About Me

Hi and welcome to my blog!
My name is Debbie Morris.
I am currently a Career Technology Coordinator
at our local high school. I am a Walden University
student. This blog was created as part of my
coursework for Walden University. I hope you
enjoy my blog!







Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Module 2 Blog Tetrad



Lytro Camera
The Lytro camera offers features that are fairly mind-blowing.  It expands the capabilities of cameras as we know them.  The Lytro camera allows you to focus after the fact, focus and refocus during anytime and anywhere.  The most amazing capability to me is how it allows you to adjust parts of the picture you have taken.  This capability allows you to change who or what is in the background or foreground of your picture.  It allows you to arrange parts of the picture as being blurry and the other part clear.  The Lytro offers switch modes.  With this tool, you can switch between “everyday mode,” where the refocus range is determined automatically, and “creative mode,” which gives the photographer control over the refocus range.
In using the Lytro camera, picture taking steps are the same.  You focus and simply push the button to record your image.  The Lytro camera has some drawbacks such as its cost ($399 to $499).  Additionally, the Lytro’s 1.5 inch LC D screen seems too grainy and small to really get a sense of what you’re shooting.

Video on the use of the Lytro camera:








Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Spring 2012 Course: EDUC-7108-1/EDUC-8848-1 Emerging and Future Technology

Current Trends/Emerging Technology



Identify a current technology that has emerged in the last few years that shapes learning or productivity in your industry.
Net books are a current technology which has emerged over the past few years in the educational arena.  This technology is currently on the forefront for promoting efficient, engaging, and differentiated instruction for today’s classroom.


What problems or challenges have been associated with this technology?
In order to address this question, I researched schools within my community to see if any of them were using any of the emerging technologies.  I found a local high school that had actually started the process of implementing Net books.  I conducted an interview with the principal of this high school. This particular school had just been awarded a grant that would enable the school to implement many technology tools.  One of the tools was Net books.  I asked the principal if he had faced any problems or challenges with this technology implementation.  Many issues and challenges had developed and were being addressed.  The amount of wireless internet required for the Net books was a cost issue.   Additional wireless routers would have to be purchased.  Security issues were a concern in that security cameras would have to be purchased and equipment/managing devices.  Making sure the building is secure at night involves purchasing security cameras.    Teachers will need the check out system (similar to a library book check out system) in order to manage students classroom use of the Net books.  Additional challenges exist in the maintenance of these net books and kindles.  This includes repairs and damages the students may make.  Finally, training of teachers and students on how to use the tool will be a challenge.  Most of the time, students are more adapted to using technology tools than the teachers.  All of these issues have surfaced as the school prepares for the implementation of Net books.


What societal need does it meet, and what are its benefits?
The societal need it meets is that it puts our students on the forefront of the 21 century.  They are provided with a vast amount of resources and their educational opportunities are expanded greatly. 


What would make this technology even better avoiding the pitfalls?

This technology would have greater success if some factors could be deleted or reduced.  Stakeholders would like to see every student have internet access at home.  However, this will not be the case.  Issues such as; teacher training, security cameras, plans for wireless internet, and education on responsibility and ownership are pitfalls they hope to see reduced.  Planning strategies for these pitfalls are being created.   In addition, teachers have to change their mindset of classroom procedures.  They will have to incorporate additional steps in existing procedures in order to monitor the checking in and out of these tools.


·        http://thejournal.com/pages/cdwg/21st-century-classroom_e-books.aspx


I have responded to Tameka Shingles and Belinda VanNorman's blog post.