Recognizing Differences

This is pretty exciting, http://www.apple.com/ipad/ipad-video/#medium. I’ve been following tablet computers since they debuted, watched the first ebook evolve and purchased an iTouch last year. Since I love to photograph, carrying my photos on these types of devices is a treat…to review, to share, to enjoy. I download many applications (apps) that have educational value, assistive technology functions, or are just plain fun.

What I like about this new device is the technology embedded within this sized device that helps an individual read a digital book, watch a video, or view a photo. Equally, if I browse a website that includes technologies that provide further enhancements to the reading experience–such as color highlights, background color changes, or sound–then, I truly have a useful technology that can support so many learners. This seems to far surpass the current ebook readers that are only available in black/white displays.  I look forward to a chance to review these more closely!

At the EDUCAUSE ELI 2010 conference in Austin, TX this week, the folks at New Media Consortium shared some interesting trends from their recently released 2010 Horizon Report.  As noted in their projected trends, notice some of the following across anticipated years until adoption:

One year of less: Mobile computing and Open Content. For many of us this is no surprise. Mobiles are everywhere and these authors confirm that these include cellphones, netbooks, smartbooks and other devices that offer the “form and function” of many laptops/desktops. So, we are on the go and we have access everywhere. Sounds like this will be fueled by the continued growth of wifi access and multiple applications that run on these tools.  Access to Open Content is also be an encouraging trend that supports what many educators have been doing by exploiting the power of widely available tools on the web. As these authors contend, “the notion of open content is to take advantage of the Internet as a global dissemination platform for collective knowledge and wisdom, and to design learning experiences that maximize the use of it”.

Two – Three Years: Electronic Books and  Simple Augmented Reality. This is another exciting trend. The growth of e-books has been amazing and, as such, often seems to include new functions and tools. Several upcoming announcements from major technology players indicates that we may finally see more functions in these tools such as color highlighting and background screens, enhanced multimedia functions, faster processing and even the ability to create material. Wider access to digital books will also be available.  The second trend here, simple augmented reality, offers (in my opinion) a promising opportunity for educators. As these authors note, this has been popular in many game based websites. But the opportunity here to maximize a virtual environment to teach a task, share an experience, or extend an opportunity are amazing. This will be important for those with disabilities that are confined by limits in their mobility.

Three – Four Years:  Gesture-Based Computing and Visual Data Analysis. For those of us who use data in our work, the latter of these will be quite helpful…offering opportunities to explore and share information through visual means. However, the trend in gesture-based computing supports so many opportunities for the future. Here we see the continued expansion of all those “cool” functions that make computing quick and “to the touch”. Think about how convenient access is on your iTouch with the touch of your finger. This close responsiveness to the computer by human touch or gesture interaction will continue to evolve in many applications. Again these authors note, “The distance between the user and the machine decreases and the sense of power and control increases when the machine responds to movements that feel natural.”  I see these developments as extremely empowering for many individuals who have lost their physical capabilities or range of motion.

These are exciting times for realizing the power of technology in teaching and learning.

On this eve of Martin Luther King day, it seems so fitting to share this blog post. Today I made the wise choice to see the movie “Blind Side”. As this story begin to unfold and throughout, I was reminded of why I am a passionate advocate for the importance of an educational framework such as universal design for learning. One that encourages multiple ways to teach and encourage connections to the material, multiple ways to allow individuals to demonstrate what they know, and multiple ways to engage learners.

Why I believe every student should have the good fortune of completing a comprehensive vocational evaluation or assessment. A process that encourages multiple assessment tools and approaches to help an individual uncover their strengths, abilities, and interests. One that for many, may be the first time they’ve  had a positive experience in an assessment situation.

And why many of us as educators do what we do. Here was a story about the human condition, the spirit of resolve, the power of change. Kudos to the individuals this story is developed about. The educators who took the time to notice the intelligence that resided in this young man, his strengths, his capabilities. Hats off to the family that offered him a home where he could feel safe and flourish.

A wonderful story and certainly the type of story Dr. King would have appreciated as a testament to his dream. What a wonderful story that underscores why we must strive to create educational environments where all students can learn, can display their strengths and unique gifts, can prosper towards their goals –whatever direction they make take. A must see!

This is one of my new favorite education websites. When I think about universal design for learning (UDL), I think of a framework for education. A way that we consider the environment, the tools we use, the technologies we embed, and the experiences we craft so that all learners can learn. Among the selections at this website, I think these videos provide great examples and carry the true “spirit” of the UDL message quite well.

http://www.edutopia.org/assistive-technology-albano-berberi-video

http://www.edutopia.org/key-largo-technology-brain-video

This seems like a good day to look at what the “experts” seem to be predicting as we forge ahead in this new 2010 year…

Technology Trends in K-12
http://thejournal.com/Articles/2009/12/10/5-K12-Technology-Trends-for-2010.aspx

Top Trends in Gadgets from Popular Mechanics
http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/industry/4340454.html

Top Technology Trends for Homes
http://blogs.wsj.com/developments/2009/01/22/top-10-must-have-technology-trends-for-homes/

Here’s a new read that sounds like something that I might like and something that follows the thinking around UDL, http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704541004574600492977891168.html

It is always a wonderful experience to watch learning unfold in a well-designed classroom. Information is shared in multiple ways, students are engaged, interactions are lively, enthusiasm is high, and content is absorb. For most educators, I’d say this is the experience we strive for in our classrooms. The culmination is then in the final evening, when students share their work with others. The final products and presentations share a richness in content and information that includes all the key points. Information is related in a comprehensive fashion and students relate their full command of this new knowledge.

