Emerging Technologies Project

Through this project,I learned a lot more about the current and upcomming technologies avaliable for use in our classrooms. It is pretty amazing how many ways technology can be incorporated into the classroom and used to enhance and further develop a child's learning and understanding on a wide variety of topics.

The first emerging technology I found to be interesting was a project spectrum from google. This project was interesting because it focused on developing and increasing the learning of autistic students. The project allows students with autism to take advantage of their visual and spatial gifts. This allows then to succeed in something that they are naturally good at and allows them to develop a sense of pride and success.

Another emerging techonolgy that we have been using, especially in this class is blogging. By posting blogs students are allowed to reflect on and comment on assignments, readings and classroom activities. It is a way for both students and teachers to communicate in a safe and educational mannerj regarding studetns thoughts and understanding.

Apple has also been developing a useful technological advencement in classrooms. They have begun to incorporate more of an individualized learning style. They are working to create more computer carts for schools where every student has access to their own computer for classroom activities as well as individual learning. This gives students access to computers at a young age so that they can begin to learn to use them and they can be useful instructional tools in their educational future.

Finally, I found that WSU has set up an online school for k-8. I found this site to be very interesting and a potentially useful tool for homeschooling parents. For younger children, I do not forsee them using this site for themselves because it requires them to gather materials and prepare for lessons and they would be too young to do that. Parents on the other hand can use the activities and projects to further enhance their childs learning and experiences. The downfall that I can see to this type of learning is that there is not any interaction with other students or group work required, that is unless a group of homeschooling parents collaborate to teach their students as a small group.

Overall, there are many types of emereging technologies avaliable for use both at home and in the classroom. This project had really helped to develop my understanding of avaliable resources to use as well as different methods to teach students of all learning styles and abilities.