McLuhan’s+Tetrad

__I__Here you go :)

The emerging technology I used for my application was Tumble Books. I chose this because at my site (k-5) we have many students, especially our second language learners that need auditory development. Tumble Books is an online program that replaces the typical tape or CD listening center. It is different in it highlights the text that is being read, and students are able to have definitions and explanation of words read to them that they do not understand. A school can have a subscription for about $650 which ends up being a lot less expensive than purchasing books on tape or CD. This program has thousands of titles and genres that meet the needs of all reading levels. Michelle Epstein

Michelle, I do like your idea about Tumble Books. I think this would be a great way of introducing and learning about books/how to read at all ages. As a kindergarten teacher I plan my literacy centers using a computer center and a listening center. At the computer center they are working on building literacy skills (letters, sounds, reading, etc.) They are also listening to books online, which is where Tumble Books would be a great asset to their learning center. I do however continue to have my students listen to stories, because it is important for students to still just listen to a story and get engrossed with the pictures and storytelling without the stress about having to read it. When they are able to listen to a story they are able to enjoy what a story is. The downfall...I have been having to supply my own stories for the listening center, which are bought through Scholastic. -Amber

McLuhan’s Tetrad-Jennifer Pepper
The emerging technology that I chose was the SMART board. I referred to this as emerging because there are still many schools that have not adopted it in their classrooms. SMART boards can function as a computer monitor and a mouse. They can be used to manipulate documents without changing the image by using digital ink. They encourage students to be interactive with their learning. I feel the SMART has caused the overhead projector to become obsolete. Documents required transfer to transparency paper. The tool was heavy and awkward to carry and space was limited on the writing surface. Dry erase markers were used as writing tools that needed replaced often. The chalkboard seems rekindled with the SMART board because students were able to interact with lessons on the board. With a chalkboard, space was an issue and chalk was a messy source for a writing instrument. The tool that might replace the SMART board is the iPad. This technology would have the same capabilities as the SMART board, just on a much smaller scale. This would also require each student to interact with the lesson, enabling teachers a chance to assess the learning of the entire class.

Jennifer, SMART Boards are great! Another perk of them is that you are able to print and save what students add to the slides, which is excellent for students with special needs and students that were absent.

Colleen

Jennifer, I also think that iPads will be something valuable that students will use in the future with the SMART board. With the two items working together will help our students even more. With the technology we will be able to allow the students to use the iPads with the information that they are seeing on the SMART boards.

Erinn

Jennifer, I love the Smart boards. I acutally have a Promethean board and it is absolutely wonderful. Unforunatley, right now the projector is broken and I have had to go back to the overhead. There are so many things that I cannot do now that I have to use the overhead. Videos, interactive activities and so much more. Great job on your posting! Judith

McLuhan's Tetrad - Colleen Davis
While I researched emerging technology for my discussion, I discovered a need for a technology that helps my incoming freshmen with their organizational skills. To help meet this need, an emerging technology that would be beneficial is a cross between a Palm Pilot and a smart phone that was strictly dedicated to school. As Thornburg (2008) explained, as with all technology this would work through McLuhan’s Tetrad.

//Enhances// – This technology would allow students to record their assignments and important dates in the electronic calendar, where they would also be able to set reminders. Teachers would also be able to text reminders about homework and tests.

//Obsolete// – With this technology, students would no longer need the school issued planners and they would no longer need to write their homework on their hand.

//Retrieves/Rekindles// – This is similar to the idea of calendars and class newsletters. Students would have all their important information for school in one place.

//Reverses// – This type of technology would cause a competition between the different phone service providers to see who can offer the schools the best price and service possible. This may also lead to new phone related technology and applications specifically for schools.

This type of technology could be huge for the school. The stakes for achievement are always getting higher and organizational skills are key to academic success. By providing a place to record homework and sending reminders, students are more likely to complete the homework. When students complete homework, especially in math, they are more likely to do better and teachers are also able to determine their understanding prior to an assessment. Colleen- I really like your idea. I feel that students should have access to the same technology that they will be using in the real world and a smartphone/palm pilot device is essential for many professions now. Having all of the resources available immediately and being able to update them instantly is something that is important to everyone. -Ben

This sounds like a great idea. I know how forgetful students can be especially with all of the assignments due and tests in each class. This way students could be organized and have all the information they need right there in one source. Great thinking! Kristin

__McLuhan's Tetrad - Amber Cregan__
I'll be honest, I was having a little bit of difficulty thinking of a piece of technology that has since enhanced other pieces of technology without always coming back to the memory stick as discussed in this week's resources. I did however think of something that has been globally recognized (and slowly) into the school setting. I focused on the interactive voice response system (IVR). Interactive voice response (IVR) “is a technology that allows a computer to interact with humans through the use of voice and [|DTMF] keypad inputs”, (Wikipedia, 2011). I talked about the advantages and disadvantages it is having in the workplace, but its advantages in the school system is rather rewarding. While the Internet is an omnipresent utility for students and parents in some school districts, others struggle to gain and maintain consistent Internet access. However, most people have either landline or cell phones that they can use to access information,” (Plum Voice, 2010). Teachers are able to upload data (report card information, permission slips, class updates, etc.) to a program that is integrated with interactive voice response for parents to call about information in regards to their child. We rely greatly on interpreting information via the internet (and for some, our class webpages) but we neglect to realize that there are still families who do not have internet access...or a computer for that matter. I do realize that this extra step may cause a little more work for the teacher, but if you're posting it on your webpage to begin with, use your advantage of using a computer and copy and paste. It's that simple! We want to be able to effectively reach all of our students, so I think this form of communication could be quite useful for both student and parent.

