Emerging Technologies in the Classroom

There are many emerging technologies that can be useful in the classroom. Three of these technologies are wiki pages, skype/webcams, and aggregators. Wiki pages are a collection of pages that allow users to change, correct, and add to them. The most commonly known wiki page is Wikipedia. Webcams are video-capturing devices that are connected to computers or computer networks. Skype is a program that allows you to make phone calls, instant message, transfer files, and have video conferences. Aggregators are websites that keep track of websites specified by the user. It is one place to check all of the sites that interest you.

Below are web pages where you can access these technologies

http://pbwiki.com/
http://www.skype.com/

https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?hl=en&nui=1&service=reader&continue=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Freader%2F

All of these technologies have so many possibilities in the classroom. Wiki pages could be used as class websites, collaborative projects, or a space for students to help create a website. These pages give the teacher the opportunity expose the children to things outside the classroom. Skype and webcams could be used to facilitate conferences, interviews and collaborative projects. These technologies would make life easier for the teacher because the students would still have access to things, even if it was not possible to take a trip. It would also give the teacher face-to-face contact with parents that may not be able to make it in for conferences. Aggregators can be used to organize pages that the class uses everyday. The aggregator gives the class only one spot to check instead of browsing for each one.

All of these technologies give the classroom access to things outside of the classroom. This is going to allow students with different learning styles to thrive. The students will have a way to reinforce what they have learned through different ways. Wiki pages could be used to show the students understand a specific topic by having them get into groups and make a wiki page. Skype and webcams would enhance lessons by allowing the students access to experts and exotic places. Aggregators would allow the students and the class a way to organize their online resources. All of these technologies could be helpful to benefit student learning.