Module 3

Rhymes of History
Rhymes of History, as explained by Dr. Thornburg, "While evolution may be taking place the affect or impact of a new development rekindle something from the distant past" (Laureate, n.d.) An example of a piece of technology that "rekindles" or represents a piece of history would be blogs or the act of blogging. The mere act of blogging represents one person putting forth ideas, documenting events, sharing information, or interests for a wider audience. Once presented it is possible for the public to react or respond back in written form. Exchanging and recording information in an informal way has been taking place in the form of journals for as long as history has been recorded. Blogs are described by Wikipedia as regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video which are usually maintained by an individual. "Many blogs provide commentary or news on a particular subject; others function as more personal online diaries." (Wikipedia, 2010) In the technological age the act of blogging brings back the sharing and recording of information through journals into the digital and searchable form of writing, making it possible for future generations to search, read, and learn more about their families’ history or genealogy. Writers and readers are able to form a special bond with the journals because it is in those words that a person’s emotions are shared in a way that is only second to actually speaking in person. The connection grows as the writer shares a part of themselves with the reader, giving a glimpse into their life at the time of the entry.

Canadian Family (n.d.) Clipart retrieved from http://www.canadianfamily.ca/articles/article/teens-and-blogging/

Creative Journaling (2010). A brief history of journaling and diaries. Retrieved from http://www.creative-journaling.com/history-of-journaling.html

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer) (n.d.) Rhymes of history. [Podcast] featuring Dr. David Thornburg. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4433411&Survey=1&47=3931272&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

NY Times (1981) Diary writing turns a new leaf. NY Times Magazine. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/1981/11/08/magazine/diary-writing-turns-a-new-leaf.html?pagewanted=3 

Wikipedia (2010). Blog. Retrieved from http://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blog

Module 2 Tetrad

Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer) (n.d.) Mobile devices and the future podcast. [Podcast] featuring Dr. Elliot Soloway. Retrieved from http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=4433411&Survey=1&47=3931272&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

Thornburg, D. D. (2008b). Emerging technologies and mcluhan's laws of media. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.

Module 1

·         Identify a current technology that has emerged in the last few years that shapes learning or productivity in your industry.

    Podcasts and podcasting are being incorporated into today’s classrooms as a means to provide students and teachers opportunities to stay informed with current events, hear and learn from their favorite authors and experts in various fields, and experience new forms of communication.

• What problems or challenges have been associated with this technology?

While there are a plethora of free podcasts available for teachers and students to download the difficulty lies with the capacity to listen to the podcasts.  The simplest way to retrieve and listen to a podcast is through the use of a desktop/laptop and speakers.  This works really well if you want the entire class to listen to a particular episode but what happens when students are conducting research projects, listening to different books at a listening center, or trying to create their own podcast?  For these situations it would be better to have access to MP3 player or iPods, headphones for all students, headphone splitters for students working in groups, microphones, and quiet or sound proof areas to conduct podcast recordings.  While some of the items on this equipment list are not costly when you add up the cost of the equipment for numerous sets for a class of 20 to 25 students the total equipment cost can be more than the teacher or school is able to supply.

• What societal need does it meet, and what are its benefits?

Podcasting is a new and exciting way to propel our students forward in the digital communication age.  This new medium will give students a way to get excited about listening to books, hearing the news, and what students their own age have to say and what they think about the world around them.  Listening to podcasts from experts in the field will draw the students in to a wide variety of subjects and in turn the ability to podcast about their own learning will validate the process, making it meaningful and worthwhile.

• What would make this technology even better, avoiding the pitfalls you identified?

Affordable equipment that is accessible to all schools, teachers, and students will be the first step to more classrooms participating in podcasting.  While we are on the right track, as the price of iPods decreases, there is still room for improvement.

http://poducateme.com/

http://www.apple.com/education/podcasting/

http://www.guidesandtutorials.com/podcasting-in-education.html

Resources

iPod graphic retrieved from http://ithinked.com/archives/2007/11/page/2/