EDUC 6177 WEEK 1 Discussion

      The  two emerging technologies I chose were GAME-BASED LEARNING and ELECTRONIC BOOKS. These two technologies are changing the ways we learn, process information, and apply learning to our everyday lives.

GAME-BASED LEARNING

       Game-based learning is simply a fun interactive way to learn. As you know, Video games have been a part of our culture since the emergence of the Atari. Gathered from The Horizon Report: 2011 edition,  research shows that students who engage in learning games connect with learning material, and in doing so, it assists them in achieving personal meaningful goals (Horizon,2011). There are many  games currently available where gamers can log-in from their computers and interact with other game players from all over the world. For example, there is a category of games referred to as massive multiplayer online (MMO) and role-playing games that connect millions of gamers all over the world. These rely heavily on interaction with other gamers to complete a strategy or goal. These games can be played independently or interdependently. With this being said, can you imagine if a game was offered where students had to collaborate together to achieve a group work assignment? The possibilities are endless.

ELECTRONIC BOOKS

       Electronic books are virtual books are beginning to take the place of textbooks in most educational settings. As I have mentioned before, I much rather hold a physical book and look at one online. Although, electronic books do have their advantages. When you have an electronic book you can see pictures with perfect clarity and even interact with a game or puzzle specifically designed for that passage. Electronic books can demonstrate capabilities that challenge the very definition of reading (Horizon,2011). And of course, electronic books save trees for those of us that care about the environment.

      With the emergence of the tablet; iPads, Galaxy Tabs, Kindle's, etc. I would not be surprised that if in the next few years educational systems complete the transition to electronic books as the sole source for course required textbooks. Standards for electronic publications are currently in development and as media morphs into digital forms, the publishing industry will undergo a shift that is similar to the one the music industry had to go through when songs could be uploaded online (Horizon,2011). The legality of electronic books is the primary focus now and will continue to be in till a foundational standard is set within the industry. Once the rule of law is established for electronic media, I see more trees on the planet.

INCORPORATION OF TECHNOLOGY

       Both of these technologies I have already incorporated into my learning environment. I find that using game-based learning has had amazing results in my current educational setting. One might think that using a video game to teach ESL might be juvenile for some older parties. I have found that the older students have just as much fun and reap the benefits of game-based learning. In respect to electronic books, everyone I work with has a company provided Galaxy Tab. They each have the Kindle application and have downloaded free books offered by Kindle that I use for my higher-level English-speaking students here in South Korea. Both of these emerging technologies have proved to be beneficial in my current working and learning environment.

References

The New Media Consortium, & EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative. (2011). The horizon report: 2011 edition. Retrieved fromhttp://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/HR2011.pdf