By: Sean Scarpiello
In high school and college classes, many teachers utilize student response clickers to keep their students actively engaged in class. While these clickers work well at asking students interactive questions in class, a new technology called ExitTicket looks to be a revolutionary approach towards keeping students involved in their learning process. As keeping students thinking and answering questions in class is vital to their success, ExitTicket appears promising as a no or low-cost technology that can be easily integrated into any class. Further, ExitTicket may even be more beneficial than the student response clickers used frequently in classes today.
The biggest benefit of ExitTicket is that it works completely through the Internet. As a result, schools do not need to buy expensive sets of clickers. Instead, any student with a laptop, tablet, or even a smart phone with a Wi-Fi connection can participate in interactive quizzes during class. While not all students in high school will have a device with Internet access, all college students will likely have a tablet or laptop open to them for ExitTicket. This technology is also easy to use for students. At the beginning of class, teachers can give a single class code to enable all students to gain access to ExitTicket quizzes created by the teacher. Another benefit of ExitTicket’s web based design is that it enables students to visualize, on a projector screen, who has answered the teacher’s questions in class as well as how well the class is answering the questions as a whole.
For teachers, this technology is also extremely beneficial. Tests can be made very easily and designed to have their multiple-choice, true or false, or even free response questions. Plus, ExitTicket allows teachers to review how each individual student has fared on the quizzes. Therefore, teachers can create the quizzes as credit towards class participation, or even better use the entire class’s results as a teaching aid. For example, if a decent percentage of students answer a question incorrectly, the teacher can focus on the teaching this material to the class to ensure all students understand the material. Some teachers may even find novel uses for ExitTicket. For example, teachers can take class polls using a multiple-choice type question. Also, teachers can ask students individual questions they may have using a free response to question. Here, teachers can get a quick and clear view of how students feel about class or material.
When looking at the cost of ExitTicket, there are two main options teachers can choose. First, there is a version that is completely free to teachers. This plan allows teachers to create class quizzes with a maximum of 10 questions for up to eight classes of 60 students. The second plan varies in cost depending on each teacher’s needs. However, this plan includes a lot more features including an unlimited amount of classes with an unlimited number of students. Further, there are features which allow for collaboration and synchronization with other educational technologies. Both the no-cost and customizable plans include a Common Core Standards Library to help teachers stick to their curriculum. Last, teachers can individually manage their ExitTicket account so there is no need for the schools IT department to get involved, thereby keeping this technology simple for everyone
In all, ExitTicket looks to be an extremely beneficial technology to both students and teachers. While it is simple for everyone to use, it also allows students to utilize technologies that they had, instead of requiring an expensive set clickers. Most of all, ExitTicket keeps students actively engaged in the class material while also giving teachers a clear understanding of their student’s grasp of the material. ExitTicket is sure to be a successful as it brings a high quality education to students through the utilization of technology.
Source: http://exitticket.org/
Monday, December 30, 2013
Friday, December 20, 2013
Educating Teachers in the Latest Technologies
By Sean Scarpiello
With all of the new technology being released into the market for education, it is easy to think that simply bringing these latest technologies into the classroom will make a difference. As a result, school districts often find that the technology that they spend thousands of dollars on do not return such a great bang for their buck. Therefore, some schools have become hesitant towards buying new technologies because they have fallen short of their high expectations in the classroom. While technology is extremely important in the classroom, it is vital that teachers are adequately trained to use the technologies being implemented in class.
In my experience, I have seen a lot of cutting edge technology which has consistently been proven to benefit students in different studies become a letdown in some of my own classrooms. During high school, my school district bought a handful of the newly released Promethean Smart Boards and I was fortunate enough to have one of these Smart Boards to use in class. Unfortunately, my teacher was not up to date with the new technology. As he had taught classes the same way for many years, he was more familiar with traditional forms of learning and had really avoided a lot of technology that was more advanced than Microsoft Word or PowerPoint. During class, my classmates and I tried guiding him through the instructions of how to use the Smart Board which was also an unfamiliar technology to us. Overall, we discovered that the Smart Board took too much of our valuable class time to figure out, so we resorted to returning to the technologies that we knew how to use effectively and efficiently.
