Where do you see technology & education developing next? How do you think the symbiotic relationship between the two will evolve over the next 10 year

I think the walls will come down in the K-12 environment, out goes the “no electronic” policies that most schools have to prevent students from the distractions of texting in class or using the technology to cheat on exams, Googling answers, and out goes the traditional text books. I think students will have the option to do more apprenticeship learning and distance education, such as take a foreign language online rather than a 9^th grade language class.

"Prediction is difficult- particularly when it involves the future." Mark Twain

How can authentic learning tools improve student engagement and deepen learning? What does the apprenticeship model tell us about learning? (5/19)

It goes without saying that the 21^st century learner is tech savvy and in fact continuously connected electronically. Educators are recognizing that the best way to reach these learners is through the constructivist model of “doing rather that listening”.

The X-Box, Nintendo, text message, ipod, and Youtube generation understands and utilizes technology for their learning. They often get their news; learn new dances and journal their life experiences on Youtube, Blogs, Facebook or Myspace, rather than newspapers, magazines or even television.

Educators must recognize that integrating technology in the traditional curriculum creates authentic learning experience for the 21^st century student. Even more, the new generation of educators, 21^st century learners themselves, recognizes the value of web based, interactive curriculums. These applications provide simulated authentic learning experiences. An excellent example of interactive learning is a program called Froguts. Froguts allows the learner to dissect a frog, squid or owl pellet virtually. This authentic learning experience allows the learner to really engage in the process, unlike the real life experiment, it allows the learner to make errors, which then allows the learner to do it multiple times, until they have a true understanding of the concept, rather than the “one shot”, hands on classroom experiments.

The constructivist model is in fact an apprenticeship model which is based on learning while doing. This model goes back many centuries and in all cultures. Knowledge, culture and traditions are passed on from old to young, from expert to novice. This model exists in many professional arenas such as student teacher/mentor teacher, medical resident-intern/physician. Vygotsky’s, Zone of Proximal development defines our apprenticeship learning even in the early stage of childhood development. Cognitive apprenticeship describes a learning environment where students learn form teacher in a constructivist learning model. Brent would tell you that in teaching his students skills such as horse shoeing or welding, he practices and apprenticeship model or cognitive apprenticeship

Why do educational organizations choose to employ portfolios? What value does the use of rubrics in evaluating activities and portfolios bring? How c

Portfolio’s has been a long standing requirement in teacher education; generally students would create a portfolio in their student teaching that is then carried forward to the job interview. The use of e-portfolio is now a growing trend in other professional arenas and with the wide use of technology it’s generally digitized. The portfolio allows a learner to collect and present evidence of strengths and competencies, gained either in their academic experience or in the professional workplace. The “activity” of creating the portfolio creates awareness/mindfulness on the students part of their of their academic/professional achievement.

The same role that rubrics play in the academic community is what it plays in portfolio evaluations. Rubrics establish clear standards and create a guideline in designing the portfolio for a specific position or course and for the reviewer in evaluating the portfolio.

Peer review provides the learner with peripheral vision. Peers provide multiple perspectives (Gardner – MI) and feedback that allows you to think beyond your own experience (Vygotsky – ZPD).

What is the role of an electronic portfolio in my ongoing academic and professional career in educational technology? (5/05)

At this point an e-portfolio will have value for a number of reasons. One, it will allow me to start a collection of my work in and outside of the OMET experience.
Allows me to maintain intellectual ownership of my work and work in which I contributed. allows for ongoing construction of work completed and demonstration of academic mastery and growth as I continue my learning and professional development.

An e-portfolio enhances and brings to life the traditional resume/CV, providing a platform to present evidence of academic and professional achievement to prospective or current employer(s).

More importantly, it will allow me to be more reflective in my career planning and decision making. At my age, there is little time left to explore, but rather to make a shift that will take me into my retirement years. The activity of building an e-portfolio will assist in creating a clear vision in constructing a career change or shift.

Utilizing the format of an electronic portfolio allows for:
• Various sections w/in the portfolio to present to different stakeholders (flexibility)
• Portability (web based)
• Utilizing graphics, sound, audio and video demonstrates technology competency