No, to the "Kno" Tablets?
10/2/10
The company Kno, is planning on creating a tablet similar to the ipad, that will be used in classrooms. Kno would be a single screen tablet aimed at students and provide digital textbooks as well as allow students to take notes directly on the electronic tablet. The pricing should be less than $1,000 dollars and the founders claim that the Kno will end up saving children money because of the textbook purchases that will be eliminated. To be honest, I think this sounds like a really good idea, especially if it can be aimed towards college students. Being a college student myself, anything is worth a try to save money on the expensive textbooks. Plus, it would be nice to have notes you have taken directly on the tablet and your book all in one device! I'm all for the "Kno!" Check out the article on this device as well as the pretty sweet video that makes me even more interested in wanting to use this in my own classroom someday, or purchase one for myself! The world is focusing a lot on technology and this would be a great tool to use to keep up!
Image used with permission from pics4learning.com
Kno Article
Focus on Technology
10/11/10
It is important to realize that most new jobs wil require more than a highschool education but fewer than half of Americans under 30 do not have a college degree! Because of recent budget cuts, it may be even more dfficult to get a job without the demanding post secondary degree. The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation are stepping in to try and help this problem by developing the use of online learning tools. The Gates foundation has donated 20 million dollars for postsecondary online courses particularly for community colleges.These online skills are supposed to help lead the path towards educational skills, especially for low income young adults. I think this will really help people that may not be as financially stable as others but want the opportunity for their degree as well. Technology will play an even more important role than it already has in the future, and young adults should be well rounded in this knowledge.
Technology Article
image used with permission from pics4learning.com
3D in the Classroom is a hit!
Megan Timme, a principal at Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet School in Dallas Texas was astonished with the 3D content used in her elementary classrooms. She began testing 3D programs in her third, fourth, and fifth grade classrooms last spring starting with each student using 3D glasses with the projector. The students were immediately astonished and completely engaged in what they were learning. They’ve used 3D components with certain projects such as dissecting a frog, or viewing the solar system. 3D has also been a positive aspect for diverse learners. For example, students who are usually disruptive in class, or have a difficult time paying attention, have done a lot better listening because of the engagement and interest in 3D. Those students that have limited English have taken positive aspects from 3D as well because they now have something visual to learn from instead of just words. “Imagine what could be done for lower grades in math instruction, says Timme. “To be able to show the kids in 3D what’s actually happening when you’re subtracting, I think would be a very powerful piece.” More and more classrooms are beginning to integrate 3D and have found positive affects in learning from it. Students are more engaged and more interested in learning subjects that they can visually see.I would absolutely loved being a student with access to 3D assignments as well as look foward to implementing 3D assignments into my classroom. Coming from a student's perspective I can see where that would be very intriguing, interesting, and fun, making learning easier and enjoyable.
"The Journal" Read About the Effects of 3D in the Classroom!
Image used with permission from pics4learning.com
Magic School Buses!
Not only is technology advancing in the classrooms, it's advancing in the motor vehicles that bring the students to the classroom! The yellow school buses we are all used to seeing have added new technology to keep children even more safe. For example, there had been issues about leaving children on the school buses. To solve that issue, buses are now installed with alarm systems that sound after the bus is parked. This alarm forces the bus driver to walk to the back of the bus to shut the sound off, therefore giving him or her the chance to make sure all the children are off the bus. Many school buses also have developed global positioning systems that allow school officials to track where the bus is at any time. With a new product called "Aware", not only can school systems track where the bus is located, they can track the performance of the bus as well. I think this is really awesome considering not many of us think about the children getting to the classroom and what that entails. Without the safety of transportation, children wouldn't be in the classrooms at all. This is a very positive thing that each school bus should consider!
Image used with permission from 4freephotos.com
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