In retrospect, it is obvious that had our teacher been trained in all of the uses of the Smart Board, the class would extract many more benefits from the Smart Board. In light of this, such technology placed our teacher in a difficult position because he had to address all of the needs of his students, grade homework and tests, follow the curriculum, and try to integrate this confusing technology into a short amount of class time. As there was little time in class already and the figuring out how to work the Smart Boards wasted this time, it was simply too difficult for the teacher. Therefore, the Smart Boards lost out to the other issues the teacher had to address.
However, if teachers were instructed through seminars or workshops that instruct teachers on how to use these new technologies efficiently and effectively in class, we would definitely see greater benefits in class from these technologies. Furthermore, while it may be expensive to send teachers to classes to be trained in these technologies, it is well worth it. If school districts allow for a decent percentage of their budget for new technologies to be directed towards the instruction of teachers to use these technologies, school districts can avoid experiences like the one I described above. These workshops can be scheduled to train teachers over summer breaks or additional days off during the school year and would count towards a teacher's professional development hours. Simply giving a teacher the latest cutting edge technology and asking them to implement it in class instantly is just too difficult because teachers have so many other things to address during the regular school week.
While it is often easy to spend money on the latest technology to bring it into the classroom, it is apparent that the implementation of this technology is only as good as the knowledge that the teacher has regarding such technology. Therefore, it would be wise for schools to spend more on training teachers and less on the actual technology. And while this may mean fewer classrooms are equipped with the latest and greatest technology, the classrooms that have these technologies are getting a lot of bang for their buck. This means students can receive a much higher quality of education through the efficient and effective implantation of technology in education.
Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Education/2013/12/01/Of-teachers-and-technology.aspx
With all of the new technology being released into the market for education, it is easy to think that simply bringing these latest technologies into the classroom will make a difference. As a result, school districts often find that the technology that they spend thousands of dollars on do not return such a great bang for their buck. Therefore, some schools have become hesitant towards buying new technologies because they have fallen short of their high expectations in the classroom. While technology is extremely important in the classroom, it is vital that teachers are adequately trained to use the technologies being implemented in class.
In my experience, I have seen a lot of cutting edge technology which has consistently been proven to benefit students in different studies become a letdown in some of my own classrooms. During high school, my school district bought a handful of the newly released Promethean Smart Boards and I was fortunate enough to have one of these Smart Boards to use in class. Unfortunately, my teacher was not up to date with the new technology. As he had taught classes the same way for many years, he was more familiar with traditional forms of learning and had really avoided a lot of technology that was more advanced than Microsoft Word or PowerPoint. During class, my classmates and I tried guiding him through the instructions of how to use the Smart Board which was also an unfamiliar technology to us. Overall, we discovered that the Smart Board took too much of our valuable class time to figure out, so we resorted to returning to the technologies that we knew how to use effectively and efficiently.
In retrospect, it is obvious that had our teacher been trained in all of the uses of the Smart Board, the class would extract many more benefits from the Smart Board. In light of this, such technology placed our teacher in a difficult position because he had to address all of the needs of his students, grade homework and tests, follow the curriculum, and try to integrate this confusing technology into a short amount of class time. As there was little time in class already and the figuring out how to work the Smart Boards wasted this time, it was simply too difficult for the teacher. Therefore, the Smart Boards lost out to the other issues the teacher had to address.
However, if teachers were instructed through seminars or workshops that instruct teachers on how to use these new technologies efficiently and effectively in class, we would definitely see greater benefits in class from these technologies. Furthermore, while it may be expensive to send teachers to classes to be trained in these technologies, it is well worth it. If school districts allow for a decent percentage of their budget for new technologies to be directed towards the instruction of teachers to use these technologies, school districts can avoid experiences like the one I described above. These workshops can be scheduled to train teachers over summer breaks or additional days off during the school year and would count towards a teacher's professional development hours. Simply giving a teacher the latest cutting edge technology and asking them to implement it in class instantly is just too difficult because teachers have so many other things to address during the regular school week.
While it is often easy to spend money on the latest technology to bring it into the classroom, it is apparent that the implementation of this technology is only as good as the knowledge that the teacher has regarding such technology. Therefore, it would be wise for schools to spend more on training teachers and less on the actual technology. And while this may mean fewer classrooms are equipped with the latest and greatest technology, the classrooms that have these technologies are getting a lot of bang for their buck. This means students can receive a much higher quality of education through the efficient and effective implantation of technology in education.
