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"Emerging" Technologies
What defines a technology as being "emerging"? Though there are many definitions in many fields (see below),
the practical definition seems to be: if you haven't seen it before and
you're going to be among the first to use it among your peers, it's
emerging. So below is a list of technologies that exist in the world
today and that are beyond the traditional desktop/laptop computer
(though some on the list are peripherals or attachments or are
innovative uses of traditional hardware).
Your Task for this Module
- Select a technology from the list below. Sign up to make
sure you have one on which no one else is working. If you
have one not on the list that you would like to pursue, double check
with the instructor, but chances are good you'll be able to go for it.
- Research your technology
- Prepare an electronic presentation of your findings that
can be linked to a website (.html page, linkable Word document,
PowerPoint, .pdf file). It should include the following components:
- Explanation of what the technology is and what it does.
If it is currently used in another field besides education, tell how it
is generally used.
- What does it take to use this technology? (hardware,
software, money, subscription, training, etc.)
- Can it be used as an adaptive or assistive technology? If
yes, tell how.
- How can it be used in education? This can be your own ideas or ideas of others that you've found in your research.
- Give sample activities
or lesson plans where possible.
- Email your file(s) or the URL of your website to
theresa@unt.edu.
- Prepare an oral presentation to the group about
your technology using your electronic document. You can give handouts
of your Word document, use your PowerPoint to guide your presentation,
show your website and explain the components, etc.
Technologies for Potential Use in the Classroom
In the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), the technology
applications curriculum has four strands: foundations, information
acquisition, work in solving problems, and communication.1 (Specific examples are given in parenthesis. Feel free to use them or to research your own examples.)
FOUNDATIONS--Through the study of technology
applications foundations, including technology-related terms, concepts,
and data input strategies, students learn to make informed decisions
about technologies and their applications.
- interactive white board (SmartBoard)
- voice recognition software
- handheld computers (Palms/ Pocket PCs)
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INFORMATION ACQUISITION--The efficient acquisition of
information includes the identification of task requirements; the plan
for using search strategies; and the use of technology to access,
analyze, and evaluate the acquired information.
- webcams (in zoos, on city streets, in museums,
underwater)
- portable microscopes (Scope on a Rope)
- GPS devices
- dataloggers (HOBO)
- digital cameras
- scientific and environmental probes
- virtual reality
- 3D games
- interactive websites (brainpop.com)
- streaming video
(United Streaming) [when students acquire information from existing
video broadcasts; also see communication below]
- podcast [when
students acquire information from existing podcasts; also see
communication below]
- MP3 files/ audio
files/ streaming audio [when students acquire information from existing
audio files; also see communication below]
- wiki [when students acquire information from already made databases; also see communication below]
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SOLVING PROBLEMS--By using technology as a tool that
supports the work of individuals and groups in solving problems,
students will select the technology appropriate for the task,
synthesize knowledge, create a solution, and evaluate the results.
- networked graphing calculators (TI - Navigator)
- robotics (Lego Mindstorms)
- classroom performance systems (CPS)
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COMMUNICATION--Students communicate information in
different formats and to diverse audiences. A variety of technologies
will be used. Students will analyze and evaluate the results.
- blog or web log
- podcast
- MP3 files/ audio files/ streaming audio (and players)
- video production
- webcasts
- digital storytelling
- wiki
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1http://www.tea.state.tx.us/rules/tac/chapter126/ch126a.html
Definitions of emerging technologies:
Electronic tools and systems
new to the field that have not yet been integrated or standardized.
www.uen.org/delivery/ivc_glossary.shtml
new
techniques, tools and equipment used in designing or delivering
instruction, including virtual reality, electronic performance support
systems, and multi-user object-oriented domains.
www.ibstpi.org/glossary.htm
In healthcare
systems: Where the basic mechanisms and principles of
science are
understood but
implications for improvements in well-being and/or application are not
fully understood or developed. The event
horizon would normally be in the range 5-20 years but rapid
advancements in new science may be bring this horizon closer to the
present time.
www.ipem.org.uk/sigs/etsig/glossary.htm
In
business, also called Pacing Technologies: Technologies
not yet in use but whose potential could be significant in replacing
technologies used in current products or in generating new products.
www.1000ventures.com/doc/glossary_bt.html
Definition
of adaptive/assitive
technologies:
Hardware (external
and internal devices) to adapt the computer's
capability for input, processing, and output for students of different
needs (e.g., touch screen, voice-recognition devices).
cnets.iste.org/students/s_glossary.html
This site is © Copyright Theresa Overall 2006, All Rights Reserved.
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