Team 3 discussion
From Instructional Technology Wiki
Please Post Paper 2 Comments Below:
Comments by CJ Flay
Educational technology will continue to follow the trajectory pioneered by military and large businesses. Even though educators have a desire to be at the forefront, public education will continue to accept technology at a slower rate. Yet, the improvements made in technology will provide ample opportunity for faster assimilation. The degree of use in higher education and K-12 schools will still vary depending on the institution and their dedication to technology
Educational technology should follow the trajectory pioneered by military and large businesses. Is this not what we are preparing our students to go into? Public education accepts technology at a slower rate, not for lack of desire, but for lack of resources. Schools do a poor job of marketing themselves. I was in business for 20 years working for two different Fortune 500 compaines and saw how companies went about the business of doing business. If we identified a need we developed a plan to fill the need complete with bonuses and penalties for meeeting or not meeting the goal.
Schools waste time on appearances. In this PC environment schools are worried about upsetting anyone in a particular community. Feelings be Damned! If there is a good reason for a change (and all good reasons should relate back to a student's educational growth) it should be implemented. Too often schools are immobilized in their decision making processes, even in the simplest decisions. An example; recently I wanted to have a car wash at my school to support my son's upcoming People to People trip to Holland. I approached my asssistant prinicpal for permission. he said there me be some issues about paying for the water, it may appear inappropriate to the community, but take it up with the principal as it was her responisbility. I approached the principal and she said it may appear inappropriate to do it on a teacher work day that it should be done on a Saturday, but I should take it up with the assistant principal as it was a building use issue and not her responsibility.
If a school can't make a decision regarding a carwash how can they make any important decision regarding their future. Schools need to emulate business and military processes in order to move ahead in the 21est century. Essentially deciding what is best for them and not the world in general. Once a decision is reached determine when and how it will be accomplished. Damn the torpedos. Full speed ahead.
Comments by Rhonda Griffith
I found the video "Did you know" truly interesting and will use it in my computer classes to begin discussion with my students. Team three's paper brings up the point of educators preparing students today for occupations and jobs tomorrow and twenty years into the future that don't even exist yet. How exactly do we do that effectively?
If all we teach students to do is take tests effectively, never 'go outside the box' with anything creatively, never question, "What might happen if . . .," how will they handle the impending changes that will take place throughout the course of their lives?
Technology, computers, and AI is a part of this generation's life from the day they arrive. They are not afraid of it, nor are they fearful to embrace new technology. Educators should use this to their advantage and create as many "aha" moments as possible. Today's students need it for tomorrow's problems.
Comments by Grayson Beane
I want to talk about the personal section of your paper. I have always thought that computer technology has the potential to cure quadriplegics. When medicine can interface chips with nerve cells, the damage to spinal cords can be bypassed. This is one area where we could also eliminate the stem cell argument. Also on a personal note, As much fun as Skype has been in this class, as Joy's comments remind us, this is communication technology still in its infancy, and the applications that the future holds are greater than we know.
comments by Joy Knight
I wanted to comment specifically on the business section of your paper. As a part-time graphic embroidery artist, I believe that business has the most to profit by implementing technology. A New York technology company called IconNicholson has developed a "magic mirror" that enables customers to view themselves in a series of outfits - without ever having to remove their garments. What's more, shoppers who try on actual outfits can stand at the mirror and invite their friends to review the look via the Web. Those friends then can comment by sending text messages that pop up on the mirror's surface.
Closer to home, tech giant Cisco Systems has developed a system to allow shoppers to electronically check the store's inventory for the correct size garment. They can then talk by phone to a salesperson, who will bring the item directly to their changing room stall. That way, shoppers don't have to go through the hassle of getting dressed and trekking back to the display rack.
According to Dan Butler, the National Retail Federation's vice president of retail operations says that 60 percent of all retailers spend between 0.6 percent and 2 percent of their total sales on information technology systems believed to improve efficiency and make shopping easier for customers.
