McLuhan's+Tetrad

This page should be used to add and comment on the "Emerging Technologies Tetrad" from week two of the EDUC 6715 course.

=Todd Deschaine - Week 2 -- July 8, 2012 =

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Electronic readers, or e-readers, such as the Kindle® or the Nook®are now dropping in price and can provide benefits to the students and our classrooms. ===== Using e-readers in classroom settings can be analyzed by using McLuhan's Tetrad:

1. The e-reader may be replaced by smaller, more compact reading devices, such as those integrated on smart phones. ||
 * __Enhancement__
 * 1) The e-reader allows for easy portability of numerous textbooks as opposed to carrying them from class to class and to the students' homes.
 * 2) Instant updates, revisions, and corrections are provided to the user.
 * 3) Can combine several media forms of the same title, allowing multimedia and differentiated learning.
 * 4) Cost savings to the user or school district when purchasing new books.
 * 5) Reduces paper consumption and saves trees.
 * 6) Can receive assignments and updates directly from the teacher. || __Obsolete__
 * 7) The e-reader obsoletes the paper textbook. ||
 * __Retrieval__
 * 1) Instant updates, revisions, and corrections from previous volumes of books.
 * 2) The e-reader provides the user with the joy of reading. The user no longer has to go to a library or a store to get a book. || __Reversal__

The impact of an e-reader may be positive to the user, providing them with a resource that can be used to enhance their learning and streamline their work throughout the day. The impact on the school, the teacher, or a support person may not always be positive. The teachers will be forced to integrate the technology into their current classrooms. The initial work will be rewarded with new possibilities no available previously. Subscriptions to periodicals that would automatically be downloaded onto the students' e-readers would provide new learning approaches to current events.However, e-readers would come with their share of detriments as well. Textbooks do not break if they are dropped from the top of a desk. Theft would also become an issue with an e-reader compared to middle and high school level textbooks. A more disciplined approach to the issuing, safety, and use of the e-reader would be a priority if the program were to succeed.

The financial considerations alone may be the best reason for adopting of the e-reader into the schools. A typical textbook costs between fifty and seventy-five dollars each. Traditionally, students receiving four or five textbooks. The cost of an e-reader is currently less than two hundred dollars, retail pricing. In many districts, such as my district, there is not enough funding for each student to receive a textbook, so the teachers are forced to used class sets. This does not allow the students to take the books home for review, homework, or additional study. The limitation of using one textbook per subject class would be eliminated. Many subjects are taught based on what is contained in the textbook, and material is omitted or covered in an alternate method. The e-reader would lift these limitations, and the teachers would have the potential to incorporate more books, more multimedia, and more learning into their classrooms.

Curt to Todd

the eReader is becoming very popular. The availability of content is astounding and growing all the time. Students having the ability to access text books, etc. through the eReader is invaluable. I love the option of saving paper. Unfortunately, this will hinder the book business. The application of the eReader in a school would be great. Students can download the necessary text from a school site. No checkout or trip to the library would be necessary.

Joanne Crooks - Week 2

As a result of the prohibitive cost of technology and the ever shrinking education budgets the possibility of creating 1:1 schools becomes less likely. Therefore it may be necessary for classroom teachers to learn how to use the technology students bring to school with them every day their Smartphones or Androids.

Incorporating Smartphones in high school classrooms can provide access to Web 2.0 tools to more students than most schools can provide with school computers. Even if not all students in a classroom have Smartphones there are probably enough to provide a small group of two to three students access to the Internet. These devices provide access to so many tools both on the Internet and apps that can help students learn. Using cell phones in the classroom requires teachers use different management skills. But I would rather help students learn how to use cell phones responsibly in the classroom than spend time trying to catch them hiding them under their desks, in their backpacks or in their pockets while they text during class. High school teachers especially have to be willing to take this risk and help students learn how to use this device before they head off to college.
 * **__ Enhancement __**
 * 1) Connect to the Internet
 * 2) Access educational apps – for learning, studying, and practice
 * 3) Instant communication – texting, Twitter, polling || **__ Obsolescence __**
 * 4) Computers in the classroom
 * 5) Clickers
 * 6) Calculators ||
 * **__ Retrieves/Rekindles __**
 * 1) Encyclopedias
 * 2) Dictionaries || **__ Reverses __**
 * 3) I do not know what will replace Smartphones and Androids
 * 4) They might bring about change in education especially in financially disadvantaged regions. ||


 * Curt Gerbers - Week 2 **

Emerging Technology and McLuhan’s Tetrad

The mobile computing device is an emerging technology that has growing possibilities in education including the replacement of many other technologies. Smart phones, tablets, and iPod Touches are growing in popularity and can be found in the hands of many students. Many students use them daily and have one or all three devices. These mobile computers have possibilities that no other computer ever has. Each device gives the operator the option to search the web, connect with others, and thousands of other tasks. The largest impact of this technology is its mobility. It can be taken nearly anywhere. With this tool people can access information anywhere. The other growing attraction with this object is the social networking capabilities. Live video chat, instant image share, and GPS are just a few of the options this technology offers. Students can also use this technology to research, complete and turn in homework, or watch an educational video online.

Laptops, cameras, and desktop computers are all, in some cases, being replaced by mobile technologies. The power of a mobile phone may not match up with a desktop computer at this time, but the vast majority of people using them can do most, if not all, regular computing tasks on a smart phone, iPod touch, or tablet. While laptops, cameras, and desktop computers will still be relied upon for complicated and professional tasks, everyday use of mobile technology is replacing the need for the other three.

While still very similar, the mobile technology of today brings to mind the first generation of cell phones, iPods, and Palm Pilots. These devices were fairly simple compared to today's technology, but the basic options were availble. Connecting with others was easier with cell phones, listening to and storing music was easier with the first iPod, and many people turned to Palm Pilots for organizational features. Each aspect of these technologies now have been included into one. The smart phone, iPod touch, and tablet all have each capability of the cell phone, first iPod, and Palm Pilot.

Many likely could not predict the invention of the smart phone 30 years ago, which proves that we will never know what is in our future. The technology likely to replace the mobile technologies of today will continue incorporating more daily functions like the use of credit cards, car keys, house keys, etc. It will also advance on what we currently use. The quality of video, images, and sound will be better. The use of mobile technology has great implications on education. Teachers currently have many options to share information with students online. When students have access to mobile technology, they can access this information at any time and anywhere. Student access to informational videos, homework sheets, quizzes, tests, can improve the efficiency of today's classroom. This can drastically change how teaching occurs. Teachers can utilize a "flipped classroom" where students learn through various media and teachers can assess and assist within the classroom.

Learning can happen at any time. Students learn best when given choice and a reason to connect with the content. Mobile technology can provide this opportunity for each student. With this technology every student can work independently or together. Each student can access classroom content at school, at home, or anywhere they can connect to the internet.