Source: http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Education/2013/12/01/Of-teachers-and-technology.aspx
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Amplify's New Curriculum-Based Learning Technology
By Sean Scarpiello
As traditional textbooks are quickly becoming obsolete in the classroom, tablets are quickly becoming popular as a replacement to heavy and out of date textbooks. One company looking to greatly improve education through the utilization of tablets is Amplify. In an effort to bring a higher quality of education to more students, Amplify has developed curriculum-based programs for students which revolutionizes the way technology is implemented in education. As a result, teachers are better equipped to apply new technologies in class while students benefit from the use of more interactive and individualized forms of education.
When purchasing an Amplify package, schools receive their own set of Amplify tablets to give to each student in the classroom. These Android-based tablets are equipped with a number of educational applications. For example, the tablets include graphing calculators, the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Movie Studio, YouTube, and many different Google applications such as Gmail and Google Earth. All of these applications allow for students to explore many different educational subjects on their tablets. But further, these tablets can also store full text books in the form of eBooks, as well as other interactive educational games and learning technologies. As a result, students can pack all of their textbooks, assignments, and other learning materials into just a single tablet that they can always carry around with them.
While all these educational resources packed into a single tablet are extremely beneficial to students, Amplify has just released on of its most revolutionary programs yet. In a new division called Amplify Learning, Amplify now offers programs for schools where it is possible to purchase tablets that have the entire course curriculum pre-downloaded. This means students can now learn by playing engaging games that meet the requirements of the challenging Common Core Standards that schools must meet. Consequently, teachers can now spend more time investigating and addressing the individual needs of students and less time trying to ensure the entire class meets these requirements. Software downloaded onto these tablets allows teachers to track the progress of each student, thereby enabling them to discover trends in the issues their students are facing and focus on problem areas in class.
One of the objectives of Amplify is to further individualize the education of students in the demanding fields of math and science. Therefore, by eliminating the use of broad and unclear textbooks in class and replacing them with more engaging technologies, students are less likely to give up on difficult material in these areas. Further, with the email capabilities of the Amplify tablets, students have an easy link for communicating directly with their teachers. Therefore, students can email their teachers with problems they are having which can be received and addressed immediately.
In all, as textbooks are inevitably becoming obsolete in classrooms, the Amplify Learning tablet with its many capabilities is a revolution in education for both teachers and students. With the implementation of Amplify’s curriculum based learning capabilities, it is easier than ever for teachers to focus on bringing a more individualized education to each student. This especially holds true in the subjects of math and science where a personalized approach may make or break a student’s success in challenging and sometimes confusing classes. Overall, Amplify tablets are a prudent investment to make into education as its technological basis brings a high quality of education to many students at a reasonable cost.
Sources:
http://www.amplify.com/
http://www.businessinsider.com/amplify-ceo-joel-klein-talks-digital-learning-and-education-technology-2013-11
As traditional textbooks are quickly becoming obsolete in the classroom, tablets are quickly becoming popular as a replacement to heavy and out of date textbooks. One company looking to greatly improve education through the utilization of tablets is Amplify. In an effort to bring a higher quality of education to more students, Amplify has developed curriculum-based programs for students which revolutionizes the way technology is implemented in education. As a result, teachers are better equipped to apply new technologies in class while students benefit from the use of more interactive and individualized forms of education.
When purchasing an Amplify package, schools receive their own set of Amplify tablets to give to each student in the classroom. These Android-based tablets are equipped with a number of educational applications. For example, the tablets include graphing calculators, the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, Movie Studio, YouTube, and many different Google applications such as Gmail and Google Earth. All of these applications allow for students to explore many different educational subjects on their tablets. But further, these tablets can also store full text books in the form of eBooks, as well as other interactive educational games and learning technologies. As a result, students can pack all of their textbooks, assignments, and other learning materials into just a single tablet that they can always carry around with them.
While all these educational resources packed into a single tablet are extremely beneficial to students, Amplify has just released on of its most revolutionary programs yet. In a new division called Amplify Learning, Amplify now offers programs for schools where it is possible to purchase tablets that have the entire course curriculum pre-downloaded. This means students can now learn by playing engaging games that meet the requirements of the challenging Common Core Standards that schools must meet. Consequently, teachers can now spend more time investigating and addressing the individual needs of students and less time trying to ensure the entire class meets these requirements. Software downloaded onto these tablets allows teachers to track the progress of each student, thereby enabling them to discover trends in the issues their students are facing and focus on problem areas in class.
