Emerging Technology

Emerging Technology

Paper lines the closet as less and less is being used.  Last year their was an initiative to print less by using more online applications to deliver instruction.  Printers are not being used as they once where and many models have become obsolete.  The goal is to print less and less.  Many teachers have been using the computer lab more and utilizing flash drives and network drives for storage and distribution of lesson materials. However, that has not been very effective, because access is limited to the school network, which cannot be accessed anywhere nor anytime by the students. The flash drive is also a problem when it becomes lost or damaged causing availability of the flash drive contents to be compromised.  I am interested in presenting the school with an emerging technology, which is the Google Classroom.  Myself and one other teacher are using the application this year.  This is the first year it has been available to use in our school.  This is a learning management system that allows a blended learning environment.  The following link is a how to video with instructors for creating a Google Classroom:  

•  Among the current technology of Web 2.0 tools is the availability of mobile technology.  Many students have smart phones and can access powerful applications to utilize the web tools and the online classroom.  As Thornburg points out many schools are still banning student devices.   He further states that a better approach would be to utilize the student devices as educational tools (Thornburg, 2009). 
• Many of the teachers have one or two computers in the classroom and would fail to see the benefit of using the online classroom, however many students have their own devices that could be utilized in the classroom.  
• The Google Classroom addresses 21st century learning and collaboration.  Students learn the way the world operates in a social media environment.
• Using Google classroom to post assignments and project even when computers are limited gives parents access to what is going on in the classroom.  Google Classroom also helps students stay connected when they are out of the building.

See this video featuring the why of the Google classroom

To Create your Google Classroom view the following:

Reference:

Google  (2014). Learn more:YouTube video retrieved from:  

http://google.com/edu/classroom

Google. (2014)  YouTube video. Classroom 101. retrieved from:

http://google.com/edu/classroom

Thornburg, D. D. (2009a). Current trends in educational technology. Lake 

Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.


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Cottrell Davis

Robin Lemire