The future of libraries? In Japan, elevated study pods encourage conversation — from startup-dating.com by Yukari Mitsuhashi
Photo via toto.co.jp
Photo by Liss Blog
Also see:
8 apps to turn your iPad into a digital whiteboard — teachthought.com
Also related:
Future learning environments: professional, powerful, personal — from learning technologies by Steve Wheeler, Associate Professor of Learning Technology, Plymouth University
Description:
We will explore future learning possibilities using new and emerging technologies. Smart mobile phones, social media and learning platforms are just the start of a rapid evolution in learning technology, and many new technologies are beginning to emerge. The so called ‘Web 2.0’ tools are socially rich and participatory, enabling users to create, organise and share their own content, and collaborate with others in their professional communities, but the next phase in the evolution of the Web is already here. We will explore concepts such as Web 3.0 and Web x.0, intelligent filtering and recommender systems and speculate on how these new tools might liberate learners further, personalising their learning experiences and enabling them to create powerful professional learning networks. We will discuss:
- Personal and professional learning networks
- User generated content
- Web 3.0, Web x.0 and beyond
- Smart mobiles, intelligent filtering and recommender systems
- Issues and challenges for organisations
Moving exams out of the classroom — from campustechnology.com by Linda L. Briggs
Excerpt:
The idea of moving exam-taking out of the classroom and into dedicated testing centers on campus is gaining currency. The approach frees up valuable class time, and allows for more frequent and varied testing approaches.
Despite these benefits, though, a number of challenges persist for on-campus testing centers, including providing sufficient seats during peak times such as midterms and finals, keeping student data secure, and finding good exam-building software.
From DSC:
Below are some reflections after seeing these items:
.
From DSC:
The current set of MOOCs are very powerful, but, like a bush that needs pruning, they can become unwieldy and hard to control. Not only do the current set of MOOCs help me to see the importance of instructional design, but trying to drink from the firehose often presents problems (i.e. wading through thousands of tweets, hundreds of blog posts, etc.). How can we still provide openness and yet provide people with better methods/tools for setting their desired level of drinking from this firehose? Tags are helpful, but for most people, they are not doing enough to filter/curate the content at this point.
Enter the technologies being developed in IBM’s Watson, Apple’s SIRI, or in Knewton’s product lines. End-user controllable setting might include:
The ideas involving learning agents, artificial intelligence, intelligent tutoring, intelligent systems and more seem to get roped in here…hmm…just thinking out loud and sharing potentially-useful ideas.
Designing collaborative spaces for schools — from The Journal by By Peter C. Lippman
Thoughtfully designed learning environments can help students work together more effectively.
From DSC:
I would like to see us facilitate such teamwork/collaboration via helping people in the same physical location work together as well as their ability to collaborate with others outside of that physical space (i.e. web-based collaboration).
Excerpt:
This image gallery from Fielding Nair International, a group of architects working in education, shows lots of images from new and innovative schools around the world.
Addendum on 2/13/13, also see:
.
Inside look: Learning spaces — from University Business by Kristen Domonell
Meeting classroom teaching and collaboration expectations
Excerpt:
Gone are the days when a basic classroom with a podium and desks was considered an acceptable learning space. In fact, according to CDW-G’s “Learn Now, Lecture Later” report released in June 2012, 47 percent of instructors surveyed said they are moving beyond the lecture-only model. In addition, 71 percent of students and 77 percent of instructors said they use more classroom technology than just two years ago.
Key trends identified in the “2012 Horizon Report,” a collaboration between the New Media Consortium and the Educause Learning Initiative, include the shift in education paradigms to include online learning, hybrid learning, and the collaborative model; a new emphasis in the classroom on more challenge-based and active learning; and a change in the way student projects are structured, driven by the increasingly collaborative work world.
Here are examples of how institutions are adapting to these shifting trends by creating learning spaces that foster innovative thinking and collaboration—and prepare students for the future.
.
From DSC — with a special thanks to Mr. Michael Haan, Technology Integration Specialist at Calvin College, for this resource
Now we’re talking! The Mondopad from InFocus is starting to morph into what I thought the “chalkboard of the future” might look like. Now I’d like to see:
Key features:
Also see the information out at Precision Data Products:
Google’s absolutely amazing & extraordinary office in Tel Aviv, Israel –from theultralinx.com by Oliur Rahman
From DSC:
Thanks Oliur for a great portfolio of images/ideas! Here are just a few examples of some very cool spaces that encourage learning, creativity, innovation, and collaboration:
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Technology trends that are driving Internet of Things markets — from onworld.com
ON World has identified the key technology advances that are making 2013 a pivotal year for the Internet of Things (IoT). Dozens of cloud addressable wireless sensors were demonstrated at CES and Bluetooth Smart products increased by 5X from last fall.
Excerpt (emphasis DSC):
San Diego, CA , Jan. 30, 2013 — Within the next five years, billions of Internet connected wireless smart objects will be in use, according to global technology research firm ON World.
“Cloud services combined with smart mobile devices have created a new landscape of opportunities for service providers, manufacturers and developers,” says Mareca Hatler, ON World’s research director. “As demonstrated by dozens of cloud addressable wireless sensing systems shown at CES this year, a new generation of Internet connected systems is underway.”
The major technology trends that are driving Internet of Things (IoT) markets include the following…
Thanks to Stephen Harris (@Stephen_H) for these resources re: some great learning spaces
Study shows how classroom design affects student learning — from fastcodesign.com by Kyle VanHemert
A new study shows how color, lighting, and other classroom design choices can have a huge impact on student progress.
Excerpt (emphasis DSC):
As debate over education reform sizzles, and as teachers valiantly continue trying to do more with less, a new study suggests that it might be worth diverting at least a little attention from what’s going on in classrooms to how those spaces are being designed. The paper, published in the journal Building and the Environment, found that classroom design could be attributed to a 25% impact, positive or negative, on a student’s progress over the course of an academic year. The difference between the best- and worst-designed classrooms covered in the study? A full year’s worth of academic progress.
Also see:
From DSC:
Which reminds me of a recent idea I was thinking about and an accompanying 11″ x 17″ graphic:
.
From DSC:
I’m trying to address the students that are more easily distracted and, due to how their minds process information, have a harder time focusing on the task at hand. In fact, at times, all of the external stimuli can be overwhelming. How can we provide a learning environment that’s more under the students’ control? i.e. How can we provide — using the same exact learning space — “volume knobs” for students’ auditory and visual channels?
Along these lines, I’m told that some theaters have sensory-friendly film showings — i.e. with different settings for the lights and sound than is typically offered.
Specialty classroom technologies — from centerdigitaled.com
Session was moderated by Tom Ryan, Ph.D. | Sr. Fellow, Center for Digital Education | Former CIO, Albuquerque Public Schools
Resources
Example slides:
