Journal #8-Looking Forward: The Role of Technology in Tomorrow's Schools (NETS-T III)

Niederhauser, Dale. (2010). Looking forward the role of technology in tomorrow. Learning and Leading, 35, 28-29.
http://www.iste.org/learn/publications/learning-and-leading/digital-edition-december-january-2010.aspx

So, apparently, there is an actual method in which people decide what are the most promising and interesting forms of technology to use in the classroom. This method is called the Delphi method. This method is a series of questionnaires based on the results of the previous questionnaires, and it only stops upon definite concensus. This methos has been known to "predict the future". The "Horizon Report" uses a modified Delphi method which helps them to report on the most promising gadgets to use in higher education.

While many gadgets we use today have more than likely been on the "Horizon Report", the ones that are there at this point in time sounds quite impressive. It is obvious when I say that access to a computer is vital to education, working, and even home environments (pay bills, get directions, input a budget on an Excel sheet, etc.), but think about a time when the computer was just on the "Horizon Report". Can't think of it? Me either. Now, companies are taking the computer a step further. As opposed to humans responding to the computer, prompts, to click here, to click there, certain companies are building upon the idea that computers should respond to humans. Computer/human interaction is on the horizon. The idea that human facial features, change in voice, posture, and even gestures could generate a response from the computer, is not necessarily a new thought, just a new thought for the computer. Think about it, we have this technology for video games, the Wii, Playstation Move, interacting with technology, not just using it. Also, there are already computers out there that will turn on only by voice activation. If your voice does not belong to that computer, it will not turn on, a great security measure in my opinion. This makes me think about times when I've been studying, and I KNOW my face has shown that I do NOT comprehend what I am reading on the screen. To think that a computer may react to that, is mind blowing.

Even geared more toward education, Microsoft is developing something called Surface. Surface, I envision, is something like you see in movies, with super heroes who design their cars/suits/homes using something like this. Surface is a touchscreen tabletop device used to share ideas on the same workspace. Now, instead of teachers calling someone to the blackboard or whiteboard, this may be viewed as a more interesting and fun way to interact in the classroom. Kids may actually want to step up to the Surface!

It sounds as if the world is getting ready to integrate computers from being a technological assisting device, to something that is more natural and fluid, just another part of our culture.



Questions:

1. Other than the computer, what are a few tehcnological items you think are beneficial in the classroom?
I would LOVE to get my hands on an iPad. Going into Speech Therapy, I am determined to get access to and use several iPads in my classroom.

2. What is another every day item that has been turned into a source of technology?
First it was paper and a pen into a computer, then it was music into an MP3 player (iPod), then it was books. My favorite are the books though. I have a Nook and am in love.