EDUC 639 Research Showcase Video

This video presents a brief overview of a group research prospectus regarding university branding.

EDUC 639 Wiki Reflection

References

Callister, W., Blevins, K., Kier, R., & Pettway, I. (2014, November 30). Branding in Education. Retrieved from Wikia: http://ed-tech.wikia.com/wiki/Ed_Tech_Branding_Wiki

EDUC 639 Muddy Points

Most Important Theory Used for Educational Technology

EDUC 639

References

Collins, A., & Halverson, R. (2009).Rethinking education in the age of technology: The digital revolution and schooling in America. New York: Teachers College Press.

EDUC 639 Most Important Technology Trends from Interview with HP Executive

I had the benefit of interviewing an executive at Hewlett Packard to gain some insight on technology trends and the role of a corporate professional in the field of educational technology.  The following video captures the most important trends discussed from the interview.

EDUC 639 - Mobile Computing

Mobile Computing

With devices such as SMART phones and tablets, students are not using traditional desktops or laptops to access information at home.  An overwhelming number of students have access to mobile devices and that number is increasing rapidly.  In addition, at school, most students only have access to a traditional computer in a lab and on a limited basis.  With the advent of Bring Your Own Device initiatives, students are using their mobile devices more and traditional computers less.  Programs that are compatible with apple and android systems are popular with students.  According to an article in THE Journal, titled 10 Major Technology Trends in Education, the majority of students use 3G or 4G enabled devices as their primary means of connecting to the internet.  A wi fi connection is no longer required for students to access information.  Mobile computing is the wave of the future and schools need to embrace this technology to make an impact on student learning. 

References

10 Major Technology Trends in Education -- THE Journal. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2014/02/03/10-major-technology-trends-in-education.aspx

EDUC 629 Blog 1

How can a culturally-relevant online education model be used to bring unity to students of diverse backgrounds while still meeting the needs of a specific culture?

The potential of technology is limitless.  Online education is already centered around technology.  Online educational models use technology primarily to help faculty and students communicate, but emerging technologies can assist instructors with teaching diverse learners.  Technology can be a powerful tool for educators because it can be used to present information in many different ways, making learning more accessible to different types of learners. 

In addition to using technology to deliver course work, tools can and should be used to research information and complete classwork (McFall, 2008).  Technological tools can provide learners with the flexibility they need to be successful while maintaining common standards for all students.  For example, in an online math course, some students will be able to discern information from an online text.  Others may need access to a multimedia lesson if they have difficulty reading or following written examples from the text.  Regardless of the way students learn the information, all students would still be required to meet general benchmarks.  Providing varied options for students to learn concepts through technology allows educators to bridge the gap between diverse learners and meet the needs of all students. 

McFall, K. (2008). Technology and Diversity in Higher Education: New Challenges (review). The Review of Higher Education, 31(2), 250-251. doi: 10.1353/rhe.2007.0067

The Internet and Education

In order for our educational system to be relevant, learning must include the knowledge and skills necessary for students to be successful in an ever changing technological society.  As Picciano states, multimedia literacy is required as a basic function in the evolving American culture.  Utilizing technology in education serves two purposes: technology promotes active learning which increases student understanding, and technology prepares students for the technology driven world we live in.  Through the emerging technologies such as the internet and mobile computers, knowledge is easily accessible.  Appropriate multimedia can assist instruction with almost unlimited resources which can accommodate any learning style with video, audio, graphics, and interactive learning models.  According to Koehler, Mishra, Kereluik, Shin and Graham, technology can transform content by make representations visual, multimodal, or interactive. 

With the advent of Learning Management Systems or LMS, educators now have a tool that can deliver instruction that is compatible to traditional lessons.  Per Picciano, on the internet, student have at their immediate disposal a resource that includes the teacher as well as other instructional materials such as videos, computer simulations, and reference works.  Asynchronous learning has become significant over the years because teachers can provide instruction at any place and any time.  This flexibility allows learners to engage in education in ways they have not been able to do in the past.  For example, distance learning is now available to learners of any age, learners of any educational level, and who have a variety of educational needs.  Although, learning experiences may be different for distant learners, learning outcomes according to Simonson, can be equivalent.  One point made by both Picciano and Simonson, is the need for distance learning courses to be based on common technological tools that most people have access to.  With an LMS, the internet is the greatest common factor between learners which makes it such a powerful tool for education. 

In Gwinnett County where I teach, distance learning becoming more and more popular with older students, especially high school students.  Online courses provide an alternative setting for some students who for whatever reason are not successful in a traditional classroom.  Being able to offer an alternative to struggling students is important in making sure every child has an opportunity to learn.  Additionally, many high school students take courses online to earn credits faster or for dual enrollment in college courses.  The flexibility that distance learning offers is one of the reasons why Picciano predicts that the participation in online education over the next decade will increase significantly.  Without it, I wouldn’t be sharing this post.  Online education is the only way I could have completed my degree and it is the wave of the future. 

References

Koehler, M. J., Mishra, P., Kereluik, K., Shin, T., & Graham, C. R. (2008). The technological pedagogical content knowledge framework. In Handbook of research on educational communications and technology (pp. 101-111). New York: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

Picciano, A. (2011). Educational leadership and planning for technology (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson.

Simonson, M. R. (2012). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education. Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Data Driven Decisions and Technology in Instruction

Today, I will be discussing data driven decision making and how it relates to technology integration in the classroom.

References

Fortson, K. (2013). Creating device-neutral assignments for BYOD classes.THE Journal (Technological Horizons In Education), 40(2), 6.

Picciano, A. (2011). Educational leadership and planning for technology (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson.

Technology Integration in Schools

Hello Everyone,

In this video, I discuss technology integration in schools, specifically the challenges facing schools in implementing technology plans and my personal experiences with technology integration at my school.  Below is a list of references I mention in the video.

References

Picciano, A. (2011). Educational leadership and planning for technology (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson.

Thiele, Alecia K., Mai, Jennifer A., & Post, S., (2014). The student-centered classroom of the 21st century: Integrating web 2.0 applications and other technology to actively engage students. Journal of Physical Therapy Education, 28(1), 80-93. 

Hello Everyone! 

My name is Katherine Blevins and I live in Lawrenceville Georgia.  I am a middle school math teacher and I am pursuing a degree in Educational Technology and Online Instruction.  I began my online degree program with Liberty University last fall and am in my last semester of classes.  I am hoping to learn how to use different types of instructional technologies that will help me reach my current goal of transitioning out of the classroom and into a district support role for our new blended learning environment.  I am very excited about the opportunities that will be open to me once I earn my degree.  I am married with two children, ages 6 and 10, so I am a very busy, but look forward to growing as an educator. Most of my hobbies revolve around sports.  I am an avid softball player and have coached my children in softball and baseball.  Cycling has recently become a new hobby of mine and I just bought my first “real” bike which is a hybrid between a road bike and a mountain bike.  I look forward to working with everyone this semester.