Emerging+Technologies



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 * __TEAM BUILDING ACTIVITY__**- Just as if we were in class, we will have our team building activity. For today's take a look at this video and see how sometimes you might have to work alongside your enemies. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D85yrIgA4Nk

As we explored in class, the role of the technoloogy coordinator is to keep up to date in technology. To do that, technology coordinators, in collaboration with administrative and technology staff, must explore emerging technologies and find the appropriate place for these new modern technologies.

For class this week, I want you to explore the role of software and Web 2.0 Tools in the classroom. More often than not, school systems are trying to find creative ways to save money in the budget. Software can be a large district purchase for one piece, or small amounts ordered by teachers that add up to a lot of money. If software is needed, the technology coordinator must be able to support a rationale of the need for the software piece and prove that the software is also compatible with computer systems and current software on the various computer systems in the district. To do this, the technology coordinator must work closely with the entire technology department, administration and teachers before presenting his/her findings to the entire school board.

In each district, it is the school board that makes the final vote on the budget. There is usually at least one or two individuals on each school board that handle financial matters cautiously and will question all technology purchases. It is a time where the technology coordinator must wear armor and have bag full of "weapons" or rationales to fight the battle.

It can be won, but time must be spent on truly learning the technology pieces and being able to speak from experience and have confidence in each piece.

During the budget process, most districts conduct a software preview period before the actual budget is due. The software preview is a time that allows districts to explore new programs on a trial basis from the company to see if it is compatible with the different operating systems such as Windows 98 or Windows XP or the various machines that might have less memory or hard drive space. During this time, teachers may be asked to see if the program works like they want and if it will meet the needs of their curriculum. An evaluation form is often required to be completed by each teacher reviewer. Forms are tallied and a decision is made by technology coordinator and administration.

Besides purchased software, many school districts are moving into Open Source or Web 2.0 Tools. Both of these are free software programs that are web based and open to everyone. There are several issues regarding Open Source and Web 2.0, mostly surrounding the security of the programs and the privacy of students, but yet this generation of young learners use these tools each day to update their MySpace pages, Facebooks, or blogs. If they are using it socially, it is time to use it in education. Below are some short videos and articles on Web 2.0 that I would like you to read. Believe it or not.. we are almost into Web 3.0!!!

Definition of Web 2.0- http://blogs.zdnet.com/web2explorer/?p=5 Web 2.0 Incredible- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDqGQ59jw_Y&feature=related ( This is a YouTube video- it may be blocked in your district, so please watch at home)

- **Blog!** A blog is an online diary that you can keep to update friends, family or coworkers about your life, family, or other friends. Education has engulfed blogging, to have online discussions and practice writing skills. After reading the definition and watching the Youtube video, answer this question in the blog: **How do you think Web 2.0 has transformed education and how we communicate socially in the world around us?** There is not right or wrong answer, but something to ponder. Please respond to at least one other person's thoughts by next class To respond to the blog, click on the comment button below my post. There is no need to subscribe to the blog, if you don't want to, but please include your name in the comment box. Visit the blog here : http://esuwhitman2009.wordpress.com/
 * [[image:assign2.jpg width="186" height="54"]]**Here is a great list of Web 2.0 Tools that are currently used in Education. For this week's first assignment, I have picked several of the more popular applications and want you to be software evaluators. Since most technology coordinator's must preview the software, it will give you an opportunity to see how you must complete a review. http://cogdogroo.wikispaces.com/StoryTools For this review, I would like you to post your summary of each program to the blog. As you respond, please include the following:
 * Summary of Software: ( What does it do? How does it meet the needs to curriculum? Is it standards based?) **
 * Rationale for Purchase: ( please be as specific as possible) **

Post your answers to the class blog. Please be unique in your answers, not just agreeing with the other posts.

1. [|http://voicethread.com]

2. [|http://www.toondoo.com]

3. [|http://www.kerpoof.com]

4. [|http://www.blabberize.com]

-Pick two others from the Story Tools list and evaluate them as well.

-Pick ONE of the above or from your own choices, to discuss next week.


 * [[image:assign3.jpg width="206" height="60"]]Visit the following list of Web 2.0 tools.** Web 2.0 Tools **Pretend you are a teacher in your district and you want the district to purchase three new programs for your classroom. You are required to complete a software preview. Choose 3 programs, one from each category, from the website and complete the software preview for each one.** These are due next class typed out in MS Word, please use the template here: [[file:Software Preview.doc]]

My goal for this class is for you to realize the importance of software evaluations and the impact it has in education. In class next week, we will finish the hardware budget activity we started last week and add in the software budget. After the completion of the budget you will see why technology is often cut because it is usually a large part of every district's budget.

If you have any problems, feel free to contact me.