Emerging Technologies Project

Kyle Hoffman
10663464
T&L 466
November 14, 2007
Emerging Technologies Project

In the 1990’s, humans made arguably the largest technological leap in history. To most of us, this is where the term technology derives from, since this was the booming start of the computer age. Many believe technology only entails computers and James Bond gadgets, when in reality, technology has been apart of the human race since day one. Take weapons for instance; Humans developed clubs, then swords, and ultimately guns. Technological advances were taking place from day one, when humans went from throwing rocks to beating one another with clubs. Because of human nature, and our infinite drive for knowledge and understanding, technology will never end. We continually want to explore new ideas to grow as a people, and in the education realm it is no different.
Over the years, classrooms have essentially stayed the same in the sense that there is an instructor whom is relaying knowledge to his/her students in the hope that learning is taking place. While teaching styles have changed and policies have been implemented on what is and what is not acceptable, the foundation of American education has stayed the same. However, classroom resources have changed drastically with emerging technologies. I could remember a time when there were no computers in classrooms, and now in some schools, students have their own laptop. Along with the mass implementation of computers in schools, many of the schools and classrooms are being networked for further educational resources and engagement. Finally, my 3rd emerging technology is the incorporation of video games in physical education classes.
With proper funding, many schools would like to make the switch from traditional textbooks to iBooks for example. With iBooks, students don’t have to carry each textbook day to day, from class to class. Instead, students will have all textbooks, information, handouts, and any other classroom resource that would be utilized in school. Not only is it more efficient for the students by having everything readily available in one place, but it makes the teachers job much easier as well for the same and other reasons. The accepted term for projects like these are “digital schools.” More information regarding iBooks and digital schools can be found at www.apple.com/education/k12 and at www.eschoolnews.com.
Along with every student having a laptop, these digital schools are making everything readily available by networking the school, more specific, the classrooms. Students can access resources on the web, library, or other teachers and peers for a much more broad educational experience. Schools are becoming more and more community-based, and it is important that we all learn to communicate and utilize new technologies that will only enhance learning, not inhibit it. Many world-wide projects are taking place where there is student interaction across the globe. This is vital for a sound world, in the sense that nations seem too educationally isolated from the rest of the globe and its current issues/events. Websites such as www.gsn.org are striving to make global awareness, interaction, and education a reality. The goal is to link kids around the world, for a better world, because they are the future.
I will soon be a physical educator and I have been thinking of ways to tackle the child obesity epidemic. While teaching students how to shoot a sound jump-shot is important, we as physical educators must first and foremost teach life skills. If students are obese, they won’t play basketball in the first place, so any plan of attack for this problem should be listened to. A great idea that I ran across was the implementation of video games in a P.E. class. When first hearing that, one might think it is a joke since kids usually sit in front of the television not doing anything active.
These technologies are different though, because they require kids to exercise, while still keeping them engaged via video gaming. Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) is becoming popular in many P.E. classrooms because the kids absolutely love it, but so do the instructors since they break a sweat while on the machine. Another innovative incorporation of gaming into P.E. is a bicycle that powers on a television and Playstation 2 by pedaling. If the students want to play the games, they must pedal the bike, and this is a great way for kids to exercise who aren’t apt to play team sports. More information in video games in the classroom can be found at http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/05/01/news/dance.php, and http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/30/health/30exer.html.While all 3 technologies vary, they all serve the same purpose, which is the betterment of education through technology. These emerging technologies aren’t in every school just yet, but in the near future I see mass implementation of all 3, because they are all effective in the goals they are striving to accomplish. Technology will never quit, it will only continue to grow, so let’s utilize it in education for a positive impact on the classroom.