Ron,
Thank you for sharing, I also find Pinterest extremely helpful. I urge students to create boards in typography and motion graphics courses, collecting inspirational and well executed color and font combinations for future reference. Pinterest has been a great tech-based replacement for the "inspiration books" I used to assign in design-based courses.
Wishing you continued success in the classroom.
Theresa Schmitt
I have a long way to go. Since I discovered free technology for educational purposes, I am now introducing this into my lecture and homework in an effort to reach the Gen Y students.
Recently, I assigned a project to create a power point slide with pictures and video. This was a success and now students can use the knowledge to put some sizzle in their own presentations.
I DO INDEPENDENT RESEARCH ON ALL NEW TECHNOLOGIES AS WELL AS DISCUSS WITH STUDENTS ANY NEW MEDIA THEY ARE USING...PAUL T. ROUGEMONT
I have the same experience. My kids are more savvy than I am on social media. Yet Dad still has some fundamental skills on basic MS Office products ioncluding some Powerpoint features, business tools on Excel, and some basic networking and command prompts. I also find that even the kids are migrating swiftly between tools and platforms. On top of everytihng is the IT pilicy at our institution. So I dabble but I try to let the marketplace sort out what tech appears to have "legs" beofre I seek permissions to adopt any new tech.
As an educator I have researched the latest technologies and integrated them into my presentations. This has been very effective in generating learner discussion and practical application of the knowledge. I highly recommend this.
I read constantly about emerging technologies that relate to the educational field. I also attend as many free seminars in my area as I can to keep up with what is being offered by technology companies.
Lee,
Thank you for sharing. Are the seminars you attend required for professional development, and are you required to submit documentation verifying attendance?
Wishing you continued success in the classroom.
Theresa Schmitt
Having the internet is like having a library at your fingertips.
It's a wonderful source of information and I'm constantly looking up information and ideas related to the courses I teach.
Dave Back
Exton, PA
I attend professional meetings in my area, read trade magazines, attend conferences and network with my peers. I stay up to date on software through certification courses and online training modules.
As an Information Technology instructor, I have to be abreast of technology because much of it is part of the curriculum. Today, technology and social media are a part of a student's lifestyle.
what has worked and continue to work for me is to sign up for various education technology forum, publishers' e-mail alerts for new learning and teaching technology tools, searching for news group under LMS systems, etc. In addition, staying abreast the latest by collaborating with colleagues in the field and sharing information has been also very helpful. Technology companies also provide various free seminars and forums that are equally helpful. combination of all these resources has proven in the past to keep me abreast of new technologies in educational industry.
My students are adult learners with varying computer skills. Doing research/assignments in small groups allows great interaction. They all have cellphones which i encourage them to use as calculators and for "Googling" topics that arise in class. They get instant feedback or visuals and share interesting links. Lectures include PowerPoint and students are allowed to email/text questions to me at any time when they're studying. Ive found this helps them get comfortable with technology and they don't hide or sneak using cellphones in class. They have fun trying to see who can get the data first!
For specific software/ technique updates I like to use the VTR courses from lynda.com or Digital Tutors. If you can make it to professional trade shows in your field then that helps guide you to general topics and trends.
I have tried to stay abreast of emerging technologies by searching new information via the internet, participating in tech savvy blogs/forums, watching pertinent Youtube videos, and attending conventions when they roll into town. Additionally, touching base with adjunct instructors working in the field provides a good source of changes in technology and trends.
Theresa,
I agree. Webinars can really provide an instructor with "a ton of relevant material" that ine can put to immediate use in the classroom. Besides Cengage Leanring, what other webinars do you frequent? Scientific Learning (http://www.scilearn.com/events/webinars/) and ASCD (http://www.ascd.org/professional-development/webinars.aspx) have some good ones!
I would agree with you.Keeping up with technology is a constant task for me,I would say 10 to 20% of my students need help catching up with technology, as one of my older students put it to me " I don't care how it does it, I just need to know what it does"
B.,
Fantastic examples, thank you for sharing!
Theresa Schmitt
James,
Thank you for sharing! Besides Cengage webinars, I often participate in seminars conducted through Avid (ProTools and Media Composer), which offer training on new software releases/features and often highlight respected professionals in the field.
Wishing you continued success in the classroom.
Theresa Schmitt
I feel that it is more difficult to not stay on top of things coming out now. Between tv and internet advertising you almost have to go out of your way to miss some of this stuff. I feel it is in a large way our responsibility as educators to stay up on emerging technology in that our students will be responsible for knowing and using most of this technology in the near future and it is a diservice to them to simply ignore all that is out there.