Increasingly important, as teachers, we will need to prepare these "future" clerks to become customer service driven employees. --Travelingdoxies 16:16, 27 June 2007 (EDT)
Comments by Chad Parker
This paper was concise but informative. We hear about and read about how the influx of technology is rapidly changing how we do business in this world. One has to wonder how far it will go. Regarding education, I agree with the paper in that education will probably still remain on the "tail end" when it comes to acquiring technologies and teaching with them. With the cost of the hardware, the continuous upgrades, and training involved, there is no way to keep current. I think classes such as this one (Instructional Technology) tends to excite us on the possibilites (which is good), and we might start thinking we need the latest & greatest in order to effectively teach. We don't. It wasn't too long ago that I was in an emergency room. As I looked around, I was amazed at what I saw. Computers were in most every room, automated blood pressure cuffs, flat-screen TV's (for patients to watch, if able), etc. I often wonder what sorts of backup systems places like this have, in the event the computer system would fail, for some reason. --Ceparker526 14:56, 27 June 2007 (EDT)
Comments by Becky Chappell
Your future paper was nicely done in that it broke down how certain area would be affected by technology. The positive approach was supported in ways that were easily understood and could be appreciated. With the rapidly changing world, and what appears to be an ever increasing desire for power, one area that is of concern to me is how will the technology be used in a military fashion? Also, what types of technology is already being used by the military for what they deem as justifiable reasons? This is just the thought that came to me as I read through your paper.
Comments by Sara Rhyne
I realize that education and business follow each other in a fox ‘round a tree pattern, but I would hope that in the future education might strike out to lead society. It would be wonderful education produced such intellectual members of society that the market had to catch up to them, instead of the other way around.
Comments by Josh Carver
When reading this futures paper I thought that it was interesting that you think schools and education will never be ahead of the curve when it came to technology. This is true, it does seem that schools are behind a bit when it comes to pioneering technology. I believe this is a problem of the tech manufacturers and designers and the government. It truly shows where education lies on the priority scale if the gov't awards more contracts for new technologies in military/defense than it does in education.
comments by Dean St. Louis
It doesnt surprise me that education would get the "leftovers" when it comes to technology. Thats the cheapest way to load schools with computers and report that you have funded teachers with the technology they need to be successful. Im sure there are still schools that have Apple IIe computers that count toward there inventory. This probably wont change especially if our country stays in the defensive state that we are currently.
Comments by Carolyn Query
I thinnk this paper reminded us all of where we've been and where we're going. We have so much to look forward to seeing in the future. Technology will be totally emersed in our lives and it's up to us, teachers, to take it and use it to enrich the lives of our students. Hopefully, we can also reign in the negative uses that could take control.
Comments on Future paper by Sheila Richardson
Gosh, does this mean that we will probably not be able to attend conferences but instead watch podcasts or participate in virtual Continuing Education???? I can just imagine all of the possibilities that teachers will have in which to learn their trade. Staff development money is so slim technology could really change that. Pertaining to health, will we have a chip implanted in our body that monitors our health, like my car has. If I am low of gas, need service, doors ajar, seatbelt not on, battery/engine problem, my car lets me know. The chip would transmit to our computer to tell us our health problem. Beep, beep, beep, "low on fluid, drink water now". Just a thought.....--Srichardson 23:19, 26 June 2007 (EDT)
Comments by Ryan Crater
I will have to agree with CJ on this topic. Distance learning is a wonderful way to learn but it isnt for everybody. As a technology teacher it has it flaws at time. In my opinion its going to be hard to replace the one on one interaction between teacher and student in the classroom. I believe that technology will assist teacher dramatically in the classroom in the future but not replace the teacher completly.
Future of Correspondence Education (Distance Learning)
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showStoryts.cfm?ArticleID=7155
http://horizon.unc.edu/projects/issues/papers/Distance_Learning.html
http://www.lifescied.org/cgi/reprint/2/2/122
http://www.nsta.org/publications/news/story.aspx?id=53896
http://blog.scribestudio.com/articles/2006/02/12/the-future-of-distance-learning
http://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/fall63/howell63.html Correspondence Education
Comments by Kelly Roper-Massey
In reading over this article, I started thinking about my mom. Many years ago when she was five, she took piano lessons through the mail. It just dawned on me that she was using "correspondence education" just as I am today. You have to wonder about taking piano lessons through the mail. But I am here to tell you she is very accomplished and has never had a f2f lesson. In fact at the age of 12, she appeared on stage at the Grand Ole Opry which was her first trip out of her hometown. I think distance education can open the door for many people in many different situations. As a single parent of two small boys, I cannot imagine going back to school in any other environment.
