Robot "runs" away...again

http://www.foxnews.com/tech/2016/06/24/artificially-intelligent-russian-robot-makes-run-for-it-again.html

I was intrigued by the title of this article, and after reading it I still find it humorous. The robot was designed so that it can recognize where objects are and move around them, and it apparently did this when a gate was left open and the robot moved out onto the street. The robot is being designed for potential use as a tour guide or concierge with a screen that can display text and the ability to recognize spoken words. Some people think that the "escape" was actually a PR stunt, and the way the company has reacted does not seem to put this idea to rest.

Either way, it is amusing to think of a robot that "wanders" out into traffic and blocks a lane on a street for almost an hour (it was about 40 minutes) before being found by the company that made it. After two escapes in less than a month one of the co-founders was quoted as saying that they may have to "dismantle" the robot so that this doesn't continue.

As funny as this may be, I think it also shows how the idea of self-driving cars and similar inventions actually have the potential to move through an area without coming into contact with something else. However, I am not sure what sort of speeds this robot is capable of, and I think we still have a long way until the public feels safe with cars driving but no one in the driver's seat. However, I do find it interesting at how quickly technology is moving and I sometimes wonder what it will be like in 10 years, or 20 years. To think that my first flip-phone was in high school, and now children in elementary schools have smartphones...I am not sure if this is a good thing or not. Hopefully all of the stories and movies about robots taking over the world do not come true!

Does Technology Belong in Classroom Instruction - Josh Mozer

This article from the Wall Street Journal discusses the impact of technology on classroom instruction and if it is a benefit or detriment to student achievement. The author tries to include both the pros and cons of technology integration into public schools. For the positives, the technology allows students to connect with other users around the world to share information, provide feedback, and gain new perspectives not possible in the classroom. However, with these opportunities it becomes much more difficult for the teacher to manage student behaviors.

Like the authors, I believe that technology integration does include positive and negative aspects. The biggest issue the author has is the amount of management technology requires of the teacher. This is true, but the quality of authentic learning opportunities that students have access to via technology is worth it. Teachers must teach and model appropriate practices with technology and ensure that their students are following these guidelines. It does take time to teach these skills, but once the students have the skills, they are given a much richer, more meaningful educational experience.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/does-technology-belong-in-classroom-instruction-1431100454

2016 and Beyond: The Future of Classroom Technology

By Melanie Nathan

     It is difficult to believe that in my lifetime - a span of almost 25 years - my community has gone from very few people having a home computer and even fewer people having an internet connection to worldwide high-tech classrooms that connect nations that are separated by thousands and thousands of miles. In this article, Melanie Nathan discusses four major innovations that are imperative to the modern classroom and what will continue to be important as technology develops or becomes more common in the coming years. For those of us who are in the educational field, technology is increasingly important to our classrooms and in the coming years will be the main focus of our curriculum. Knowing this, being aware of what technologies are becoming available to us is imperative to having not only an updated classroom but one that gives the students the tools they'll need to be successful in the ever growing technological society we live in today. 
     
     The article hits on points such as 3D printing and new platforms that teachers and districts will be using in order to share information with students but the most important point I found was that of the mobile classroom. Going on numerous job interviews, one of the first questions that I ask districts is whether or not the school is headed in the direction of 1-to-1 classrooms, meaning that all students have their own computer or device. I have yet to get  a no from an interviewer. Across the nation and more increasingly the globe, classrooms are going nearly paperless with all students connected together on the school network and learning technology as it becomes available, unheard of in prior generations. 

     Global and mobile classrooms are on of the most exciting things about becoming a teacher in 2016. My possibilities for lessons and teaching are virtually endless. However, while this is an exciting time in education, it can also be  trying one as new sources of distraction are available to students. With the rise of the mobile classroom, I imagine more and more teachers will move to the back and play more of a "man behind the curtain" role in the classroom. How else are we going to make sure that all of our students are on task in the classroom if instruction stays at the front of the class like is the norm. Overall, though, I believe that the new technological innovations in the classroom can be a great thing for students and teachers alike. Students will take a greater amount of accountability in their learning than any previous generation and teachers will have more resources at their fingertips than the educators that came before them.

