Before some news of the day (as it relates to NECC), I have to give Apple a plug. Apple upgraded iTunes (cross platform) and included a system for downloading and then playing podcasts (see image below and note NECC podcast link).
It is now extremely convenient to download podcasts and play them on your computer (or your iPod). Will this have an impact on education? I think it is hard to say at present. I think this will be a more innovative technology than most my assume (note the potential to use images in the same manner as the artwork that comes with downloaded music) and it will be a big deal. This is not the same as predicting schools will find useful applications.
The Old Guys (Gender Neutral) Can Still Teach You Something
I attended a research session today that appears to reach a conclusion that may run contrary to an incorrect conclusion some may be reaching. In the day of “millenials”, thumb typers, gamers, and school programs that propose students should teach administrators how to use technology, it turns out that students familiar with technology appear to become more versatile and creative users when exposed to a school environment that integrates technology. In other words, educational experiences with technology improve the “skills” of young, but experienced users of technology. Andrew Gersick presented impressions based on a two-year observation of technology savvy 7th graders in either a “deeply integrated” or “superficially integrated” school.
Findings from observations and interviews were summarized by reference to three continua:
– resourceful —- restricted
– author — consumer
– community of practice — isolated
Students educated in the school with more deeply integrated technology were more likely to make use of technology in ways described as resourceful, as authors, and within communities of practice.
Exploring a variety of educational uses of technology helps frequent users of technology apply technology with greater versatility and creativity (my terms).
See the paper at the following link:
The Ecology of Children???s Computing: The Home-School-Community Connection
We had an opportunity to talk with people we know from eZedia. Improvements in eZedia products are planned for the coming year and may involve issues related to digital rights management. Given the integration of eZedia within Safari Video Networks makes sense. If this company can find a way to allow students to create products that make use of bits of video from the providers Safari can access, this would be very cool.