Comments by Karon Hughes
Many people do not think online degrees are the same as one you receive from actually sitting in the classroom. I have found with this Instructional Technology program that I have worked just as hard if not harder working online. I have shared with many peers how much more time I have to study, read, etc. instead of having to take the time to drive up the mountain to ASU to complete course work. For me I like scheduling my time to work on course work. I will admit there has been several times I have wished I was sitting in the classroom with a professor so I could get help instead of having to email and then wait on a response - and there has been a few times I did not receive a response to the emails and this caused more frustrations - there has to be a great committment to the student from the professor to be there and of course the hardware and software must work. I find it sad for our world that some people want to "cheat" ... all I can say is that in the end - these people are hurting themselves.
Comments by Rhonda Griffith
Kelly, I also took a correspondence course a long time ago in a Sunday School class and didn't make the parallel that it was "correspondence education" until we began discussing it in this class! The geographic region I lived in made it impossible for me to receive course work any other way at the time. It was only a small course, but I can remember how excited I was to watch for the mailman to deliver the mail, run to the box, and retrieve my next lesson! It was as if I could barely wait to read the required material and complete the lesson in order to receive the next one. I can also remember how disappointed I was once my course was over, and I knew I would not be receiving any more lessons. I think at the time I was about 14. It was a big deal for me then. If only students today would look at education the same way.
Comments by Chad Parker
Even though I knew correspondence education was initially delivered by mail, I had no idea that its use dated so far back in history. Going back to my comments on Team Two's paper, I remember using the postal service at times to send my assignments to my instructor when I was taking the telecourse (and she used it to send them back to me.) I thought it was neat! After reading CJ's comments below, I'll have to say that I agree with almost everything he said. Distance education is a good alternative, but I'm not sold that it will ever replace the interactions experienced in a traditional classroom setting, first person, between the student and teacher, and possibly with the assistance of technology. There was one course, in particular, that I took earlier in this program that was primarily "taught" by resources in the virtual world. The class was very technical in nature and DESPERATELY needed (in my opinion) more in-class, face-to-face meetings where the instructor could have been there to guide, scaffold, demonstrate, and explain those tough to comprehend areas. I'm sure distance education will improve; just curious how. As for now, I think a combination of online and face-to-face meetings is great, although I will have to admit that I've learned quite a bit already through this purely online course.
Comments by Sara Rhyne
Chad, Ryan and CJ make some valid points. Many of the face to face meetings have been more memorable than the distance ones. But I certainly cannot say that as I near the end of this graduate course and the degree as a whole that I have not learned and grown more than I imagined possible. I wonder if the face to face meetings were more memorable because that has been how I was conditioned to learn as a child. Will children of the future who only learn by “correspondence” not think so?
Comments by CJ Flay
Being a distance learning teacher in the NC Virtual Public School program and being a distance learning student for the past 5 years, first in the App State certification program, followed by the App State Graduate studies program one would surmise that I would give the correspondence learning system an overwhelming hand of applause. This is not neccessarily so.
I have seen the down side. Technology that wouldn't work, problems getting neccessary books from the library, professors who are unavailable, assignments lost in the electronic void and the absence of comraderie in the classroom.
I will be a hard one to convince that a meeting on the computer has the same significance as as a meeting in real world environment. The computer is a tool, much as the pen is, not a replacement nor a substitute for a good teacher.
I googled the phrase "The next best thing to being there" and got these responses. Talkback; Blogs; Podcasts; Personalized video sex; Groove, one of a new breed of relatively cheap, easy-to-install collaboration tools; Exchanging vows via teleconference; Securely control a remote Mac with two pieces of free software; (This one might not be to bad..LOL) Web confabs; videoconferencing.
I ask are all these things truly "The next best thing to being there"? How about being there to help that student overcome the frustration they feel by helping them put the right information in a Database query or help find the information they need to make a spreadsheet formula work or in my case help me understand the runtime errors I keep getting in Visual Basic.
