Module 6

As a leader in educational technology, what can you do to help make emerging technologies valuable to others, while maintaining gender, cultural, and socioeconomic sensitivity?

I feel that technology is very valuable in the diverse world we live in. I have recently used Skype to communicate with a class in Mexico with my first grade students. It was amazing that the first grade students enjoyed this experience. The students understood each other’s accents without a problem my students even said adios as the Mexican students laughed as they all said good-bye. Many of my students will probably never leave the state much less travel abroad so this was quite an experience for them.

Dr. Soloway advocates, “cell phones for all schools not laptops.” He feels that students put their cell phones away when they come to school and that we should be allowing their use in the classroom to benefit the students and the academic growth.
I encourage technology in my classroom. Our system is made an initiative to get away from paper and copies and use technology more. This will be interesting as many teachers are afraid of the technology or just don’t want to change their ways indicating that the old way still works for now. I am doing several workshops for teachers this summer to help them out!
Laureate Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Diversity and globalism. [DVD]. In emerging and future technology. (Available from MBS Direct Virtual Bookstore, http://www.mbsdirect.net/Index.htm)

Soloway, E. (n.d.). The digital divide: Leveling the playing field. [Podcast]. Laureate Education.
http://sylvan.live.ecollege.com/ec/crs/default.learn?CourseID=3642809&Survey=1&47=5050260&ClientNodeID=984645&coursenav=1&bhcp=1

Soloway, E. (2009). Get cell phones into schools. http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jan2009/tc20090114_741903.htm