This week's study was devoted to preparing our students for the technology of their future. If I had read the scenario presented in the text, even two years ago, I would have considered it to be a work of science fiction, authored by the writers for Star Trek, but now it seems pretty realistic. My school district is on the fast track to develop virtual classes, so I know the market for this kind of learning environment is out there. Also, with the IPhone, and ever smaller personal computers on the market, this method of educating our youth is more realistic and probable than we can imagine. The kids in my high school are quick to pick up on the capabilities and nuances of any new technological gadget.
That being said, I find that the glitches with this form of learning will originate with the staff and budgetary constraints. Teachers are not always open to learning the new technology and even when they are, they don't have the time or opportunity to master it and then teach it to their students. Even if the teachers do become proficient in the use of the latest technology, they often don't have access to it in school, for their own use, much less for their students to use.
Access is a huge issue for me in my school. I'm expected to teach a computer use and access course. I have computers and accessories that are so antiquated that they can't consistently, if at all, perform what currently is the most basic of applications.
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It's nice to be ahead of the rest. iPhones? You're lucky....
I think the concern that I have with some of the technology is how often we may have to replace it. You see people dropping $300-500 on iPhones now, and we really don't know the longevity of that specific piece of technology. I've seen my schools drop thousands of dollars on new computers, and 3-4 years later, we already need to replace. There needs to be something in place to keep schools in the current loop. Buy-backs are nice, but we all know how each year that school budget isn't as big as it was before.
Overall, though, nice ideas. I guess I know who to bother for info, he he he...
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