Emerging Technologies

The first emerging technology that I discovered was the Global Virtual Classroom. This is a project that has a collection of free, on line educational activities and resources for open classroom purposes. This emerging technology allows classroom teachers to integrate technology into the classroom by linking different cultures around the world through the computer. The Global Virtual Classroom also allows the classroom to be a part of an “information superhighway,” which can provide the students the opportunity to develop three essential skills: cross-cultural communication, collaboration, and computer skills (http://www.virtualclassroom.org/).

The emerging technology, Global Virtual Classroom, can ultimately impact my teaching and preparation in some shape or form. As a teacher, I will be very accepting to many differences in culture, so whatever my preparation style is, I will just have to be open-minded for all of the different cultures. I will also have to monitor what the internet provides my classroom before we enter onto this “information superhighway.” I can also use this resource to get different views on classroom projects, so by using this emerging technology I can broaden my resources and my knowledge of technology projects. Using the Global Virtual Classroom as a resource will only effect my teaching and preparation positively.

The emerging technology, Global Virtual Classroom, can ultimately impact my future students and how they learn, interact, and engage in classroom activities. My students will be able to think “outside of the box” and be open to new ideas and differences in cultures. This will provide a new outlook for my students, for they will be able to see that there is an entire world out there to get to know. Students will be able to interact within our classroom and outside of it, linking to different cultures in different countries. This gives my students plenty of opportunities to learn more about the world, in which the Global Virtual Classroom will benefit the well being of my students.

The second emerging technology that I discovered was from Google and it was called SketchUp. SketchUp is a software program that allows students to create 3D models to explore new concepts and ideas. This program is useful for architects because it allows them to design buildings and/or work in groups. SketchUp allows students to use this same process, where they can use the software for constructing 3D models of buildings, trees, cars, etc. You can also use SketchUp independently, with Google Earth, or with the 3D Warehouse. Teachers can also use this software to relate to subjects across the curriculum such as geography, social studies, history and industrial technology. SketchUp reinforces mathematical concepts like area and volume, so this emerging technology can broaden knowledge across the curriculum in the classroom (http://www.google.com/educators/p_sketchup.html).

As a teacher, I realized that SketchUp can impact my teaching and preparation in many ways. Since SketchUp allows for many different subjects to coincide, I will be prepared to expand the 3D project to activities across the curriculum. I will then have to be more prepared to connect technology to geography, social studies, history, math, etc. SketchUp will be a great resource to use, but I must allow more time and preparation to use it to the fullest potential across the curriculum.

SketchUp can ultimately impact my future students and how they learn, interact, and engage in classroom activities. My students will be able to create more and more 3D versions of buildings from branching off from their previous work. This allows the students to expand their thinking and go beyond the obvious. My students will also be able to interact among their peers because this can be a team project. My students will also be interested in SketchUp because it is one of those products that is fascinating to students, which easily gets kids learning while having fun at the same time. My future students will be positively effected by SketchUp and I know they would look forward to using this software.

The third emerging technology that I discovered was Picasa. Picasa is a free software download that allows you to find, edit, and share all the pictures on your PC. It has a Web Album feature that lets you upload photos from your computer to the web for sharing with others. Picasa also organizes all of your photos into files that can be easily found. You can use Picasa to make albums and a screensaver to display your photos. Picasa is a great resource to experiment with the computer in a fun and interactive way, relating to all of the students through pictures (http://www.google.com/educators/p_picasa.html).

Picasa can ultimately impact my teaching and preparation in many ways. I feel that this software will be able to create a comforting community atmosphere where pictures can share feelings. This software allows for my students to express themselves through photos, so as a teacher, I will be more lenient so my students can have fun taking pictures. I can also use this project to make a gift for my classroom. Once all of the pictures have been taken and graded, I can make a photo CD for my classroom. Also, I can let my students access this online at home, so they can share it with their parents. Taking pictures can also be related to activities across the curriculum, for students can be creative and complete lesson plans based on any subject. As a teacher, I can be creative with this software, so I will be extra prepared for this assignment and know that this project is for the happiness of my students.

Picasa can also impact my future students and how they learn, interact, and engage in classroom activities. Taking pictures will allow my students to express themselves and be creative. Picasa allows my students to work in groups and learn to use a camera and the computer. They will be able to recognize how technology works together to create fun projects. I would like my students to have fun with this project, just like our Video Project in T&L 445. I hope my students enjoy Picasa because I know I will and I will be excited to see the outcomes of the student pictures.