No man is an island. No truer words have ever been spoken.
Paper 2 Comments by Ryan Crater
I have also been in Appstate Distance Learning program now for 5 years with CJ Flay. I have wittness the disorganization these classes have caused students. Again I believe you can not replace the one on one interaction between teacher and student. This is coming from someone who has experienced distance learning for 5 years now.
Comments by Grayson Beane
Most all new technologies are immediately applied to correspondence education. As your paper points out it began with the postal service. It seems that educators can see the possibilities in a new technology for educational delivery over distances but they often are hamstrung by funding or other restraints. The great drawback to distance learning even when its cheap is in the time lag. The sending of assignments and assessments over long distances once took alot of time. If a student took a test it might be weeks before he knew his results. The speed of the inteaction improved at least on one side of the equation with the advent of each new technology but some delay is often too much delay when learning is at stake. The advantage of the internet is that feedback can be instantaneous if both parties agree and have the appropriate hardware.
Grayson, I had the same thoughts about correspondence education. Now, I think it is like the little engine that could. As we continue to progress through communication technologies, it seems to be getting better and better. It is amazing that it has survived the slow growth but now I think it is really taking off...... Kim --71.2.155.218 21:59, 13 June 2007 (EDT)
Comments by Becky Chappell
Since technology does allow for better methods of distance education communication, it made sense that one of first areas to attract technology use would be education. Your paper states that initially distance education was meant for the handicapped and the isolated student. Now it is seen as a blessing for parents who need to stay local to care for children while they advance careers too. With the increased gas prices it has a great place in helping to save natural resources and dollars for the scholars. Even though there are still gliches that need to be worked out when technology fails, overall distance learning has allowed many to receive an education when a traditional method might not be an option. Sad to think that one of the main concerns is that people cheat during testing. Perhaps Skype could remedy that---talk our exams?
Becky, I think the best is yet to come!! Kim--71.2.155.218 21:58, 13 June 2007 (EDT)
Me too Kim and I am excited to be around to participate in it. Becky
Comments by Sheila Richardson
I think for many people the term "correspondence" or "distant education" has a somewhat negative tone. I have heard many people comment, "oh, he got that degree online" meaning that the degree was not as meaningful and maybe easier since it was done online. At what point will employers view this degree on the same level as an on-campus degree? Or maybe they already do and I'm out of touch. But as your paper stated, it does open up the possibility for an education that may not be available otherwise. It is sad to think of the cheating that could take place. However, I know of sisters/mothers, etc. who write papers for college students who attend classes on campus. But, I guess those students still have to pass tests in class. How could you remedy that?
Shelia, those questions are what fuel the rapid change in technology. I agree my first response to 'correspondence' was ewh.. those mail-order degrees. But my perspective changed and I really admire those who stuck by this form of education. Now it is taking on a life of its own. Kim--71.2.155.218 21:58, 13 June 2007 (EDT)
Comments by Terri Ferguson
What a very interesting article. I learned a lot about the history of CE. I kind of thought the same thing that Sheila did--CE definately had some negative connotations associated with it. I was not aware that the name distance education took over CE, I still thought of CE as read books and take a test and return it. Very informative!
Terri, its like those crazy ideas no really takes seriously and then it takes off. Kim--71.2.155.218 21:03, 15 June 2007 (EDT)
Comments by Evan Herreid
I have to say that I did not realize how much history there was on correspondence education. Very good article to read. As I read through the article I had some of the same reactions to the Testing and Evaluation issues. How do you develope a way to accurately retrieve testing and evaluative data through correspondence. With the advent of the internet and video teleconferencing that is becomming less and less an issue. What I would like to see is what the future holds for this. What new technologies will emerge over the next 5, 10 , 15 years that will ultimately make you feel like you are in the classroom while you are anywhere across the globe.
Comments on distance education... by Joy Knight
America’s colleges and universities are the best in the world. If we wish them to remain so–indeed, even if we wish them only to meet the minimal educational needs of our citizens–their future is inexorably tied to distance education and the digital technologies necessary to deliver it in any meaningful fashion. Without the opportunity to study on-line adult students (like me) may not have had the opportunity to gain an advanced degree. My ideal distance education course is an instructional combination of face-to-face and on-line delivery.
