This discussions refers to the Mind Map posted below:
Static technologies are considered relatively passive media. The learner receives information and then may, or may not formulate a response based on the message received. Dynamic technologies, on the other hand, require action on the part of the learner. They extend participation to involvement. Further, they demand higher-order responses. Dynamic technologies require the learner to become a part of the process, not a mere observer.
Many innovative educators are rapidly embracing dynamic technologies, while many others cling to the familiar static innovations. Regarding my own leanings on the static/dynamic continuum, I tend to try and determine the best, most effective tool for the job. If the goals and outcomes can be achieved using static technologies, then employ them. If, however, the activity would be better served through dynamic means, then by all means forge ahead. I do not view the continuum as an either/or proposition; instead I believe that educators should integrate the various media whenever and wherever appropriate.
One note: I found the Static Collaboration section the most troublesome. By definition, the word 'collaboration' calls to mind a dynamic process. Static Collaboration seems rather oxymoronic!
The Dynamic Solutions Group established a blog to assist in servicing and maintaining hardware and software systems. The author identifies technology problems and poses solutions at
http://www.dsolutionsgroup.com/blog/
In her blog, Kathy Schrock has compiled a list of popular and controversial blogs associated with educational technology. Some of the sites are rather interesting; I enjoyed "Moving at the Speed of Creativity" among others. Let me know what you think.
http://kathyschrock.net/edtechblogs.htm
I discovered this video posted on YouTube that directly addresses the future of dynamic technologies through the eyes of children. It is remarkable. Please watch it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWbVogqxGrs
Do you school setting allow you to incorporate multiple technological innovations within your lesson? Our school system just allowed students to access a district wide email access and I am curious to see how this is going to work. You stated your goal is to find the most effective teaching tool to meet your students needs, how do you create assignments that challenges everyone but does not leave any student behind? The smartboard is a great tool within my educational setting, that helps me to challenge my special education students; but my regular education students seem to be bored (in an inclusion setting). Help with some ideas and pointers please.
ReplyDeleteWith the assignment, I agree with your choices.
Nikisha, you have posed some challenging questions. As a middle school teacher of hormonally infused adolescents, I find it difficult holding their attention, period!
ReplyDeleteI teach a hybrid industrial arts/technology education class. Because it is an elective, students do not have to take it, therefore I must make it attractive to secure my position. I have attempted to make it as dynamic as possible by involving the students every step of the way. While other teachers ask their students to answer an open-ended question with paper and pencil, I have developed a blog for that purpose. May I suggest: edmodo.com? It is a closed site you can set for each class you teach. It allows you to do polling and it will display the graph your students generate. Also, I use a lot of hands-on activities: designing, model building and testing, hand, power, and electronic tool manipulations. For instance, even teaching something as mundane and innocuous as measuring, we get out of the desks, measure the things in the room, scale them, build models, etc. We even built a small, three-hole putt-putt golf course for the PE classes! I guess that I am fortunate in that regard because I have been given the flexibility to design my own curriculum without mandates from above.
The only technology limitations our school imposes are associated with Internet access. If the technology doesn't network outside our building then funding is our only limiting factor. Yet, due to our connection with the Department of Defense network, we have incredibly tight restrictions online. Technology in the classroom is encouraged, open online sharing is denied.