Blog Post #8

I believe that the biggest technology advancement for education lies in electronic paper. I believe that it holds the biggest promise in education because it is light and easy to carry- that means students will have fewer books to carry in their backpacks! Electronic paper would much more difficult to damage, unlike eReaders and tablets, which have breakable screens. Electronic paper would be easy to use in the classroom, and for teachers, it would mean less papers to grade, as students can take online tests and quizzes on the device. Students can also do their homework on this device as well. This device would make a teacher’s worklife much easier: most of their work and their students’ work will be on one simple device, which will help keep teachers organized. Also, this device is cheap and will become cheaper in the future. The accessibility of this device will likely make electronic paper very popular in the future.

I believe that LCD touch screens could potentially be a major influence in the future classroom. LCD touch screens, while still expensive, will probably decrease in price over time as they become more popular. LCD touch screens are easy to use, especially for children, and can be installed with adaptive technologies that can be used to help those with disabilities. If LCD touch screens are installed not just in the front of the classroom but on every student’s desk, the teacher can share information with students. Also, the teacher can play games with students using the touch screens. This will make lessons more interactive and fun for students. Electronic textbooks and assignments can be installed on the device as well. Here is the website that explains the use of LCD screens: http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/future-classroom-technologies/

After listening to the digital divide podcast, I can say that I am on the side that has had a great amount of access to technology. My family shared a computer, and then I was given my own personal computer when I was a teenager. I’ve had a cellphone since I was thirteen, but I didn’t get a smartphone until I was eighteen. Now, I have a laptop and a smartphone that help me greatly with finishing homework assignments. During middle school, students were required to take classes that taught how to use computers and software (such as Excel and Powerpoint). At my high school, computers were almost always available. Even though the computers were not great, but they were sufficient enough to get work done. Now, in college, I am surrounded by relatively up-to-date technology. I know that if I work in an urban school, technology may be insufficient and not up-to-date. I can address this divide by avoiding assignments that require the use of computers and other technologies, and instead give my students assignments that they can use with a pencil, paper, and a textbook. However, I would also try to get my students as much exposure to technology as much as possible, but this may be difficult if the school I work in has limited access to technology.