Vision+of+Educational+Technology


 * [[file:03 Vision of Educational Technology McDaniels.doc]]

Vision of Educational Technology** Based on the 2010 Horizon Report, "an ongoing research effort established in 2002 that identifies and describes emerging technologies likely to have a large impact on teaching, learning, research, or creative expression within education around the globe," there are four key trends and four critical challenges that go along with several emerging technologies to be considered in future technology planning and implementation. According to the 2010 Horizon Report, the four trends identified as key drivers of technology adoptions for the period 2010 through 2015, include issues such as, the abundance of resources and made accessible via the Internet, "maximizing the impact of learning by ensuring it is timely and efficient," the increasing use of cloud based technologies, and the collaborative nature of student work, (Johnson, Smith, Levine, & Haywood, 2010). In addition to these key trends, some critical challenges will also be important in the future of educational technology. Among these challenges is the changing role of educators and the way we prepare students for successful futures, the rise in importance of digital media literacy skills in every discipline and profession, and the effect of shrinking budgets on schools.

These trends and challenges are major factors that will, more than likely, impact emerging technologies to be seen in the future. Such technologies include mobile computing, cloud computing, open content, electronic books, simple augmented reality, gesture based computing, and visual data analysis. Considering the global perspective from which the Horizon Report is written, I believe it is a valuable source of information in the future of educational technology. Therefore, my vision of educational technology includes very proactive and aggressive strategies that align with the current trends. Specifically, as a technology leader, I plan to continue to pursue and develop Internet resources and relationships among educators, parents, students, community members, and all stakeholders in the educational process. This can be facilitated through professional development on collaborative communication tools, such as Blogs, Wikis, Google Sites, and similar technologies. Additionally, I will strive to integrate technology in all areas of the educational arena to support learner-centered activities and assist teachers in engaging students in critical thinking. This will be done through the implementation of cloud based and open source technologies, used to support growth and development in collaborative projects. Resources such as cloud based technologies have the ability to "distribute applications, storage, and even processing power to users in ways that are increasingly useful, low cost, and ubiquitous" (Johnson et al., 2010).

While taking these emerging trends in to consideration as I envision the future of educational technology, I will specifically address future challenges identified in the Horizon Report by placing heavy emphasis on professional development. Effective and efficient methods, such as online learning and distance education, will be strongly supported, in addition to educator participation and practice in professional learning communities, educational networks, and collaborative tools. Additionally, there will be widespread emphasis on digital media literacy for all students. To begin this process, I have created a Wiki that contains easily accessible links to resources and websites that will assist in the assessment of students' media literacy skills and developing these skills. According to Solomon and Schrum (2007), “To be literate today involves acquiring new skills, including those of using technology, understanding science, having global awareness, and most important, having the ability to keep learning, which involves gathering, processing, analyzing, synthesizing, and presenting information as well as communicating and collaborating. Free, online tools can play a large role in helping students acquire these skills,” (p. 20). Finally, as part of my vision for educational technology, the implementation of open source tools, cloud based computing, and electronic books, will address the critical issue of financing, while aiding teachers in improving overall student learning and performance.

References:

Johnson, L., Smith, R., Levine, A., & Haywood, K. (2010b). //2010 horizon report: K-12 edition.// Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium, p. 4, 9.

Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). //Web 2.0 new tools, new schools.// Eugene, Oregon., Washington D.C.: International Society for Technology in Education, p. 20.