Reflection+on+EDLD+5362+Assignment

Information Systems Management
This assignment was to create a model classroom of the future. Reading the Horizon Report for 2010 was part of the assignment. According to Johnson, Levine, Smith and Stone (2010) the Horizon Report is written “to highlight emerging technologies with considerable potential for our focus areas of teaching, learning, and creative inquiry“(p.5). I was pleased at the emerging technologies included in the report. I included some of these in my classroom. Working on this assignment made me really think about what a technology rich classroom would be. I focused on the hardware more than anything else choosing items I thought would create an environment the students would want to work and learn in. I read the readings for the week hoping they would provide some insight into ways to create that environment. One statement that stood out was one written by Tschirgi (n.d.), “Technology is only a wise investment if it changes something about the way students learn, opens new doors and possibilities, and/or helps engage them in their learning experiences.( What do you mean by "yield big results?",n.p.)” The only software I used for the project was web 2.0 tools. Downes (2006) makes the following statement about web 2.0 tools, “It enables the Web to shift from being a medium in which information is transmitted and consumed into being a platform in which content is created, shared, remixed, repurposed, and passed along” (as cited in Solomon & Schrum, 2007, p. 46). I included augmented reality for showing 3-D virtual field trips. While still two to three years away from widespread use on campuses, augmented reality is establishing a foothold in the consumer sector, and in a form much easier to access than originally envisioned (Johnson, Levine, Smith, & Stone, 2010, p. 6). Augmented reality was a new concept for me. Learning about the possible availability of this technology was a bit exciting. I started imagining different classes that could use this 3-D technology for the students such as Science, Geography, and even Reading. Another emerging technology I included was the flexible display. I had visions of a future version of SRA. The flexible display could also be used for an updated version of an ‘old school’ activity, the flash cards. I probably should have included some other software to support and enhance the core curriculum being taught. I also did not include any plans for what classes would be taught in this classroom which should be a necessity because it is to be a classroom. I tried to use my imagination when planning this model classroom but was not getting any visions. One thing I learned about myself was that not only thinking outside the box, but thinking outside of a box that had not been created yet was difficult; I do not get brilliant ideas. When I received the grade for my model classroom I was not pleased. When I looked back at the rubric I realized I must not have read it. I had not included enough evidence of Academic Rigor, Interoperability of Software/Hardware, or Alignment with Standards, Objectives & Academic Disciplines. I made the same mistake many students make, not reading the directions carefully.

Johnson, L., Levine, A., Smith, R., & Stone, S. (2010). //The 2010 Horizon Report.// Austin, Texas: The New Media Consortium. Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). //web 2.0 new tools, new schools.// Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education. Tschirgi, D., n.d. What is the Sustainable Classroom? //Educational Technology Support Center.// Retrieved on November 17, 2009, from http://www.esd112.org/edtech/sustainableclass.cfm.