Technology

Compose an APA style essay, a minimum of 2000-words that explores, discusses, and presents the technology you have selected from the emerging technologies list below. You must also cite two scholarly articles that support and defend the ideas you have explained in your implications section. The scholarly articles must be obtained from an online resource (the NU library and ProQuest Database is preferred) and include articles that are not older than 5 years. If you find seminal studies from before 2015, you may include them but be sure to have the majority of your articles after 2015.

The in-text citations need to reflect the APA style.
SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS FOR THE ESSAY

In this essay, you will identify the media or practice from the possible list below and explain and defend the implications for teaching, for instruction, for training, or for learning.

A sample of the structure might be:

Identify and Describe the Media Practice or Technology

Brief Overview and Description (No more than one paragraph on the history unless it is relevant to your discussion on implications)

Identify implications for teaching, instruction, training, or for learning

Cite a case study or example from the literature.

Defend the implications for teaching, instruction, training, or for learning

Include a summary of the implications to potentially support further inquiry.

Support the “why”
Closure/Conclusion

Tips and Reminders:

Remember to use headings for organization.

Check your work using an APA Checklist for formatting the document.

Have fun exploring a media or practice!

A Very Short Sample (Dated but just a sample)

Cloud Computing: The New Web

Cloud computing is a relatively new medium of storage that makes use of an extensive connection of servers that are connected through hubs on the massive Internet. Web 2.0, as it is more commonly known by makes the Internet more active and less passive. The new Internet is a place where collaboration and communication in common web spaces allow us to publish our ideas and examples for all to see. For example, in New Literacies in the World of Cloud Computing, Thornburg (2008) explains that our technology advancements have moved us into new domains of use, and that we suddenly have a new set of skills. Thus, these 21st century skills and literacies are pushing us to think and apply what we know outside the proverbial box. The collaborative web is not just emailing or instant messaging, the collaborative web enables us to work in teams on projects and documents, simultaneously brainstorming, editing, revising, and publishing in “real time”.

In an early article on the topic of Internet based resources, Seely Brown (2000) discussed new media as “transformative learning” and as “cybershifts” that have changed the way digital learners are now learning (p.13). In 1987, Brown helped found the Institute for Research on Learning (IRL) where the learning theory of situated learning initially developed. Brown’s concept is that we are all situated in a new explosion of web tools and that this new media presents many challenges in the educational landscape. It is a challenge to understand the technologies, but a bigger challenge to apply them in current practices in teaching and in learning.

In a more recent article, Denton (2012) furthers the discussion by emphasizing the vast productivity potential for enhancing instruction through a “cloud-based” resource of shared information. He further posits that “cloud-based” application features like file sharing and online publishing are encouraging educational institutions to readily adopt these technologies. “Cloud computing technologies, such as Google Docs and Microsoft Office Live, have the potential to enhance instructional methods predicated on constructivism and cooperative learning (Abstract, p. 1).” Round, (2011) further concludes that “technology leaders must architect robust solutions that ensure a quality experience” without impacting the budget (p. 27).

Resources

Denton, D. (2012). Enhancing Instruction through Constructivism, Cooperative Learning, and Cloud Computing. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning, 56(4), 34-41. doi:10.1007/s11528-012-0585-1

Round, K. (2011). E-Learning 2.0: Cloud Computing and the Online Learner. Journal Of Applied Learning Technology, 1(4), 24-27.

Seely Brown, J. (2000). Change. March/April. Retrieved from: http://www.johnseelybrown.com/pubs.html

Thornburg, D. (2008). New Literacies in the World of Cloud Computing, OnCUE Magazine, Fall, Computer Using Educators, retrieved from: http://www.cue.org/oncue/

A List of Potential New (relatively new) or Emergent Tools/Concepts to Explore (you will select only one for your essay)

Updated January 2020

1:1 Computing
Adaptive Technology
Alexa (Echo, and other Voice Activated Tools)
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Assistive Technology
Augmented Reality
Avatars
Blended Learning
Blogging/Microblogging
Chromebooks
Classroom Responder Systems
Cloud Computing
Cognitive Mind Maps (online)/ Semantic Mapping
Concept of Crowdsourcing
Data Analytics
Design Thinking
eCoaching
Flipped Learning
Game Based Learning
Geocaching
GPS
Gesturing Technologies
Google Suite/Tools and Collaboration
Handhelds and Cell Phone Use in the Learning Environment
Haptics
Immersive Environments and Virtual Worlds (e.g. Second Life)
Infographic and the Importance of Graphics as a Medium for Learning
Integration of Streaming Video and video download (Safari, United Streaming, California Streaming, YouTube, TeacherTube, etc.). Why is Multimedia a powerful tool for learning?
Intelligent Tutors
Intelligent Classroom Teaching Behavior Analysis Systems
Internet of Things (IoT)
Interactive Whiteboards and Interactive Technologies
Locomotion Interface
Makerspaces
MOOCs
Nanotechnology and other chipping devices
Neuroplasticity
Online Collaboration
Open Source/Open Educational Resources
Podcasting or using audio media for teaching and learning
Robotics
SketchNoting
Social Networking and Social Media
Tablets in the Learning Environment
The Kindle and other eBook Readers
Touch Sensors
Virtual Reality
Voice Over IP and Webcasting
Vodcasting or using video and audio media for teaching and learning Webcasts and other Synchronous Voice Over Internet Protocol Systems
Wiki Interface
Just Added

Methodologies and Theories for Teaching and Integrating Technology

SAMR

TPAK

Note: If there is a technology not on this list, ask your professor about how you may explore the topic!

Research Tips

New technologies are around us in the workplace, marketplace, in healthcare, and in the home. The Essay Assignment this week will allow you the freedom to explore new and emerging technologies but with a lens on how the technology impacts teaching, training, and learning. As part of this assignment, you will need to use the NU online library to find two peer reviewed/scholarly articles to support and defend the technology in practice.

What exactly are you researching? How has the technology been used effectively and has potentially increased productivity, impacting teaching, training or learning? Is the literature you have found a scholarly resource?

Our library has developed a research guide for our program. Please navigate to (and bookmark) this outstanding resource built in a tool called, “Libguide” through our National University Library (links on the navigation bar to the left).

Please navigate to the APA Guidelines section under the Course Home for detailed instructions on how to create an APA grounded writing assignment.

Background Video on Scholarly Articles

Watch Video
The Anatomy of a Scholarly Article
Google Scholar (aka Scholar Google)

https://scholar.google.com/

A delightful video overview by Tom Nicholas (2017) on how to use Google Scholar for conducting literature review. Includes tips on Boolean searches.

Short Google Scholar video on how to set up your computers to see a way to link full text in Google Scholar to the NU Library: http://nu.libguides.com/training/google-scholar