The NMC Horizon Report: 2012 Higher Education Edition aims to provide an overview of the top trends of today and predict what will be coming on the ‘horizon”. The report was completed with the help of the EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative and the EDUCAUSE Program. The use of the report is granted under a Creative Commons […]
Continue reading The NMC 2012 Horizon Report Posted in: Week 02: The Edtech Marketplace
Tablets, game systems, smart phones and application like Siri all suggest a trend away from the inefficiencies of the keyboard for virtual interactions. Touch, Gesture & Voice are some of the more “natural” ways learners will access and immerse themselves in learning experiences. Opportunity Statement Learning technologies venture opportunities in Touch, Gesture & Voice are bountiful in that the introduction […]
Continue reading Touch, Gesture & Voice Posted in: Emerging Markets Poll
These learning technologies allow students to intuitively interact with their learning devices to facilitate learning. My personal use of a tablet to teach math has allowed me to incorporate technology into my classroom in a wide variety of ways and has allowed me to supply my students with fantastic opportunities online.
I never learned to type properly so being a “two finger pecker” on the keyboard is slow and inefficient for me. Other methods such as touch, gesture and voice will help me and others to get the message across.
I just can’t see going back from the trend of iPads/iPhones/etc – I only see touch, gesture and voice becoming more and more integrated in learning as the technologies to create these learning tools become easier to use.
I love these technologies and my family does too. From my husband, a high teacher, who is a one finger typist who can now develop his lesson plans/activities quicker; to my daughter who is dyslexic and this lessens some of her anxiety re spelling; and my science nerd son, who is in his comfort zone.
When I think of young children who are no longer learning how to type properly, I see these forms of technology as necessary. As well, many children with written output delays use Dragon Dictation to aid in assisting them to get their ideas down. Unfortunately, the most useful version (with the best voice recognition) of this product is very costly.
These types of resources open up many doors for students with special needs who may struggle with keyboards. It makes the process of using devices easier for some and can be visual based for those who struggle with vision, reading, etc. It is definitely a more interactive means of using a device.
Touch, gesture and voice is also linked to the idea of learning through the senses and brain plasticity. It touches upon Dale’s cone of experience http://teacherworld.com/dalescone.gif
I think like others have already stated these technologies really help further open up the world of learning for those with special needs or learning disabilities. They can aid learning by providing multiple options for all students on how they interact with content and each other, something that I think is only likely to enhance their learning experiences.
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tomwhyte1 2:23 pm on September 14, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I find the comment you made in your final paragraph, regarding the speed at which some of these technologies are adopted by districts to be very powerful. For myself, districts are both an educational, political, and legal entity, all of which sometimes bogs down the system creating a delay in the large scale implementation of these services. Conversely, teachers within those districts could implement change more quickly, but might run the risk of creating controversy with either fellow teachers or the district itself, if they adopt unsanctioned technology.
Furthermore, the speed of implementation in some cases is so great, that by the time the technology is adopted, it is usually out of date, which creates further implementation issues for other technology initiatives.
Thoughts?
jameschen 4:22 pm on September 14, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Great point. It seems that while the advancements in hardware and software may be increasing according to Moore’s law, our educational infrastructure is having a hard time meeting demands. It seems to all come down to funding… Or perhaps it might be the fact that Moore’s law has been turned into More law by the corporate giants through a design for the dumps approach to satisfy consumer demands. Take a look at this video to find out how: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW_7i6T_H78
James
jhodi 3:34 pm on September 14, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I thought that this report gave a great overview of several technologies and broad technological ideas for implementation in education. it also gave excellent examples of the educational use and purposes of such technologies and provided great specific examples of technologies that are in current use or are being developed. I very much agree with you that this was an easy read that provided a lot of information and in the future can be used by educators such as myself to get quick access to ideas in time for the technology to be relevant.
Eva Ziemsen 3:57 pm on September 14, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
I greatly appreciated your review of the NMC Report. I also reviewed it, and felt it was eye-opening. Like you, I started to follow links and started to download apps. Are there any things that you are already using or know that others are using? I’m trying to find a good way to keep track of all the links that I pursue in readings and even categories for new apps. Perhaps there is an app for doing that? I sympathize with your last comments, since many public high schools will likely not adopt many of these things. The same goes for higher ed. However, I do believe that there are elements of this report that can be implemented in small-scale ways, (especially apps).
kstackhouse 8:17 pm on September 16, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Thanks Eva,
I have used Delicious as one way to track links that I like. I have even created a Google doc for my own use where I copy & paste links and ideas. There are other ways to find similar links as well. You can use Twitter and follow other educators that you know have similar interests or concerns. This may help you as you build your list of resources to check out. The problem is that there is always something new, that is why I think this report and others like it are so important.
sophiabb 8:43 am on September 15, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Very good review. I agree that many of us tend to rely on other teachers and ed. tech. specialist for information on the ed. tech. market. This is only natural; other teachers and ed. tech. professionals in our circles are great resources. However, as you have pointed out, reports like this make the search for information easier. It also provides us with additional credible ammunition. As a decision maker, a valid concern in this technologically dynamic environment is purchasing technology now that will become obsolete within the next second. While this report does not solve this concern and this maybe nothing will, it is provides decision makers with a tool that they can consult. Great that it is under a Creative Commons License.
kstackhouse 8:14 pm on September 16, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Thanks Sophiabb, I think that the investment and length of time the technology will be in use is a major concern for the purchasers in education. The course ETEC 520 is a great course (if you haven’t already taken it) to help one deal with how these decisions are made.
Lisa Nevoral 6:01 pm on September 16, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
After reading your post, I took a closer look at the NMC Report and had to agree that this was an easy-to-read report that could come in very handy for future technological requests. I also thought it was useful how they had created a “Relevance for Teaching, Learning, or Creative Inquiry”section that helped relate the projected technologies to these ideas. I found when reading through some of the research reports or market projections many of the technologies were interesting but I couldn’t always think of a way I could use them in my teaching.
You stated in your last paragraph that many school districts were behind in technology movements. Sometimes, even within a school district you will see a big discrepancy. My middle school is 4 years old and we have a lot of new technology within the building. We have also asked for certain things and have gotten them. A colleague of mine recently moved to a high school within the district and she couldn’t believe how many devices they didn’t have. I guess there are different priorities and use of funds at various schools.
kstackhouse 8:09 pm on September 16, 2012 Permalink | Log in to Reply
Thanks Lisa,
We have the same issue in our district where some schools have and some do not. We also have the problem where we have some schools that have allowed certain products (Apple computers as an example) and other schools being told that they won’t be supported by the same centralized IT department. Very frustrating.
I agree that the “Relevance for Teaching, …” section was a nice feature.