Tech Ed-dy

OK, blogs I get. It’s taken me a while but I understand. I started out just visiting a few blogs and gleaning some interesting insights. Then I discovered RSS and the incredible way that it allows me feed the information that I want directly to my computer. I’m even beginning to understand the value of contributing to ‘the conversation’ by leaving comments and sharing my thoughts. I’m even on Twitter. But why bother with Technorati?? I don’t know, but many educators that I respect seem to use this service. so I’ve decided to sign up and see what it’s all about. I’m supposed to post some code so their spiders can see my blog, so here goes …

Technorati Profile

I’m really enjoying keeping up to date with the events happening on Mars through the Twitter feed NASA is publishing. At the same time I find myself in awe of the technology that allows us to be in communication with a robot on a planet so far away. It took 9 months for the Phoenix Lander to get to Mars, yet I can sit in my living room and receive updates and photos sent on the same day. There are two orbiting satellites around Mars that relay Phoenix’s signals back to earth at light speed. It takes only 15 minutes!!

Then I hear an interview with one of the scientists involved who likened their perfect landing at the North Pole of Mars to hitting a golf ball in the U.S.A (I think) and getting a hole in one in … Australia! It’s amazing.

So what are the implications for education. I’m not sure. But surely this is the kind of ‘take your breath away’ experience that technology can and should bring into the classroom. The Phoenix Mars Mission website has an education section of their webpage with some ideas for how this can be done.

FYI this post is being written on the little Asus eeepc that I purchased for the school. So far only three (whoops, four) spelling mistakes because of the little keyboard. This is the most amazing little computer and I’m convinced it is the leading edge of a huge wave of sub-compacts about to hit the market.

It all started with the One Laptop Per Child Program which aims to put affordable, reliable and connected laptops in the hands of children in developing countries. The technology spin offs from this project have led to the development of comparable laptops by IBM, HP and of course Asus.

My original thought was to try and purchase a cart load of these little things (at $400 each they are very affordable for what you get) that could be distributed to students as they work on projects in the classroom. I particularly liked that these little things would be a useful resource/tool but wouldn’t be the focus of the entire lesson.

I am also excited about loading audacity on these things and adding a microphone to turn them into portable recording stations. The potential for exciting multimedia projects is endless.

I’ve since changed my tune a little. The small screen and keyboard on these computers does take some getting used to and I think it might be frustrating for some. Instead I’m thinking that if we can find the money a proper laptop cart would be a better initial investment because it would garner more buy in from students and teachers, which would hopefully lead to more technology integration in the classroom.

However, there will still be 4 or 5 eeepcs floating around the school for students and teachers to experiment with. It should be exciting!