation of online learning classes, or the application of audio/video-based media incorporated into lessons….seems a simple solution to visual based learning as well as a strong generator of interest.

3.     Tablet PCs. There is an app for everything, and more are created on a daily basis. Potentially the fastest growing market in the world. The use of this device in the classroom makes the term “casting a wide net” quite the understatement.

4.     Presentation Software. Lots of progress has been made in the realm of presentation software to make presentations more interesting. This could be used for both learning AND teaching.

5. Kickstarter. This is not designed to be an educational technology, but I have seen it do a great many things for people, and as technology evolves, so will our definition of what education looks like. I think that this could be used to potentially bring to fruition some ideas that university, high school, or even elementary school students have that could not otherwise be achieved due to lack of capital.