     

http://www.teachercast.net/2016-and-beyond-the-future-of-classroom-technology-by/

Should Elementary Students Have 1:1?

The article that I found is called "Pros and Cons: Is Elementary Too Early For 1:1 Technology?" This article talked about the pros and cons of technology in elementary classrooms. One of the pros to 1:1 technology in elementary is students get a more individualized education. One of the cons to 1:1 is students won't use paper books as often, so many students don't know how to hold or use paper books. Personally technology is going to become more and more popular in classrooms, so as teachers we should start incorporating it as soon as possible. It is important for teachers to realize that technology is a tool, and should not be used all the time in school.


http://gettingsmart.com/2012/01/pros-cons-is-elementary-too-early-for-11-technology/

Bill Gates explains Why Classroom Technology Is Failing Students And Teachers

http://qz.com/634289/bill-gates-explains-why-classroom-technology-is-failing-students-and-teachers/

Bill Gates explains Why Classroom Technology Is Failing Students And Teachers.

By: Amy X. Wang

In this article Bill Gates is posted a question on Reddit to the effect that although technology has improved it seems as though K-12 education has remained the same; how should schools adapt with technology to meet the needs of future? Bill Gates response was seemingly well thought and developed explaining that technology has been helpful to students who don't struggle with traditional learning. Gates claims that the modern teacher is not often told what they do well. Gates explains that many new cutting edge gadgets (Ipads) can be helpful but are often misunderstood how to be implemented. Gates states that effective use of technology should be personalized towards the student engaging for the struggling learners. Gates goes further stating, “If they don’t feel the material is relevant or they don’t have a sense of their own ability they can check out too easily.” Gates although a rich silicon valley tycoon is seemingly very cognizant of the state and pitfalls of education. I think that all educators need to go out of their way to show students that the material is relevant and useful in real life. Technology should be personalized to engage all learners!

How Slang Affects Students in the Classroom

This article discusses how this new technology era is taking over student's language. It discusses how due to texting, twitting and face booking- students use a lot of slang to communicate. This has become an issue since a lot of these students don't seem to know how to write a proper sentence. The article discusses that a lot of college admission offices have seen a big difference in the writing samples they receive. With all of this technology being used so frequently, it has become very easy for slang to be the only way they know how to communicate online. What is worse, sometimes people are actually speaking with all these abbreviations as part of their daily speech. I think this is very important to teach our students, we need to teach them that just like anything there is a time and a place for everything. There is a time and a place to use slang and abbreviations such as "idk, btw" when they are texting their friends. However, when it is time to be serious and professional they must be able to write well written papers to show their vocabulary.

http://www.usnews.com/education/high-schools/articles/2011/06/13/how-slang-affects-students-in-the-classroom?page=2

School Technology Support is "Horrible"

According to Hernando County schools superintendent Lori Romano, the support for technology is "horrible."  When initially seeing the headline of the article, I was intrigued that someone would think technology in a classroom is a bad idea.

After reading the article, I was glad I stumbled across it.  It gives a great example of a school that has bought into the idea of technology in the classroom, but they don't have enough money to buy good enough technology that works.

If a school system is going to invest in technology, it must make sure to test equipment, receive advising, and run through a pilot program before making a giant purchase that will influence the future of the community's youth education.

Although it's a little dramatic the reporter focuses on one quote about computers smoking when they are turned on, it paints a picture of technology being a waste of time if the proper funds aren't able to buy workable technology in the classroom.  A classroom would ultimately be better off without the technology.

If I were Romano, I would push the state legislature and/or the school community for more public education funding.  If technology is not current in a classroom, a group of young people will fall way behind in their education.

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/gradebook/floridas-support-for-school-technology-is-horrible-hernando-superintendent/2270309