This was the scene and experience I had the great honor of observing this past semester at Virginia Commonwealth University. My colleague, Dr. Susanne Croasdaile, chose the framework of universal design for learning to apply to her Introduction to Research Methods course.  She shared information through multiple ways–textbook, assigned readings, lecture, video clips, models, guest speakers, and a full-featured online course space in Blackboard. She gave students multiple ways to demonstrate their knowledge–discussions, individual class blog posts, written papers, reports, hands-on problem solving activities, and a final poster session depicting a research study. Finally, she engaged their learning through–varied opportunities to learn the material, choices in ways to share their knowledge, shared stories about each researcher (complete with a picture playing card), hands-on exercises to dig into the material, and varied uses of digital approaches to enrich the content.

My observations were confirmed when students noted that this was one of their favorite classes. That they completely enjoyed the instructor because she took the time and effort. This was no easy task for such a course that covers the topics of research methods. That explores the intersections and distinctions between quantitative, qualitative, and mixed research approaches. But the stories were shared with great expansion. At times I felt we knew many of the noted researchers personally. A great learning experience!

Recently a colleague and I made a presentation at the Virginia Society for Technology in Education conference on social media. Our talk entitled, “Using social media to support learner generated content” offered participants a chance to consider the growing connect and disconnect on this topic.  In our experiences, college students were typically not as engaged with many of these popular social media tools. Our review of the research and noted authors also supported these findings. Noted author Henry Jenkins offers a poignant discussion around this topic of what he terms the “participatory culture“.

Today another twist on this conversation is highlighted in the Washington Post within the article, “Lack of computer access hampers some students“. Another interesting discussion about the “digital divide” that currently exists with many across our nation. While many of us find ready access to internet connectivity at work, home and in leisure settings — such is not the case for all.

Several years ago this digital divide related to a lack of computer access for many whereas today this speaks to a different concern. Today we face a challenge where all cannot always have internet access to the range of technology resources many are afforded. And in an information rich society such as ours, this is an important concern.

As educators, this presents a challenge. For many of us, directing students to the wealth of tools and resources on the web is the right thing to do.  Teaching students how to utilize the various social media tools to acquire and manage information makes sense. Incorporating educational websites and resources adds richness to the content. In many instances this also affords those with differing learning approaches a way to actually access the content. Yet, how do we approach this perplexing issue of digital participation? Is this a time for open wifi access for all?

Last week I attended one of my favorite national conferences, the annual National Technology Innovators Conference in Washington, DC. Many wonderful presentations, national speakers, and thought provoking discussions. The opening drew from a recent NCTI Issue brief that was shared in draft format and just released, http://www.nationaltechcenter.org/index.php/2009/11/16/rpt-innovation-for-assistive-technology/. Exciting to see that universal design for learning is one of the five top trends noted in this report!

I always look forward to this conference and know that I will leave with information about future trends and emerging innovations. This was certainly no different than previous years. I was excited to hear that social media continues to be a force we must contend with and find ways to use for leveraging information.  As a tool used often by students, social media offers freely available tools that can be used to collect and share best practices in learning technologies.

The promise of technology for the future in education was also underscored in the messages delivered by newly appointed national education technology director, Karen Cator. Her mention of the importance of access and reaching all students were especially important to this attendee. I’m  excited that Dr. David Rose will be offering wisdom to the shaping of the Education Technology Plan and the importance of considering evidence based practices such as universal design for learning. Ms. Cator closed with a request asking for stories and examples that they can review as they draft this future plan. Consider sharing at https://edtechfuture.org/ Share your story!

These are exciting times for the growth and awareness of universal design for learning (UDL). As a fan of the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) on Facebook, I receive regular updates about their new research and developments. For example, this past week the following were announced:

• A new  one-page reference on great #UDL learning tools from CAST http://bit.ly/2Y1N0S
• Canada embracing #UDL. Important in a bilingual culture. http://bit.ly/4AYOa
• NEW book on policy and UDL debuts, “A Policy Reader in Universal Design for Learning”

In addition, Dr. David Rose, one of the co-founders of CAST and UDL was named to the National Education Technology Plan Working Group and will have the ability to inform an important direction about the benefits of UDL, http://bit.ly/6ln0E.

These are exciting times!