20% project, reflection 2

I think that teachers, students and school systems could benefit from my findings in my 20% project. There are many things regarding the integration of bring your own technology that would be useful for those participating in the policy to know. For teachers, knowing the pros and cons of the strategy would benefit them by providing them a sense of how to best monitor and implement the policy into their classrooms. For example, knowing the tendency of students to become distracted by using their personal technological devices in class could allow the teacher to alter their approach to their classroom, or to implement ways to check and keep students from becoming distracted. Students might benefit from knowledge about how to better personalize the use of their own technology to better facilitate their learning style. For example if students know which devices (laptop, tablet, ipad) would be best for the way in which they learn, then they could spend less time figuring that out and more time achieving meaningful learning. Research into the pros and cons of the policy in general can help school systems to make the decision on whether to implement BYOT or not in their schools, based on their students and their current technological resources. This project’s findings will hopefully provide new perspectives on the policy to provide teachers, students, and schools with additional input on the policy. I will attempt to write my blog in a manner that relates the most to the effect of the policy on students, teachers, and schools. Since these are the main recipients of the policies’ effects. 

Classroom Design for Collaboration

I choose to create a classroom that would engage students and create opportunities for collaboration. In my design I have tables where small groups of students would sit and be able to collaborate on projects. I also chose to put laptops at these tables for group activity. I think these small group set-ups will really encourage and facilitate collaboration among students. In my experience, small group settings have aways been a good choice for collaboration.

Reflection 3- Is School Enough

20% project, reflection #1

               I have done some initial research into my topic and found that so far it does not seem to be too broad or too limited. I think if I tried to only focus on one side of my issue, that it wouldn’t provide a good overall image of the issue. There seems to be a lot of information and discussion surrounding the use of the ‘bring your own technology’ policy and its advantages and disadvantages. I think there will be plenty of resources for me to draw from for my research into this topic. It is a very fresh issue and will have much debate surrounding it for the time being.

                To modify my topic so that it is sustainable until the end of April, I could research one side at a time. For example, I could look into all the arguments for the use of ‘bring your own technology’ and their stated advantages and analyze only that side. Then afterwards I could do the same with the arguments against the policy. Once that is complete I could then compare what I found on both sides of the argument and see which side makes a more compelling argument. I would then probably try and formulate my own opinion on the issue based on the comparisons.

                I could possibly divide my topic into smaller questions that would address different basic principles and ideas of the ‘bring your own technology’ approach. This might also make my research more sustainable and help to give a more detailed analysis of the topic. 

Horizon Report Reflection

I would agree that openness is definitely becoming a common trend in emerging technologies that are being used in education. I have noticed more of my classes that are using online open forums and technologies that allow for the ease of access for the class to resources and class material. I know that I have started to use Google drive a lot more for things like class review sheets and presentations. It provides an open source where others can access the material and edit it from a computer anywhere.

                

I think the change toward more personalized, open, hybrid learning and the changing role of educators means a new type of learning experience for me that is more engaging and potentially more effective. It is a more dynamic learning style that has the potential to accommodate my personal learning traits and abilities.

I think the challenge concerning the refusal of some to accept change is something that would prevent the effective integration of technology into the classroom. It is something that I would find challenging too, because I am not always willing to accept change, I like routine and established things. I think using small steps toward the change will help me to better accept it. As opposed to a full overhaul  of the current status quo.