One of the objectives of Amplify is to further individualize the education of students in the demanding fields of math and science. Therefore, by eliminating the use of broad and unclear textbooks in class and replacing them with more engaging technologies, students are less likely to give up on difficult material in these areas. Further, with the email capabilities of the Amplify tablets, students have an easy link for communicating directly with their teachers. Therefore, students can email their teachers with problems they are having which can be received and addressed immediately.
In all, as textbooks are inevitably becoming obsolete in classrooms, the Amplify Learning tablet with its many capabilities is a revolution in education for both teachers and students. With the implementation of Amplify’s curriculum based learning capabilities, it is easier than ever for teachers to focus on bringing a more individualized education to each student. This especially holds true in the subjects of math and science where a personalized approach may make or break a student’s success in challenging and sometimes confusing classes. Overall, Amplify tablets are a prudent investment to make into education as its technological basis brings a high quality of education to many students at a reasonable cost.
Sources:
http://www.amplify.com/
http://www.businessinsider.com/amplify-ceo-joel-klein-talks-digital-learning-and-education-technology-2013-11
Saturday, November 30, 2013
Innovative Ways to Grade Students in Massive Open Online Classrooms (MOOCs)
By Sean Scarpiello
As more online educational programs such as Coursera, Udacity, and others become available online, there are a lot more students enrolling in these Massive Open Online Classes (MOOCs). And while education can easily be provided at much lower prices in MOOCs, some aspects of education still remain difficult, if complicated by moving education to online media. One aspect of education where this is seen is in the grading and evaluation of students. As the number of students in a class increases, it becomes more and more difficult for teachers to grade the tests, projects, and assignments of the class. And while the class size of many of these online classes offered by Coursera and Udacity reach well into the thousands, it becomes extremely difficult for professors to evaluate each student individually.
As a result, there have been many new and innovative ways teachers have designed work to be graded on a mass scale. For one, I have seen many tests designed in such a ways that goes beyond the typical multiple choice problems. In some of my online past assignments for classes, I have seen problems asking to organize statements into a sequence of events, analyze graphs, and even fill in the blank. Through these types of online questions, teachers enable multiple correct answers to account for different interpretations of data and wording used by students. Further, I have even seen some programs that allow students to build models or solve huge math equations all by breaking up the problem into individual steps that are graded individually. As a result, students can have instant results on their grade in a test or assignment.
But while these types of online grading techniques are easy to use for professors, the evaluation of student’s knowledge using these techniques is limited. While some students could simply fill out questions as they look up the answers online, other students may not be challenged enough with a test of matching, fill-in-the-blank, and multiple choice questions. Further, there are some subjects, such as in political science, English, and business courses where grades cannot be based off of tests but rather papers or projects. In these areas, MOOCs often struggle to find ways for professors to grade a class of 1,000 papers or projects. However, some MOOCs have come up with some innovative ways of assigning and grading these sorts of assignments.
Coursera has come up with the idea of allowing peers to grade each other’s work. After turning in an assignment, Coursera sends it out to a handful of other students who have also turned in the assignment for grading. Then, based on certain criteria, it is graded by other students in the class, and then their results are averaged to give students their grade on a project. So far, this technique has worked successfully because professors can still challenge their students with projects, but continue to grade their student efficiently. This serves as just one example how the grading and evaluation of students enrolled in MOOCs can be innovative and successful.
As MOOCs and other types of similar programs are developed, this sort of innovation needs to be implemented into other programs. Therefore, students are not forfeiting quality of education at the expense of difficulties in grading. In this case, MOOCs can continue to provide high quality education to more students at reduced cost through the utilization of technology.
As more online educational programs such as Coursera, Udacity, and others become available online, there are a lot more students enrolling in these Massive Open Online Classes (MOOCs). And while education can easily be provided at much lower prices in MOOCs, some aspects of education still remain difficult, if complicated by moving education to online media. One aspect of education where this is seen is in the grading and evaluation of students. As the number of students in a class increases, it becomes more and more difficult for teachers to grade the tests, projects, and assignments of the class. And while the class size of many of these online classes offered by Coursera and Udacity reach well into the thousands, it becomes extremely difficult for professors to evaluate each student individually.
