Technology and Media

What do you need to know about technology and media in the classroom?  Technology is the hardware, software and tools required to make the connection to students in the online world.  Media is the way you can communicate to and reach the students.

Technology:  Computers are usually the first thing that people think about when they discuss technology.  But computers are just scratching the surface.  Today's students have access to a multitude of technology at their fingertips.  Smart phones, for example, are capable of so much from connecting to the internet to voice and facial recognition.  Compact digital cameras can video conference with sharp HD picture quality that fits in the palm of your hand.  And software designers are making thousands of small yet powerful apps that give the technology its  form and function.  For the K-12 classroom technology is the great barrier at times to distance learning.  Budget concerns and teacher training are big hurdles to jump before a technology grant can be put into place.  Then there is the systems testing and extended time it takes to get the package classroom ready so that it is functional for both teachers and students. Once it has been overcome, however, students are ready to learn anything anytime anywhere.

Media: If technology is the Tin Woodsman, then media is the beating heart.  Media is the content and communication necessary to reach the students.  From audio podcasting to videoclips on YouTube or visuals from Google Earth, it is the media that drives the content forward and provides the means of communication to the learner.  Once again with a simple smart phone a student can access podcasts, videos, and use apps to see Google Earth all within a few clicks of virtual buttons.  For the K-12 classroom the teacher must take the time to find appropriate media that ties into the course objectives or create the materials themselves.  At any rate this is a time consuming task.  Yet if the distance education program is to be successful, that is exactly what needs to be done to best serve your students.

Both of these concepts go hand in hand with distance learning.  You can't have one without the other.  Combining technology and media allows students to learn asynchronously and at their own pace.