Last week in my report about technologies that are impacting K12, we learned The Horizon Report highlighted 6 technologies that are rising to the surface in K12. The report discussed them in detail and included suggested time lines for implementation.
With a two to three year time-to-adopt, come Mobiles and Cloud Computing. A mobile is any type of multimedia device that travels easily and has internet access. While continually evolving the most recent rush to the market are hand held, touch screens with unlimited applications encompassing everything from measuring, games, checklists, reading, and social networking just to name a few. One application even turns the iPhone into a flute. The question isn't when to incorporate these devices into the classroom but how. Isn't having information at our fingertips something we want for our children? The new touch technology translates that concept literally.
A key to successful implementation of mobiles will include a shift in training. Educators won't need to train students on how to use the device but rather how to manage the information overload. Discerning the good, bad, and ugly will be an art defined by the user's ability to narrow down what is really important. In wading through the water, a new learning experience will emerge--promoting life skills such as prioritizing and time management.
Cloud computing is a relatively new term which is a style of computing that allows for various infrastructure resources to available over the internet as services. The concept incorporates infrastructure as a service (IaaS), platform as a service (PaaS) and software as a service (SaaS) in addition to other technology trends that have the common theme of reliance on the Internet for satisfying the computing needs of the users. Cloud computing is an economical choice for schools since this can alleviate the need to purchase costly hardware. Jumping on the cloud will help schools have access to reliable services that are affordable.
What do you think about these two technology trends? Does your long term plan include using mobile devices or cloud computing? What are the challenges you envision associated with these technologies? Join in next week as we discuss the final two emerging technologies impacting K12.
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