As a result, there have been many new and innovative ways teachers have designed work to be graded on a mass scale. For one, I have seen many tests designed in such a ways that goes beyond the typical multiple choice problems. In some of my online past assignments for classes, I have seen problems asking to organize statements into a sequence of events, analyze graphs, and even fill in the blank. Through these types of online questions, teachers enable multiple correct answers to account for different interpretations of data and wording used by students. Further, I have even seen some programs that allow students to build models or solve huge math equations all by breaking up the problem into individual steps that are graded individually. As a result, students can have instant results on their grade in a test or assignment.
But while these types of online grading techniques are easy to use for professors, the evaluation of student’s knowledge using these techniques is limited. While some students could simply fill out questions as they look up the answers online, other students may not be challenged enough with a test of matching, fill-in-the-blank, and multiple choice questions. Further, there are some subjects, such as in political science, English, and business courses where grades cannot be based off of tests but rather papers or projects. In these areas, MOOCs often struggle to find ways for professors to grade a class of 1,000 papers or projects. However, some MOOCs have come up with some innovative ways of assigning and grading these sorts of assignments.
Coursera has come up with the idea of allowing peers to grade each other’s work. After turning in an assignment, Coursera sends it out to a handful of other students who have also turned in the assignment for grading. Then, based on certain criteria, it is graded by other students in the class, and then their results are averaged to give students their grade on a project. So far, this technique has worked successfully because professors can still challenge their students with projects, but continue to grade their student efficiently. This serves as just one example how the grading and evaluation of students enrolled in MOOCs can be innovative and successful.
As MOOCs and other types of similar programs are developed, this sort of innovation needs to be implemented into other programs. Therefore, students are not forfeiting quality of education at the expense of difficulties in grading. In this case, MOOCs can continue to provide high quality education to more students at reduced cost through the utilization of technology.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
3-D Printing Made Easy by MakerBot Academy
By Sean Scarpiello
Recently, MakerBot and America Makes have joined forces to bring new 3-D printers to a handful of different public schools in a program called MakerBot Academy. Along with a 3-D printer, schools are given the plastic needed to print 3-D models and free access to the Thingiverse Community where students can download files for different models. But what exactly are 3-D printers, and what good can public school students do with this technology?
Until now, 3-D printers have been exclusive to industrial efforts and scientists in the fields of engineering, physics, and medicine. This is because 3-D printers allow scientists to slowly add layer upon layer of different media on to 3-dimensional models, sculptures, or tools. Using different plastic media, scientists can build, dissolve or create flexible objects and even build parts out of metal alloys. So far, 3-D printing has been used to make parts for industrial machinery, firearms, and even artificial hearts. With this is mind, 3-D printers appear to be pretty difficult, as it must take a lot of knowledge of different software to successfully design and create different 3-D objects to print.
While designing complex objects using 3-D printing software isn't easy, it is still possible for students to learn how to develop a basic understanding of designing simple models. Despite some difficulties, students do not need to be experts on the design software to print out 3-D objects. In fact, the free Thingiverse website offers more than 100,000 different objects that can be downloaded and printed easily be students. On this site, students can pick and choose to print out anything from LEGO block sets and puzzles to scaled models of buildings and art. Also, many people who are well versed in how to use 3-D printing software have posted the data necessary to print some creative objects with real word applications. For example, there are downloadable plans to print your own iPhone case, watch, bottles, and even a top for an aluminum soda can. With all of these cool objects and more, student can print out models for different classes. Models of DNA or the heart can be printed for science class, while models of jewelry or miniature sculptures can be made for art classes.
Further, schools could begin teaching students how to use the software. The goal of MakerBot Academy is to teach students how to use these technologies. 3-D printing really is the future so if students can begin to learn how to use this software early on, we can expect huge advancement in society utilizing 3-D printing. Students learning the software in high schools now may go on to develop intricate parts of tomorrow’s spacecrafts or transplant-able organs. Therefore, getting an early start on understanding the software is vital for success in the future.
In all, by donating 3-D printers to public schools as part of MakerBot Academy, MakerBot and America Makes are stimulating young minds to enter the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. Also, 3-D printing allows students with all different types of interests to print 3-D models for a variety of classes. Best of all, MakerBot Academy is allowing students to learn this new software at low costs as they integrate more technology into the classroom.
