TechDino's Reflections on TechEd Innovation

McLuhan developed four laws of media that seek to explain the impact of emerging technologies on society and other technologies (Thornburg, 2008). According to Marshall, every technology moves along four stages: enhancement, obsolescence, retrieval, and reversal.   The four questions addressed by each are: 1.      What does the technology do that is new? 2.      What technology does it obsolete? 3.      What does it rekindle from the past? and 4.      What does it change into in the near future? The following illustrates the four elements of the document camera: Enhancement What does the technology do that is new? Turns text and objects into digital format. Teacher can visually project objects and text for students to see with ease.   Obsolescence What technology does it obsolete? This technology makes the overhead projector obsolete. Retrie...

1.      Identify a current technology that has emerged in the last few years that shapes learning or productivity in education. Edmodo, a free social networking site for education, was founded in September 2008 by Nicolas Borg and Jeff O’Hara.   Currently having over 30 million users, Edmodo allows teachers to explore the use of social networking in the classroom with students (Hutter, C., 2014).   Students are able to collaborate with other students, post assignments, take quizzes and polls, and share multimedia files with class.   Teachers are able to provide instant feedback to students on their progress, keep parents informed and up-to-date, and facilitate online collaboration to enhance learning in the classroom.   2.      What problems or challenges have been associated with this technology? One of the major challenges with this tool is the criticism of others that believe social networking should not be allowed in...

I am featured in a short video on "The State of Technology in Prince George's County Public Schools," a presentation to the School Board on March 13, 2014.   Click the following link to watch it: https://sites.google.com/a/pgcps.org/techintegration/stem-plc

The following is a video presentation on collaboration and technology integration  in today's classroom: Other video presentations I have responded to: http://sportz75.wordpress.com/2014/02/08/8842-video-project-module-6/comment-page-1/#comment-49 http://robinsjourneyintoeductionaltechnology.blogspot.com/2014/02/final-project-video-virtual-worlds.html?showComment=1393153068199#c8704051117153885815

Technological advancements of the 21st century has definitely improved teaching and learning in the classrooms all across the nation.  Leveraging the latest devices, Web 2.0 tools, and social networking media have transformed the learning environment, enhanced instructional practices that are more student-centered, and have positively impacted overall student achievement.  Many educators have created technology-rich environments that are relevant to a constructivist classroom.  For instance in many classrooms, students post their own essays on blogs, use wikis to work in collaborative groups on problem-based learning projects, and using social networking sites (Edmodo, Twitter, and Facebook) to engage in asynchronous or synchronous discussions to share ideas or various forms of media for higher-level thinking and to extend learning beyond the classroom walls.   Even though technology has transformed the way instruction is delivered in today's classroom, It...

To actively engage today's millennial teenagers, teachers need to rethink their use of traditional strategies and tools, and consider the integration of the Internet and participative digital tools into instructional activities. 93% of teenagers are online, 96% of students have used social technology, and 71% of students use social networking tools weekly (Siemens, 2008). Social media and Internet connectivity have made information and content knowledge more readily accessible and not limited only to academic environments. According to Siemens (2008), both domains of access and interaction have previously been under control of the teacher; however, developments with technology and social software have altered how learners access information and knowledge. By leveraging today's new technological tools and strategies, educators create meaningful online learning experiences in the classroom that will fully engage students in the learning process. The graphic organizer ent...