--Travelingdoxies 19:24, 14 June 2007 (EDT) Joy Knight
Joy, we are definitely benefiting from a combination of technology and tuning into the needs of students. Kim--71.2.155.218 21:03, 15 June 2007 (EDT)
Comments by Randy Colbert
Thank God for distance education? If I would have had to go to a college campus every time I have taken a class, I would have traveled a lot. Many people are now able to get different degrees thanks to this concept.
Comments by Jamie Branch
I to am very happy with using combinations of technologies for our distance ed. program....I do think CE is moving in the correct direction with the use of these technologies to make the assessment part more honest. I have been a test administratior for many people in the past years in their distance learning and I will never do it again. I signed lots of papers to prove I would not compermise the test and then the student "my friend" would always put me in a situationat that I had promised not to be in. I hope the computer will continue to help with these types of issues.
Comments by Carolyn Query
I, too, feel really comfortable with the combination of face-to-face and online delivery. Chad Parker and I have discussed on several occasions how we miss the human factor when we go too long without a face-to-face meeting. I have been going to school off and on since 1984 and this distance education program has been a life saver for me. I travelled every day for 3 years from Lenoir to Boone and back for classes and probably would not have signed on for graduate school had it not been a distance course. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for distance education.
Comments by Dean St. Louis
Im on the fence when it comes to this topic. I like the convenience of distance learning, but there is some value to seeing someone explain the idea. I took some online classes when I transfered to Middle School, and this was the greatest thing ever. The classes were Math related and I was strong in math so it worked well for me. The major problem I have with distance learning the idea that I have to learn it on my own. There is some value in that, but a lot more frustration.
Comments distance education Crystal Padgett
I think that distance education is a great way for anyone to get an education. Many people who have decided to get a degree after getting a full time job and kids or whatever can find time to earn their degree this way. It has been a tremendous help to me because you can do your work at a time that is convenient for you. You can get to know people you would probably never meet and learn new things from them.
Comments by Josh Carver
I recently saw an episode of 60 minutes that covered online universities that the show labeled "diploma mills". For a fee a person could receive a PhD, masters degree, or undergrad in a number of subject areas, having never actually done any course work. We have to be careful that stories like this don't devalue credible online learning initiatives like the one at App State. It would be interesting to know the public opinion numbers on "online education" and if people value a traditional path of education more than online education.
Comments by Evan Herreid on Futures Paper
I like the video, a nice way to show the way technology is growing by leaps and bounds. I remember a "Saturday NIght Live" skit a number of years ago where they did a parode on cell phones where they started out as these big giant phones and finally got dow to the size of a thumb nail. Yes we are advancing at such a rate my question would be... Can we keep up? Are we going to be left to a world like the movies "Minority Report", I-Robot" or "The Terminator" which all show different views of the near future. Will technology surpass out way of life? Will we begin to depend on robots to do household chores or mow the grass? Ideally most people would probably agree with this ideology, others however would fight it tooth and nail.
Comments by Karon Hughes on the Future Paper
I enjoyed reading this paper. I liked the way your group approached different areas. I do agree the educational world will always be lag behind the military and business worlds. Technology changes as such a rapid pace. The video is great! I loved it when the 3rd man said he was receiving a fax and the other two ran!
With such rapid changes occuring in technology there will be dramatic differences in all areas of our lives...personal, health care, business, education...technology will exist invisibly around us. I agree with your conclusion: "The technology being developed now or has yet to be conceived, will intrigue us throughout the years to come."
Comments on paper 2 Crystal Padgett
How true that once one technology premieres, another is already in the works that will surpass its previous counterpart. I am sure in the future the healthcare field and others will keep up with technology much better than education. At the rate technology is being invented, we may see the "network enabled telepathy" the paper describes.
Comments by Terri Ferguson
Very interesting paper. This definitely sounds a lot like what is currently going on and has been going on in education since the beginning. I really enjoyed tour perspective on other future ideas in business, etc.