Sources:
http://www.makerbot.com/academy/
http://www.thingiverse.com/
Recently, MakerBot and America Makes have joined forces to bring new 3-D printers to a handful of different public schools in a program called MakerBot Academy. Along with a 3-D printer, schools are given the plastic needed to print 3-D models and free access to the Thingiverse Community where students can download files for different models. But what exactly are 3-D printers, and what good can public school students do with this technology?
Until now, 3-D printers have been exclusive to industrial efforts and scientists in the fields of engineering, physics, and medicine. This is because 3-D printers allow scientists to slowly add layer upon layer of different media on to 3-dimensional models, sculptures, or tools. Using different plastic media, scientists can build, dissolve or create flexible objects and even build parts out of metal alloys. So far, 3-D printing has been used to make parts for industrial machinery, firearms, and even artificial hearts. With this is mind, 3-D printers appear to be pretty difficult, as it must take a lot of knowledge of different software to successfully design and create different 3-D objects to print.
While designing complex objects using 3-D printing software isn't easy, it is still possible for students to learn how to develop a basic understanding of designing simple models. Despite some difficulties, students do not need to be experts on the design software to print out 3-D objects. In fact, the free Thingiverse website offers more than 100,000 different objects that can be downloaded and printed easily be students. On this site, students can pick and choose to print out anything from LEGO block sets and puzzles to scaled models of buildings and art. Also, many people who are well versed in how to use 3-D printing software have posted the data necessary to print some creative objects with real word applications. For example, there are downloadable plans to print your own iPhone case, watch, bottles, and even a top for an aluminum soda can. With all of these cool objects and more, student can print out models for different classes. Models of DNA or the heart can be printed for science class, while models of jewelry or miniature sculptures can be made for art classes.
Further, schools could begin teaching students how to use the software. The goal of MakerBot Academy is to teach students how to use these technologies. 3-D printing really is the future so if students can begin to learn how to use this software early on, we can expect huge advancement in society utilizing 3-D printing. Students learning the software in high schools now may go on to develop intricate parts of tomorrow’s spacecrafts or transplant-able organs. Therefore, getting an early start on understanding the software is vital for success in the future.
In all, by donating 3-D printers to public schools as part of MakerBot Academy, MakerBot and America Makes are stimulating young minds to enter the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. Also, 3-D printing allows students with all different types of interests to print 3-D models for a variety of classes. Best of all, MakerBot Academy is allowing students to learn this new software at low costs as they integrate more technology into the classroom.
Sources:
http://www.makerbot.com/academy/
http://www.thingiverse.com/
Sunday, November 10, 2013
How Evernote is Revolutionizing Note-Taking
By Sean Scarpiello
As more and more educational apps are being put on the market today, none of them work quite like Evernote. This new educational based app is revolutionizing the way students are able to take notes in class. While this new app has fantastic applications outside of the classroom, Evernote truly shines in the classroom. The education app is available to students on all different devices, such as cell phones, tablets, and laptops for Windows, Mac or Android. Currently, Evernote is a free app, but users can pay to receive more memory for their data.
Evernote is so perfect for classrooms because of its ability to keep students and teachers organized. While the app has many great utilities, the coolest function is Evernote’s ability to easily archive notes. For instance, if a student can takes a photo of their notes and uploads it to Evernote, the app will translate the written text as if it were typed into a computer. Later on, students can simply run searches in Evernote for specific key terms which Evernote will highlight for students. This allows students to easily find and review specific parts of their notes relating to certain topics. As these notes are available on their phone, tablet, or laptop, students will always have a full copy of their notes for classes handy. This same function of Evernote does not need to be limited to class notes. Students can even take pictures of textbook passages, figures, graphs, homework assignments, and even confusing math problems worked out on a blackboard. Evernote can then organize all of this data in an easily accessible way. Along with this, Evernote can allow students to save scanned data on their accounts. Essentially, students can scan a worksheet for class, complete it on any of their devices and then email to their teacher, all through Evernote. This allows students to not only easily complete and turn in their homework, but also save a copy for themselves if there is a problem that they have later on or when studying for a test.
Another great benefit of Evernote is its ability to make research easier. By adding a free Google Chrome extension to the Evernote app, students can save entire webpages or parts of articles and pictures. They are then able to add other information about the “web clipping” and store it where it can easily be accessed. Students can even save the URLs of a webpage so they can return to it later. Through this, any sort of research project can easily be done on phones or tablets, then later pulled up on the computer. In fact, by using a web browser such as Google or Bing, students can pull up their saved “web clippings” from their Evernote account while searching the internet for related topics. Then, once this data is saved, students can effortlessly share all of their research with classmates or teachers.
