Technology seems to be influencing everything these days. It’s not surprise that education is being affected. I found a link about the future of classrooms:
http://technology.inquirer.net/9177/when-digital-classrooms-become-reality
Vibal Publishing House Inc. and Microsoft are working on it, with the introduction of e-textbooks. From the article, the e-textbooks will have “multimedia features like educational videos, full-color pictures, instructional audio content, customizable text, interactive quizzes, online connectivity allowing external links to resource websites, study tips, and many more.”
A quote from Chris Datol, operations manager of Vibal’s subsidiary Vibe Technologies Inc., said “a child becomes smarter when he or she uses a digital device and consumes digital material.” That statement is bold, and I do not think it is entirely true.
The e-textbooks have hyperlinks, audio content, and more that seem to adjust to the distractedness of today’s world and make up for it. This is another approach to learning, but will it be ‘better’? It may be more effective to certain groups of people instead of everyone. Regular textbooks may be just as effective. I don’t know.
Things will be still taught in the classroom, of course. In The Shallows, author Nicholas Carr has made it aware that technology is changing our brains. It has made some of us hyper attentive. The book talked about experiments that showed that being hyper attentive may slow learning, and readings with links embedded does not make reading as effective. M
There are online courses available in today’s time, but I prefer being in a classroom if possible. Digital classrooms with students at home or somewhere else are not as effective, if it ever happens. Maybe it’s already happening. Who knows.
Note: Right now I’m thinking about various topics relating to the future of technology of the internet.
Wow, this is a strong topic. The first thought I had was those TV shows like Ned’s declassified and the Big Bang theory where a teacher and Sheldon conducted class through computer screens and went through daily life in a digital form respectively. I too agree with you that being in a traditional classroom setting but I find myself thinking that we might just feel this way because we were taught this way. The article that you linked to about replacing books completely with e-books and connection to the internet, this might be a good thing for children if they start it at an early age and the problems we face as students that get distracted by the internet could possibly not be a problem if kids are taught how to focus more. I really like your topic, there seems to be many things to discuss about it and I’m looking forward to seeing how you develop your essay.
There seems to be a lot of good possible topic choices here. Technology in classrooms definitely seem to be a good idea to focus on. I don’t know how it is like in the US but in Korea there has been a lot of efforts to incorporate technology and education not just in general but in classrooms as well. Online lectures, smartphone apps, PPTs are among the most frequently used. There are so many possible combinations it is difficult to say there is a class completely conducted with recent technology. I guess technology in education is most efficient when it is conducted according to the person’s preference.
One thing to point out though. I think its important to be able to separate between incorporating technology inside traditional classes and online courses. Meaning, traditional classes can still use e-textbooks while people can use paper textbooks and take physical notes when taking online courses.
I think you’ve found a great link. I think you could also think about the costs of transition of education culture and method, including not only the costs of computers and devices but training costs. (Not all teachers are good with technology from the start)