Infocomm 2010 and ISTE 2010
While Infocomm may be geared more toward business and ISTE towards education both conferences introduce the latest and, sometimes, greatest new technologies to the world. Both conferences also have hundreds of seminars. I wish more school districts could afford to send their employees to these conferences. For most the cost of travel and the conferences fees ($250 +) make them inaccessible to most.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
New Projectors
ViewSonic Debuts Whiteboard Free Interactive Projector
This is an interesting concept, a projector that can work “similarly” to an interactive whiteboard. According to the article, up to 4 people can use the interactive feature simultaneously. I did find one price online for $899. If they do work as well as interactive whiteboards these projectors could be a huge cost saving alternative for school districts.
This is an interesting concept, a projector that can work “similarly” to an interactive whiteboard. According to the article, up to 4 people can use the interactive feature simultaneously. I did find one price online for $899. If they do work as well as interactive whiteboards these projectors could be a huge cost saving alternative for school districts.
WiFi on School Buses
Districts Equipping School Buses With WiFi
What a great idea for rural school districts. The students in the article have round trips from 1 hour 30 minutes or more. Many do not have access at home not necessarily because of cost but because their homes are so rural. I would like to think that many of these students would take advantage of this time t complete homework, projects or research. I wonder of it may also improve student behavior on the school bus. I don’t know if school districts with students on buses for 45 minutes or more each way have the same discipline issues that schools with more crowded buses and short routes.
I don’t think that my students and their 20 min bus rides need WiFi. If students do not have access to the internet it is for financial reasons not lack of availability. I also do not think that having 20 minutes or less would motivate them to take advantage of the technology for doing their homework.
What a great idea for rural school districts. The students in the article have round trips from 1 hour 30 minutes or more. Many do not have access at home not necessarily because of cost but because their homes are so rural. I would like to think that many of these students would take advantage of this time t complete homework, projects or research. I wonder of it may also improve student behavior on the school bus. I don’t know if school districts with students on buses for 45 minutes or more each way have the same discipline issues that schools with more crowded buses and short routes.
I don’t think that my students and their 20 min bus rides need WiFi. If students do not have access to the internet it is for financial reasons not lack of availability. I also do not think that having 20 minutes or less would motivate them to take advantage of the technology for doing their homework.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
The Pursuit of Technology Integration Happiness
I found an interesting blog; it may also be on Eric LePage’s list. The blogger is currently discussing “8 Common misconceptions about integrating technology in education”. Misconception # 3 is about experienced teachers and technology. I agree with him when he makes a couple of important points.
• “Experienced teachers, or teachers who fear technology CANNOT be thrown a bunch of new technology and then be expected to use them. They get overwhelmed.”
• “Experienced teachers want to use technology just as much as other teachers. It is up to Integration Specialist, Tech-Savvy Teachers, and Administrators to provide opportunities for experienced teachers to learn about and how to use new technology.”
In the last several years I have taught Professional Development technology courses to teachers in our district. The reaction to new (or new to them) technology is often positive. When the technology is presented in small manageable pieces and teachers have time to practice they are willing to incorporate technology. In class support is also essential as teachers embark on a new technology path.
I found an interesting blog; it may also be on Eric LePage’s list. The blogger is currently discussing “8 Common misconceptions about integrating technology in education”. Misconception # 3 is about experienced teachers and technology. I agree with him when he makes a couple of important points.
• “Experienced teachers, or teachers who fear technology CANNOT be thrown a bunch of new technology and then be expected to use them. They get overwhelmed.”
• “Experienced teachers want to use technology just as much as other teachers. It is up to Integration Specialist, Tech-Savvy Teachers, and Administrators to provide opportunities for experienced teachers to learn about and how to use new technology.”
In the last several years I have taught Professional Development technology courses to teachers in our district. The reaction to new (or new to them) technology is often positive. When the technology is presented in small manageable pieces and teachers have time to practice they are willing to incorporate technology. In class support is also essential as teachers embark on a new technology path.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Flexbooks
I am reconsidering my feelings about RSS feeds and Google Reader. I was feeling overwhelmed by the amount of articles, blog posts and news stories I was getting. However, I read an interesting article today sent to me on my Google Reader page. I probably would not have seen the article otherwise.
The article was about teachers writing their own “flexbooks”. It is an interesting concept. I rarely teach from my textbooks and would love to design a curriculum that works for me. Here is the article. Let me know what you think.
School considers 'flexbooks' http://www.argusleader.com/article/20100607/NEWS/6070317/1003/business
The article was about teachers writing their own “flexbooks”. It is an interesting concept. I rarely teach from my textbooks and would love to design a curriculum that works for me. Here is the article. Let me know what you think.
School considers 'flexbooks' http://www.argusleader.com/article/20100607/NEWS/6070317/1003/business
Monday, June 7, 2010
Net Neutrality
I am in favor of Net Neutrality. I feel that if I pay for access to the internet I have the right to visit any websites I want to, regardless of who owns the site. I pay plenty for the access I have and have little choice in who provides my internet service. As it is there are a few companies (Comcast, Verizon) providing service and they monopolize the market. Without net neutrality censorship could also become a problem with some providers.
As I was reading the article FCC details plan to reassert authority over Internet on cnet.com I was confused about the ruling against the FCC. I’m not sure what BITtorent traffic is or how it works. However, I found the “comments” at the end of the article amusing as I do for many articles or stories posted on the web. Based on the comments Net Neutrality is either leading us to Socialism, creating/increasing taxes, creating censorship or causing thousands to lose jobs. I was not sure which side of the issue most of the commenter’s where on.
As I was reading the article FCC details plan to reassert authority over Internet on cnet.com I was confused about the ruling against the FCC. I’m not sure what BITtorent traffic is or how it works. However, I found the “comments” at the end of the article amusing as I do for many articles or stories posted on the web. Based on the comments Net Neutrality is either leading us to Socialism, creating/increasing taxes, creating censorship or causing thousands to lose jobs. I was not sure which side of the issue most of the commenter’s where on.
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