In all, Evernote is an easy to use app that can keep even the most disorganized students in order. By utilizing its features that allow students to scan and store class notes, figures, websites, pictures, “web clippings,” and more, students can easily access all of their class material on any of their devices. This benefits students immensely as they can easily find the material that they are having trouble with in class and contact their teachers about these problems through this free app. Evernote’s share functions also allow students to share their work with classmates or turn in their assignments to their teachers instantly. Overall, Evernote is great because it is a no cost educational technology that helps students and teachers in and out of the classroom.
As more and more educational apps are being put on the market today, none of them work quite like Evernote. This new educational based app is revolutionizing the way students are able to take notes in class. While this new app has fantastic applications outside of the classroom, Evernote truly shines in the classroom. The education app is available to students on all different devices, such as cell phones, tablets, and laptops for Windows, Mac or Android. Currently, Evernote is a free app, but users can pay to receive more memory for their data.
Evernote is so perfect for classrooms because of its ability to keep students and teachers organized. While the app has many great utilities, the coolest function is Evernote’s ability to easily archive notes. For instance, if a student can takes a photo of their notes and uploads it to Evernote, the app will translate the written text as if it were typed into a computer. Later on, students can simply run searches in Evernote for specific key terms which Evernote will highlight for students. This allows students to easily find and review specific parts of their notes relating to certain topics. As these notes are available on their phone, tablet, or laptop, students will always have a full copy of their notes for classes handy. This same function of Evernote does not need to be limited to class notes. Students can even take pictures of textbook passages, figures, graphs, homework assignments, and even confusing math problems worked out on a blackboard. Evernote can then organize all of this data in an easily accessible way. Along with this, Evernote can allow students to save scanned data on their accounts. Essentially, students can scan a worksheet for class, complete it on any of their devices and then email to their teacher, all through Evernote. This allows students to not only easily complete and turn in their homework, but also save a copy for themselves if there is a problem that they have later on or when studying for a test.
Another great benefit of Evernote is its ability to make research easier. By adding a free Google Chrome extension to the Evernote app, students can save entire webpages or parts of articles and pictures. They are then able to add other information about the “web clipping” and store it where it can easily be accessed. Students can even save the URLs of a webpage so they can return to it later. Through this, any sort of research project can easily be done on phones or tablets, then later pulled up on the computer. In fact, by using a web browser such as Google or Bing, students can pull up their saved “web clippings” from their Evernote account while searching the internet for related topics. Then, once this data is saved, students can effortlessly share all of their research with classmates or teachers.
In all, Evernote is an easy to use app that can keep even the most disorganized students in order. By utilizing its features that allow students to scan and store class notes, figures, websites, pictures, “web clippings,” and more, students can easily access all of their class material on any of their devices. This benefits students immensely as they can easily find the material that they are having trouble with in class and contact their teachers about these problems through this free app. Evernote’s share functions also allow students to share their work with classmates or turn in their assignments to their teachers instantly. Overall, Evernote is great because it is a no cost educational technology that helps students and teachers in and out of the classroom.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Paper: One of Today's Educational Resources Becoming Obsolete
By Sean Scarpiello
When looking back onto the changes that have occurred in the last decade years in education, it is amazing to see how many of the educational tools used in classes just ten years ago have become completely obsolete. Just thinking back to my elementary education years, we had very basic computer programs like the pixelated Oregon Trail game and the creative software Kid Pix. If you told any student, teacher, or education professional back then that within the next ten to fifteen years that schools would distribute iPads, computers, and individual email addresses to each of their students, no one would believe you. Technology moves at an extremely rapid pace, and while the field of education often struggles to keep up with the latest gadgets, it makes me wonder about many of the today’s different educational resources that will be obsolete in the next fifteen years to come.
