I am really interested in the use of ICT in everyday life and how that affects society, culture and how the ICT experiences children have outside of school need to be appreciated and built upon in school.
I have used quotes in training in the last year along the lines of the speed of change is increasing….. and I have really observed this over the last few months. It seems like we are at a point where the technology in our homes is converging, blanket broadband is almost upon us, and the new range of 1:1 access devices for each pupil to access their learning platform are selling like hot cakes.
Converging Technology
The way I use technology is changing and I am sure this is the same for many of us. I can’t afford all the latest gadgets but I now catch up with episodes of Corrie where ever I am in the house, using my laptop on a wireless network and the ITV version of the iplayer. On demand TV is changing when and where people watch TV. It can’t be long before TV’s are large flat screen computers. Maybe the time where millions of people all watch the same programme at the same time is purely for a large ‘world cup’ type of sporting event.
I have recently begun using Skype to keep in contact with family.
My 4 year old can see and talk and show things to her cousins up north. The ability to make free phone calls anywhere in the world via such programs is quite amazing. Is the landline defunct? Some people have got rid of their landline completely.
Blanket Broadband
I had thought at one time that we would have citywide wireless clouds which would enable blanket broadband technology, however it seems 3G is the more likely solution. Whenever I go to meetings where ICT people/ suppliers are gathered they all have their 3G dongles hanging from their PC’s enabling them to access the internet wherever there is a 3G phone connection which is
widespread. At a course recently someone told me of how they had broken down in the middle of no where. They had their mobile but no phone number for the Green Flag. All they had to do was launch their laptop which they had in the car and 3G connection to locate the number.
At the annual Naace conference last week a speaker David Warlick recounted how in America he often has people pointing the screen of their laptops at him. Video capturing/ broadcasting his talk via their built in webcams to colleagues/ students that were unable to attend. This has huge potential in education. For example supporting inclusion for those unable to attend through short term illness, by watching the lesson at a later date of for immediate viewing via skype etc… You could even access lessons you were unable to attend because the course doesn’t run in that institution, broadening the access to the curriculum. There are also possibilities for revision and a Secondary Science colleague Rob Sidaway is exploring this area, running revision classes across several schools.
New products incorporating this technology include a solution for homes without broadband for the computers for pupils initiative that here is B&NES we haven’t qualified for funding for. A 3G connection via a walled garden supplied by Stelgies in partnership with Vodaphone. Another interesting invention is a 3G connection shared via a router and powered via a battery pack for a mobile wireless network for field trips. This could power handheld technology in the field.
1:1 Access Devices
There are many devices on the market. Many are designed for industry and modified in some way for education. There is a new player in the market place and their sales have shot through the roof. It is the ASUS Eeepc sometimes called the ASUS minibook. This is a device that sits somewhere between a mobile phone and a laptop, a 1:1 access device to the internet and to the learning platform at an affordable price. The price is £169 for a Linux version. RM are a reseller as well as other companies. We will be shortly getting one on loan at the LA but companies such as Go Education will give schools a 21 day evaluation, and I think they are well worth a look. They will not replace laptop or desktop computers as they have limited memory, however this could be perfect for access to the internet as a tool, and access to the learning platform.
Our common learning platform solution ‘SWGFL Merlin’ will be piloted from May, early adopters in August and officially launched in September see the SWGFL website for more details. A learning platform will only work successfully if children have regular access to it. The ASUS minibook could be an option to consider.
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Increasing use of Technology in the home.
March 9, 2008I have used quotes in training in the last year along the lines of the speed of change is increasing….. and I have really observed this over the last few months. It seems like we are at a point where the technology in our homes is converging, blanket broadband is almost upon us, and the new range of 1:1 access devices for each pupil to access their learning platform are selling like hot cakes.
Converging Technology
The way I use technology is changing and I am sure this is the same for many of us. I can’t afford all the latest gadgets but I now catch up with episodes of Corrie where ever I am in the house, using my laptop on a wireless network and the ITV version of the iplayer. On demand TV is changing when and where people watch TV. It can’t be long before TV’s are large flat screen computers. Maybe the time where millions of people all watch the same programme at the same time is purely for a large ‘world cup’ type of sporting event.
I have recently begun using Skype to keep in contact with family.
My 4 year old can see and talk and show things to her cousins up north. The ability to make free phone calls anywhere in the world via such programs is quite amazing. Is the landline defunct? Some people have got rid of their landline completely.
Blanket Broadband
I had thought at one time that we would have citywide wireless clouds which would enable blanket broadband technology, however it seems 3G is the more likely solution. Whenever I go to meetings where ICT people/ suppliers are gathered they all have their 3G dongles hanging from their PC’s enabling them to access the internet wherever there is a 3G phone connection which is
widespread. At a course recently someone told me of how they had broken down in the middle of no where. They had their mobile but no phone number for the Green Flag. All they had to do was launch their laptop which they had in the car and 3G connection to locate the number.
At the annual Naace conference last week a speaker David Warlick recounted how in America he often has people pointing the screen of their laptops at him. Video capturing/ broadcasting his talk via their built in webcams to colleagues/ students that were unable to attend. This has huge potential in education. For example supporting inclusion for those unable to attend through short term illness, by watching the lesson at a later date of for immediate viewing via skype etc… You could even access lessons you were unable to attend because the course doesn’t run in that institution, broadening the access to the curriculum. There are also possibilities for revision and a Secondary Science colleague Rob Sidaway is exploring this area, running revision classes across several schools.
New products incorporating this technology include a solution for homes without broadband for the computers for pupils initiative that here is B&NES we haven’t qualified for funding for. A 3G connection via a walled garden supplied by Stelgies in partnership with Vodaphone. Another interesting invention is a 3G connection shared via a router and powered via a battery pack for a mobile wireless network for field trips. This could power handheld technology in the field.
1:1 Access Devices
There are many devices on the market. Many are designed for industry and modified in some way for education. There is a new player in the market place and their sales have shot through the roof. It is the ASUS Eeepc sometimes called the ASUS minibook. This is a device that sits somewhere between a mobile phone and a laptop, a 1:1 access device to the internet and to the learning platform at an affordable price. The price is £169 for a Linux version. RM are a reseller as well as other companies. We will be shortly getting one on loan at the LA but companies such as Go Education will give schools a 21 day evaluation, and I think they are well worth a look. They will not replace laptop or desktop computers as they have limited memory, however this could be perfect for access to the internet as a tool, and access to the learning platform.
Our common learning platform solution ‘SWGFL Merlin’ will be piloted from May, early adopters in August and officially launched in September see the SWGFL website for more details. A learning platform will only work successfully if children have regular access to it. The ASUS minibook could be an option to consider.