Who really knows where Instruction Design Technology is headed? As soon as you think you have a handle on things the way they are now, new technology comes out that blows the rest out of the water and changes our thinking about how we have always done things, creating new possibilities and new challenges.
The three emerging technology I chose pertain directly to my classes in Information Technology and STEM. I would like to further study virtual worlds, digital games (or simulations) and networks or Web 2.0 technologies.
Since I was a kid, virtual reality has been a carrot dangled in front of our noses and has been feared and rejoiced for its possibilities. From the Lawnmower Man to the Matrix, we see the potential power behind virtual reality. My vision is not so all-encompassing, but can already be seen in augmented reality, like Google advertises with their Google Glasses. Educationally, there are some really need augmented reality apps that can allow students to view and manipulate 3-D images. DAQRI has several science apps that allow students to view the anatomy of a human in 3-D or using blocks, view molecules and manipulate elements to form bonds. This allows students to view science in a whole new interactive way and help illustrate the concepts taught in class.
Computer gaming has been a hobby of mine since my mom first caved and bought us a Commodore 64. The ability of gaming to attract and maintain a student's focus can be harnessed to maintain their focus while learning. There are many games already out there to help young kids play and learn but I would like to focus on developing learning games for high school age students. While the learning outcomes may not be all that different from traditional means, the methods will be more fun and allow students to engage and enjoy the process, especially for students who do not perform well in a traditional classroom setting.
I chose Web 2.0 technologies because I teach Web Design classes and definitely need to stay on top of trends in developing web tech. Whether I use this for instructional design or simply to keep up with my students in web design, Web 2.0 is coming and will effecting learning. Web 2.0 will connect students and classrooms around the world, allowing for that global community we discussed last week. Gone are the days of pen pals in other countries, now students can Skype to other countries and practice their foreign language skills directly with native speakers. I think this ability alone will increase student language acquisition and will motivate learners to speak more fluently.
I believe all three of my chosen technologies enhance accessibility and accommodate diverse learning needs by expanding current educational possibilities with new ways to explore. These technologies can be used to enhance current instructional design by allowing students more real-world applications for what they are learning. In the case of augmented reality, it will allow students to manipulate items they would otherwise not be able to use or even see. Teacher guidance would enhance learning by demonstrating how to use these tools and what it all means. Teachers would need adequate training in these technologies to successfully use them in their classrooms.
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