Section 7

This section of the textbook addresses new directions and emerging technologies for IDT. For your final post, reflect on how you might apply each of the following in your current or future position in the IDT field:

1. distributed or e-learning environments
2. reusable design or learning objects
3. rich media
4. emerging instructional technologies, such as artificial intelligence, cybernetics, Web 2.0, virtual worlds, electronic games, etc.

1).   Although I do not currently have a position, in the very near future (and already in some areas), I feel that using e-learning environments is going to quickly play a role in many library media centers across the globe.  I have been looking into using Skype or other avenues to invite authors from long distances to participate in author visits allowing students and the community to participate in a live discussion.  According to the definition in our book, distributed learning is "any educational or training experience that uses a variety of means, including technology, to enable learning (p. 290)."  I have been involved in distance learning opportunities and know that the equipment is nearby and easily available for use in our area.  My entire Master's degree has been earned by using distance learning on online classes.  I feel that e-learning has a valid place in the future of education and is not going to go away, but continue to improve and become more readily available, even at an elementary level.  Using tools online to create learning opportunities has endless possibilities.  As with any technology, there is the potential for "hiccups" but, the "key to these systems is the manner in which they support and encourage the development of content...."(p. 297).  I feel that it is very realistic to imagine author visits via the web, celebrity read alouds, getting a birds eye view of the writing/editing/illustrating process that the students can actively be involved in.  I would hope that I can take an active role in introducing and possibly designing some of these new advancements in my area.

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2).  The campus that I used to complete my Practicum hours this semester, already incorporates  reusability throughout the campus.  The school uses CSCOPE curriculum and that is based off of building on past knowledge.  The teachers might use a webquest in 2nd grade that the 3rd grade teachers are able to use to enhance/refresh memories while then adding to the webquest to make it more grade level appropriate.  The library offers books on several levels for each of the topics studied, so the students are exposed to each  level books.  Although there isn't necessarily anything broken--it is materials that have been used and improved upon for the appropriate age group.  This campus is a very low socio-economic area and reusing materials is very important to budgets and a great cost saving method.  I feel that this campus does a great job with reusability and making resources last.  The school recently received iPads for each grade level and they are able to store programs for Kindergarten thorough Fourth grade, therefore making them a very usable and valuable tool on the campus. 

 

 

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3).Rich media is defined as "learning products that incorporate high-end media such as video, animation, sound and simulation (p.312)."  Each of the classrooms on my campus were recently given a SmartBoard and I feel these have dramatically changed the educational goals and delivery of education on this campus.  Teachers are easily able to locate and use many aspect of high-end media in the classroom where students can be directly involved in the delivery and learning aspects of the day.  Students are able to quickly see results and no longer have to wait for the teacher to change the projector screen, prepare the tape player, etc.  These SmartBoards have afforded the campus to enhance learning on a variety of levels--the viewing for the class is easy, it is directly connected to the teacher computer and can easily and quickly display videos, web pages, etc. at the push of a button.  The students are very fluent in the use of the SmartBoards and you can see them light up when they know an activity is coming up on the SmartBoard.  These boards are able to assist the teacher in meeting all learning types in the classroom quickly and easily in one central location.  the audio, visual, tactic--all learning styles can learn and retain information using these high-end technology materials.

 

 

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4.) I have learned many valuable lessons in my coursework for my degree.  One of the biggest lessons I have learned is the value of 2.0 tools in the education world.  The quick format of the forms, surveys and other aspects of the 2.0 tools makes them a desirable tool in the education world.  I can easily see and have seen the value in the surveys that can be linked to a spreadsheet to quickly see results.  As a future librarian, I can see how these tools can enhance a mini lesson, an interest check, etc.  Web 2.0 tools are easy to learn how to use and can quickly be taught at a staff meeting and then quickly transferred to a classroom setting.  I also see how blogs, etc. can all be used and enhance lessons in the library that can transfer to a classroom setting.  I do not have experience with may of the other emerging instructional technologies, but it is not because I do not feel that they will not work or benefit my teaching.  I have not been exposed to some of them as of yet, but after reading about them I can see how they could enhance learning to some degree.  I recently watched a PodCast where they discussed gamification using games in the classroom to motivate students.  We do not own any of the latest games in our home, but I have seen some virtual games used in PE and other educational settings and hear the students go on and on about the experience.  I will continue to research and learn as my career in library media specialist continues to grow and expand to new avenues. 

 





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