Sunday, February 16, 2014

Believe it or not, the future starts now!


Thanks to the invention of the Internet, laptop, smart phone, and tablet, we’ve got faster access to online resources. Different systems, like iOS, android and windows phone, give us various operations and perspectives. More and more teaching buildings have been covered free wifi, which provides teachers and students chance to use online technology at school. We have to say technology in education has made a huge progress for human beings while it still has some problems.


Classroom of Tomorrow introduces us many advanced electronic devices and functions. It is so convenient for students in the 21st century since they could read electronic books on iPad, search effective information quickly through siri or by scanning QR code. What’s more, teachers could use AirPlay to post information from their device to the projector and use AirDrop to send pictures instantly to the students. Those usages seem like separate steps, what we can do is to connect them into a network for learners. Combining the softwares introduced in The Networked Student with the devices mentioned above is really a practical way of using ICT (information and communication technology) smartly. More time is saved, less paper is used; students are tending to learn in an effective and environment-friendly way.

However, there are some problems to be solved for using ICT smartly. Firstly, how could school prevent students from overusing technology? Many a student might use their smart phones or tablets for entertainment during classes. How to guide and monitor them for proper usage of technology in classroom may play an important part in a student’s future. Secondly, compatibility of different systems should be considered. For instance, images, songs or applications cannot be sent between iOS and android devices. How to solve this hardware problem is also significant.

Generally, efforts from schools, teachers and students will lead ICT to a brighter direction. Believe it or not, The Future Starts Now ! 

4 comments:

  1. Hi! Xiaoxuan, I like your essay, because I think preventing students using technology tools for fun in class is an important issue for educators. Maybe we could use technology to solve this problem in the future, like we could shield some signal, so students cannot play games, but they can also get information and do practice related to school work.

    ReplyDelete
  2. You have pointed out some problems related to technology. I hope that there will soon be a solution for the lack of compatibility of systems. There is never a perfect answer to classroom management, but I know that in some schools or classes, the teachers have the students sign an agreement (also signed by their parents) that they will only use their computers, iphones, etc. for academic purposes when in class. If they are caught violating this agreement, they lose the privilege of using these devices.

    ReplyDelete
  3. xiaoxuans,
    Very good reflections on the videos and I strongly agree with your point about how we stop students from using too much technology in the classroom. The issue is we give them the "okay" when we allow them to us their devices for classroom work so they probably figure they are also allowed to use it for recreational use as well. I think the solution to this problem might be to set boundaries in the beginning of the year, and to make them know that you will be monitoring their technology use and the consequences for abusing their privileges.

    ReplyDelete
  4. As technology improving, when it brings us benefits, problems are also coming. I also think about the problems the ICT bring into schools. Students may use the gadgets to play games, watch films, but not for study. This might be the problem that holds back institutions to utilize ICT in schools.

    ReplyDelete