McLuhan's+Tetrad

Vicki Fishman My application 2 paper focused on the use of ebook technology in the classroom. This emerging technology provides students with access 24/7 at home and in school to download any available book within seconds. Some are cost free thus attractive to cash strapped districts. Ebook capabilities include changing font size, a read-a-loud feature, a built in dictionary and highlighting feature. Programs developed for the ebook such as Tumblebooks allows the teacher to customize the narration of the story to allow for class discussion. Using the attributes of the ebook, teachers can customize students’ learning to meet their diverse needs learning styles and preferences. When matching McLuhan’s tetrad model, I addressed the four laws of media in relation to ebooks. What ebooks do that is new is to provide an easily accessible, interactive environment allowing the reader to personalize their learning experience as aforementioned. It is feasible that what might become obsolete are traditional books, although there is a camp concerned that students cannot learn as effectively without the physical interaction of a book cover and pages. Ebooks have retrieved, or improved upon the no longer well known books on tape. The powerful, compact, and efficient ebook far exceeds the capabilities, convenience, and efficiency, of books on tape. What will replace ebooks as they emerge and reach their potential is unknown. However I believe the follow-up technology on the horizon would be a video presentation of every book providing a more comprehensive experience for the reader.

Jill Capozzoli Cloud computing is an emerging technology that offers access to information or software over the internet without having to store it on your own computer. It is offered as a service rather than a product. The use of cloud computing is already happening with many of the social networking, publishing, collaborating, and editing technologies. Many of our students are already using these technologies in their personal lives, so it would be beneficial for schools to tap into what students are using. The use of cloud computing enables users to use different mediums, such as: smart phones, tablets, and laptops. When students can access their information through these different mediums it promotes collaboration, communication, creativity, and expression all of which are 21st century skills. A benefit of cloud computing would mean that schools would not have to purchase multiple copies of software. Instead, schools could load one application for all to use which would save money. In addition, schools could experiment and learn with different applications because there would not be a need for so many copies. Another benefit for schools would be a chance to purchase tablet computers and not the need to purchase computers with a large amount of memory because the cloud stores the information. As a result, this can be a great cost saving to schools and using other technology devices with students.

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Virtual dissection technology is an emerging technology that gives students the chance to learn about an organism's internal systems without the mess and ethical dilemma of actually cutting into an animal. When I was in high school, this activity constituted a very large part of our grade, and I remember thinking that if I could only invent something that could eliminate the problem of actually having to dissect a fetal pig it would make so many people very happy... This technology has finally come about and offers students the chance to learn biology without the mess of learning biology. The largest problem with this technology, I think would be the need for tablet computers, but if tablets were ordered as a class set (and students worked with lab partners as they do with regular biology labs) this could be a viable option! The virtual dissection software would replace the need for buckets of specimens, as well as the need for clean-up and proper disposal of biology materials at the end of lab. Teachers would also no longer be responsible for students wielding scalpels and sharp objects in class. =====

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A future possible direction for virtual dissection technology could include 3-D holographic virtual dissection in which students can manipulate organs and move the organism around to get a better view. This could be a long way off, though... I feel that between the cost of disposal of the waste from the lab experiments as well as the cost of the actual organisms, the virtual technology could end up saving schools money over the long run. =====

Lauren Flynn I selected the e-book as my emerging technology. E-books are more convenient that traditional books in that they can be downloaded with the click of a button, from almost anywhere. There is no need to physically go to a store or library. They allow users to highlight and underline text, look-up unfamiliar terms, and take notes. There are also some applications, like the iScroll app for the iPad/iPhone, that have both an audio and visual component. This technology, particularly when used with the audio component is reminiscent of the storytelling many of us enjoyed at a library or in school when we were younger.

Though e-books aren’t currently being used in most classrooms across the nation, they are becoming more popular. These would benefit students in a number of ways. Today’s students are used to getting information by looking at a screen. They could highlight, underline, and keep notes in the margins of the book, which is typically not allowed in the traditional textbook. They would also have all of their notes and textbooks for all of their classes in one portable device. This would save them from carrying heavy textbooks in school and home from school. E-books would probably also help school districts to save money in the long run.

Cloud Computing-Vicki Fishman I am excited about the thought of using cloud computing. In my classroom we don't have technology throughout the school. Special education is the last to obtain it. My students could use their smart phones as cameras and store their pictures to be used for future assignments. We could even create a class locker on the cloud to store any and all information to be used for future reports or reference. In conversing with other teachers, they have already discussed the limited space on their networks. Could computing could be an importan alternative. I was curious if "the cloud" could be used as a collaborative tool where multiple classrooms could have access to the same cloud?

E-Books - Jennifer Desiderio As long as students have a computer at home to access the internet, ebooks are a great idea! Books become more accessible for students with disabilities, allowing them to change font sizes and use narration. The dictionary features are also extremely useful, since students can immediately look up a word with which they are unfamiliar. I am not sure, however that the ebook will obsolete traditional books. Too many people enjoy the actual act of reading a book...although over time, who knows?

Virtual dissection--Jill Capozzoli That seems like a really great way to expose students to dissection. I know that when I can view something 3-D it really helps me to get a clearer picture and understand how everything fits together. Of course, as you said, it would alleviate the need for sharp objects as well as the mess. I did show it to my boys who were not real keen on the idea at first, but they were intrigued after we viewed the sample app. They both felt it would be a great lesson, especially since their teacher did not do dissecting; maybe she does not like the mess. As always, though, it seems to come down to costs. I can see how a tablet computer can provide so many avenues for teachers and students. Hopefully you will get the chance to use it someday.

Virtual Dissection-Vicki Fishman I can't believe that tecnology now provides the capability of virutal disection. As a high school student I avoided any dissection classes I possibly could just because it was really hard for me to participte comfortably. I think I would have been able to handle the virtual dissection much better. I sure this technology tool will be extremely valuable in providing the information students need in a less messy and perhaps more comfortable way.

Virtual Dissection - Lauren Flynn I remember having to dissect a frog when I was in school. I have very weak stomach and it wasn't a very pleasant experience. This technology is something I would've welcomed as a student. I also remember some students refusing to complete the dissection for ethical reasons or because they thought it was disgusting. This technology would eliminate those excuses from students and motivate them to learn about something they normally would not have. I can see virtual technology having many uses in a Science classroom.

Cloud Computing - Lauren Flynn This technology is not only something that is useful, but I believe is much needed. My students have been working on a Movie Maker project for the past two weeks. Every time I have students do this project, there are always some who do not finish during the time I give them in class. While it is possible to save everything on a USB drive to take home and complete, there are often many complications when they do this. If students could save to the cloud, this wouldn't be a problem. It would also allow students to work in groups and share work. We have slowly begun to incorporate this technology into our school, and I look forward to the day that all students are using it.