References Plum Voice, (2010). IVR Deconstructed. //Plum Voice and the Education//. Retrieved November 13, 2011 from [] Wikipedia, (2011). Interactive Voice Response. Retrieved on November 10, 2011 from []

Amber, I think this is a great idea. We offer parents options of doing things in person, online, and through hard copies so why not another way to reach them and have them access information. This is especially handy for parents that travel for work or commute, they can access information on the go. Great idea, Michelle

__**McLuhan's Tetrad - Benjamin Thornton**__

 * For my technology, I chose the iPad. Similar to the One Laptop Per Child initiative, iPads could be used for word processing, research, data manipulation, and reading among other uses. I felt that because of the many ways that it can be used in the classroom or individually by students, it was an important tool for the future of education. I feel that it is one that schools should purchase to be used by students since we can not expect all students to be able to afford this tool. The important part at this point is showing schools how they can be used so they will make the investment for our students.**
 * Enhances -- This technology enhances the independence of our students. It allows them to do research, writing, studying, and to dig deeper into topics that interest them from their seat or wherever they are. With various software, they can translate material, find the definition of a word they don't understand, or see an equation in graph form.**
 * Replaces -- This would replace the laptops for each student, being even more portable. While it doesn't have all of the capabilities of a full computer yet, that will come in the future.**
 * Rekindles -- This rekindles the ability to make decisions on the move. With an iPad, students can switch from one area to another quickly even if they are traveling or othewise would not be able to find a computer or if they see something and want to find out more about it instantly.**
 * Reverses -- I think this will eventually replaced by optical displays. By wearing an optical interface, you will be able to see things without using a large device to look through. They are working on technologies now where these devices can be worked by moving your eyes.**

Benjamin, My thought was that the iPad would be the emerging technology that would eventually replace the SMART board. Teachers would be able to engage their students during instruction with interactive software at their fingertips. It would serve as an effective means for assessment, as you would be able to assess every student as the lesson progresses, not just the ones that volunteer their answers. The iPad could provide so many opportunities for the students to engage in while sitting at their desks. It would be a supportive technology that could provide for all learners: auditory, visual and kinesthetic. Differentiated instruction would be supported because there would be the opportunity to provide students with customized instruction and the chance to work at their own pace. Having schools invest in this type of technology would support the learners who come from homes that do not have this, or any other technology, available. Jennifer

__McLuhan's Tetrad - Kristin Crooks __

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I was a little unconventional when it came to my tetrad this week. I chose to use a Global Positioning System. The GPS enhances the ability to get yourself rom point a to point b. It replaces the typical use of Mapquest or Yahoo maps to find your directions. A GPS rekindles the old ways of using atlases and maps in order to plan a route from one place to another and most likely will be reversed in the future and allow the capabilities of autopilot. With this, I changed my ideas a little and transformed these abilities to form a robot that could take the place of any teacher or special educator. While it scares me to think of, I think this would be a great benefit especially for students who are need ELL accomodations. We have many students in our school that speak Creole. Our ELL teacher is only vaguely familiar with Creole, therefore, leaving these students with much to be desired in the classroom. Most teacher rely on the abilities of other students in the class who also speak Creole to teach the students what they need to know. I think if we can create autopilot in a car, there will be the ability in the near future to incorporate robots into a classroom to help students in their specific areas of need. =====

McLuhan's Tetrad- Erinn Blasco === The technology that I chose this week was the iPad. I see it as a wonderful emerging technology that would be good for all students in my school. It would give them the independence that they need to learn all the skills that they need during a lesson. I feel that the iPad will soon replace the lab top computer and the SMART board. The iPad is going to be great when it comes to differentiating the information and skills for the students. As a learning support teacher I feel that it is great that students are able to use the iPads to learn new information in new ways. The iPad would also eliminate the use of the paper and pencil and make things more interactive for the students. It will be great to have them fill in notes and cloze notes on the computer and not have to manipulate the pencil which can often be hard or time consuming for some of my students. ===

Erinn, I think the ipad is a great idea too. You make some great points. I think this is also a wonderful opportunity for students that do not have internet access at home. Also some students that commute to schools from rural areas and ride the bus a longer distance could use them on the way. Michelle

** McLuhan's Tetrad - Judith Buzzell ** The emerging technology I chose is the IPod. This new technology plays music without the use of a compact disc or cassette tape. It also has the capability of playing and recording videos. The IPod replaces the video cassette recorder, CD player and the cassette player. This technology brings to mind the old Sony Walkman. I remember my parents buying me one and taking it everywhere. Unfortunately, it very bulky and you had to buy an entrie album even if you wanted just one song. The IPod has the ability to download only the songs you choose. Honestly, I believe that there are some technologies out there they are on the way to replacing an IPod. Smart phones and the I Phones can do all that an IPod can do and more. You can listen to music and record video but these technologies provide the opportunity to share your information with other