Prompt #7

Educators need to be “skating” towards the new pieces of technology that are out there instead of falling behind and only focusing on the technology that is popular today. On the second adoption horizon, which includes tools that are likely to become popular in the next two to three years, I was interested in two of the concepts listed. Game based learning is a wonderful way, in my opinion, to get students engaged in what they are learning. I saw this method first hand when I was doing field experience last year in a second grade class. The students looked forward to the time that they got to use the computers to play math and reading focused “games”. The math games were mostly just addition and subtraction facts, but there was an added excitement that the student would earn points for correct answers. The reading games were focused on the students reading short stories and then answering some comprehension questions. The second graders did not even realize they were doing schoolwork most of the time, they just looked at it all as a game. I think this is a great way to promote practice and extra learning. The students can also access these online games at home, a great way for them to study and practice on their own time while still having fun. Another concept under the second adoption horizon is the use of mobiles. Many schools are purchasing iPads and iPod Touches for their students’ use. Schools and individual teachers are then creating their own apps and websites with tools for the students to use both inside and outside of the classroom. This is definitely something that schools need to “skate” towards. Most children in today’s schools have some sort of electronic device at home, whether it be a computer, tablet, or cellphone. Having apps and websites for the students to access at school or at home would allow them to have extra practice in subject, help them to review material, and also allow them to ask questions to their teacher and/or peers. One idea under the far-term horizon, which predicts four to five years from now, is about the use of flexible displays. I definitely think this is something we are going to see in classrooms in the near future. Flexible displays are basically devices, similar to a tablet, that are built into books, desks, and walls. I think this is what will eventually take over the use of textbooks. It is important for teachers and educators in general to look ahead to the technology of the future, because eventually we will likely be using that technology in our own classroom.