It is very difficult to predict what exactly will be outdated in education, simply because technology is moving so fast. However, one of today’s most common educational resources that has been used for decades in the classroom that I see becoming obsolete in the upcoming year is paper. With the today’s heavy integration of technology in education, many educational institutions already have the ability to go completely paperless. In fact, if my college wanted to go completely paperless in classes by tomorrow, it would really not be a problem at all. Reports can all be submitted via email or other online software, while tests and homework can be distributed and completed over the internet. My school even has the ability to send financial and billing information to all of its students and employees through web adviser software. This can even hold true in elementary level education too. Email addresses through companies such as Google, Hotmail, Yahoo, and others are essentially free to everyone. Therefore, essentially every student with a family computer and internet connection can “plug in” to class and complete coursework through technology. There are even schools that give their students their own email addresses for school. Less than four years ago, when I was in high school, we did not even have our own school based emails. Ten years ago, I hardly if ever sent out an email. Now, there are middle school students who send out multiple emails daily.
Looking beyond the idea that only worksheets, homework, and tests in schools will go paperless in the upcoming years, we can also expect textbooks to go paperless as well. Every day, companies are bringing digital memory to us at lower and lower costs. This, along with the increase in technology in education will inevitably lead us to a textbook free classroom. Students will eventually be able to simply log into their iPad or laptop and pull up thousands of pages of textbooks in the form of eBooks. In the long run, this will definitely save schools money, as they can purchase eBooks for lower prices and even rent eBooks for a limited amount of time at even lower costs. Further, schools will not have to pay to replace large sets of worn-out textbooks every few years.
While going paperless in the upcoming years in the field of education is just one of the many major changes we will see, there will definitely be a lot more of today’s educational resources simply becoming obsolete as technology advances. As these changes come about, I am sure that they will come with a lot of benefits for both schools and their students. Schools will be able to save money in many different areas, while students will receive a much more individualized and fun form of education through technology. Overall, this leads us to a field of education where more students can receive a higher quality of education at lower costs, all through the integration of technology.
When looking back onto the changes that have occurred in the last decade years in education, it is amazing to see how many of the educational tools used in classes just ten years ago have become completely obsolete. Just thinking back to my elementary education years, we had very basic computer programs like the pixelated Oregon Trail game and the creative software Kid Pix. If you told any student, teacher, or education professional back then that within the next ten to fifteen years that schools would distribute iPads, computers, and individual email addresses to each of their students, no one would believe you. Technology moves at an extremely rapid pace, and while the field of education often struggles to keep up with the latest gadgets, it makes me wonder about many of the today’s different educational resources that will be obsolete in the next fifteen years to come.
It is very difficult to predict what exactly will be outdated in education, simply because technology is moving so fast. However, one of today’s most common educational resources that has been used for decades in the classroom that I see becoming obsolete in the upcoming year is paper. With the today’s heavy integration of technology in education, many educational institutions already have the ability to go completely paperless. In fact, if my college wanted to go completely paperless in classes by tomorrow, it would really not be a problem at all. Reports can all be submitted via email or other online software, while tests and homework can be distributed and completed over the internet. My school even has the ability to send financial and billing information to all of its students and employees through web adviser software. This can even hold true in elementary level education too. Email addresses through companies such as Google, Hotmail, Yahoo, and others are essentially free to everyone. Therefore, essentially every student with a family computer and internet connection can “plug in” to class and complete coursework through technology. There are even schools that give their students their own email addresses for school. Less than four years ago, when I was in high school, we did not even have our own school based emails. Ten years ago, I hardly if ever sent out an email. Now, there are middle school students who send out multiple emails daily.
Looking beyond the idea that only worksheets, homework, and tests in schools will go paperless in the upcoming years, we can also expect textbooks to go paperless as well. Every day, companies are bringing digital memory to us at lower and lower costs. This, along with the increase in technology in education will inevitably lead us to a textbook free classroom. Students will eventually be able to simply log into their iPad or laptop and pull up thousands of pages of textbooks in the form of eBooks. In the long run, this will definitely save schools money, as they can purchase eBooks for lower prices and even rent eBooks for a limited amount of time at even lower costs. Further, schools will not have to pay to replace large sets of worn-out textbooks every few years.
While going paperless in the upcoming years in the field of education is just one of the many major changes we will see, there will definitely be a lot more of today’s educational resources simply becoming obsolete as technology advances. As these changes come about, I am sure that they will come with a lot of benefits for both schools and their students. Schools will be able to save money in many different areas, while students will receive a much more individualized and fun form of education through technology. Overall, this leads us to a field of education where more students can receive a higher quality of education at lower costs, all through the integration of technology.
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