Emerging+Technologies+-+Horizon+Report+2010+K-12+Edition


 * Emerging Technologies - Horizon Report: 2010 K-12 Edition **

[]

The 2010 Report was explained. We were asked to break into small groups to discuss some of the activities in which we are currently engaged, and what challenges we face in implementing a move to the use of technology as a tool for teaching and learning.

After the discussion, some of the issues mentioned were that many are now investigating and moving towards Cloud Computing. Since we're already doing Cloud Computing in some places already, we should expect to see it become more wide-spread in the short-term (less than one year out.)

The discussion concerning Collaborative Environments centered on issues of potential abuse and included the difficulty in achieving collaboration due to the ever- tightening security imposed by IT/political/social networking concerns. It was suggested that a greater effort was needed to teach ethical on-line behaviors and proper etiquette at an early age. With that accomplished more collaboration might be possible while minimizing the potential for abuse. Pro-actively securing the collaborative environment is considered essential, but much needs to be done to address the constraints which accompany such security.

Questions were raised regarding the near-future of game-based learning with participants in the workshop concerned that the learning curve to acquire the skills necessary for creating games would make it difficult for teachers to implement. The argument appeared to assume that a game needs complex graphics and sounds. It appears that some students are actually fascinated with text-based games that pose problems in a textual format. The game is in the solving, not the images.

The workshop ended before going on to more of the Horizon report. Excellent presentation. My personal take-away from the workshop was that we in Waltham appear to be in-line or slightly ahead of many in the audience based on what some are moving towards vs. what we already have going on. The real answer to where we are in comparison would be in determining the degree to which we’re doing these initiatives. If we’re only doing these things in small localized spots we need to do more. If we’re doing it across the system, we’re way ahead. A careful reading of the Horizon report for 2010, as well as year-to-date comparisons of the report will help in any self-assessment.