photo © 2009 David Goehring | more info (via: Wylio)As promised, for those of you who just like to read, I'm once again going outside the realm of assigned blog posts to talk in more detail about something that has caught my interest. For those of you looking to comment on my latest Reading Reaction, please see the previous blog entry.Of course, I'm always interested to hear your thoughts, so feel free to comment on this as well. :)
I've talked at length already regarding using familiar technology like cell phones and mp3 players in the classroom, but I haven't much discussed a couple of relatively new devices that are gaining popularity. Interactive whiteboards have been on the education scene for a few years now, yet they are hardly commonplace. I have yet to even see one in person, let alone see all their nifty capabilities. I do know, however, that they've become quite trendy, and any tech savvy teacher I've spoken with wants one in their classroom. One of the major brands currently being used in schools in the SMART board. This video from SMARTClassrooms posted to YouTube gives a general idea of a few of the capabilities of this particular tool. An interesting article linked to my class by my professor compares the SMART board with the Promethean whiteboard. According to author Christopher Dawson, the two products are quite similar. He essentially says the preference of the user dictates the choice between the two. Costing several thousand dollars each, regardless of brand, it will definitely be a long wait until this incredible tool is as common as the original whiteboard. Hopefully that will give teachers enough time to become used to them and make the best use of them possible.
Another article Dr. K supplied us with this week involved new hardware that is giving teachers ideas. That reminds me to ask if interactive whiteboards actually are hardware... Back to the topic at hand - e-readers! Although initially hesitant and even against these devices, I'm starting to come around. Although I still love real books, I'm beginning to see the potential for the e-book. Recently I discovered that a book I needed for class was available through my local library. Imagine my surprise when I discovered it was only available as an e-book. If the book has been available in print, I probably would have made the extra trip to check it out from the library, but I didn't have that option available to me. Instead I used the e-book, didn't have to leave home, and I got to save myself some money. A couple of weeks later I read this article from the New York Times which explains how children are becoming an increasingly larger demographic in e-book sales. I suppose I can understand the appeal of the e-reader to a child who has grown uo solely in the digital age. The potential in the classroom intrigues me as a teacher. Imagine the precious classroom space that could be saved by having just one of these compact tools per teacher. As author Julie Bosman mentions, books in the public domain can be downloaded for free. Major bonus! And let's not forget perhaps the most exciting benefit of all; kids are reading! Nothing has been so revolutionary in the way we read books as these devices, so why not take hold of the revolution that is inspiring a love of books in our students?
My point, and I have been getting to one, is that hardware has taken over. Hand-held devices and all things interactive are the future of education. I, for one, have been so inspired by the potential for technology in the classroom in only half a semester. I hope in reading this post, others like it, and the articles that I make reference to, you will also be inspired if you haven't been already.
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