Thank you, Demario for permission to post this essay to our public blog as model for teachers and learners.
Dialogue Integrative Analysis of Learners' Essays
by Demario Strickland
Fordham University
June 15, 2008
As the education gap continues to increase in education, educators need to think of new ways to improving the educational field to ensure the success of all learners. One phenomenon that is being used is the implementation of continuous professional development for all educators. Teachers, principals, guidance counselors, administrators, law-makers, and parents are individuals who benefit from professional development. These individuals are the ones that work together to ensure the success of all learners. (King 2002)
The students in the curriculum and instruction program at Fordham Universities”, “Graduate School of Education” are learning what professional development really is and how people are to learn how to grow in the field. The following individuals have done research on New Media Technologies and have discussed the benefits in the education field. Responses for the following individuals will be responded to in this paper. This is to ensure that these individuals understand they are being heard and that their research continues to make a world of difference in the field of education. (King 2008)
The first new media research that will be analyzed is entitled “Building A Sustainable Ed-Tech Culture in Your School or Organization.” This research was conducted by Ms. Anna Ponterosso. Anna begins her research by explaining the individuals of a professional development session. She lists a detailed line up of capable individuals who are going to affect the world of education. Anna then lists the goals of her program and the effects that they will have on the individuals benefiting from the professional development. Anna then begins to explain the needs for technology to improve the field of education. She then goes through a detailed list of schools at different levels of education and their professional development programs that are designed to increase the learning by use of technology at the schools. Finally, Anna explains her experience with professional development programs and the need for more training to be available. (King 2008)
Albilda Hernandez conducted research and titled her paper “Equity Issues.” Albilda's introduction ends with an important question in which all educators should continue to ask themselves while practicing and finding the right niche for the field. “Can technology bring equity or will it just make the digital divide bigger? Even after technological equity is established, will it really improve education and provide educational and societal equity?” This is in direct response to the digital divide which discusses the gap that exist between individuals with technology, individuals that have access to technology, and the individuals who do not have access to technology. Albilda continues to talk about the differences that those who do not have access to technology suffers which does not narrow the gap but further increases it. She presents hard statistical information that is very relevant to equity issues making her research clear and focused. Albilda sums up her research by explaining the different factors that must be solved so that everyone has access to technology to ensure closure of the gap. (King 2008)
Next, Georgia Trim wrote a research paper entitled “Information Literacy and Education.” Georgia begins quoting references from articles which talked about the variety of ways that technology could be used. This was a good way to begin her topic so that the reader understands where her paper intends to take its readers. One important point that she puts in her paper was that new technologies can be used by “providing scaffolds and tools to enhance learning.” She then begins to speak about digital equity and how it should be improved so that all learners benefit equally. Most importantly about Georgia's paper was that she talks about how information literacy should be improved in education. Literacy is a challenge in classrooms today and it is important that it takes a positive turn for the better. When this happens, many of the inequities will be erased and the achievement gap overall will be decreased. (King 2008)
Low Residency Programs in Higher Education titles Anita Oelker's research. Anita's research was very well detailed and practical for the world of higher education. Many colleges and universities have begun to create low residency programs at their schools. On line learning is an example of a low residency program. These programs provide access to all students and does not always require a face-to-face environment which in the twenty-first century has not become practical. Students are not learning in just the traditional classroom like the past, but many have taken on learning virtually. In addition to education directly, Anita touches on how low-residency programs have influenced other fields. Most importantly, she brings up great issues about how adults are benefiting from these programs. These are individuals who are left out at times because of the quick pace technology continues to take. (King 2008)
Irene Sarno's research was titled “Building Your Professional Community With Online Development.” Irene's paper was very general and to the point. This is very beneficial for individuals who need an overview of the issues and trends regarding to technology. Irene does a great job of explaining how professional development programs should have goals that are in line with NSDC Standards for staff development. Irene then explains how the goals that are set forth by NSDC can be met so that all professional development program goals are met. She even talks about the converse effects of professional development can occur if the goals do not align with the NSDC standards and what the current stakes and trends are. This is very beneficial for anyone who wants to have the ideas of what not to do in regards to trying to set up professional development programs.
Lastly, Elaine Surovich conducted research in regards to “Building A Sustainable Ed-Tech Culture.” It was very powerful how Elaine began her research paper when she explained the age of technology that the world is in. She then list a few technologies that are in regards to how everyone is growing up. Elaine then explains how schools must begin to build this sustainable ed-tech culture. She lists the information step by step and makes it very understandable for the reader to begin to react to educational technology. Most importantly, Elaine remembers to discuss the drawbacks that educational technology can have in education. She makes one realize that they are not to forget about some of the issues that are involved in educational technology today. This helps educators go in with a clear mind and not expecting perfection when building a sustainable ed-tech culture. In addition, these individuals know that they are not going into a field where things are very stagnant, but they are going into something that is very exciting and something that is in constant transformation which one needs to accept in order to build this sustainable culture.
The research conducted by the students on the CTGE 6265, Issues and Trends in Educational Technology are very relevant and conducive to education today. The individuals listed above with their research have clear perspectives about education and they realize that it extends all over the world. In addition, educational technology is everywhere, not just in the field of education. Reading these research documents in detail will allow anyone, especially professional development staffs to touch on pertinent information in regards to what is best for everyone to know about education.
References
King, K. P. (2002). Keeping Pace with technology (vol 1). Cresskill, NJ: Hampton Press, Inc.
King, K. P., Hernandez, A., Surovich, E., Sarno, I., Nugent, L., Ponterosso, A., Trim, G., Norris, W., & Ytuarte Oelkers, A. (2008). CTGE 6265 Summer 2008 Emerging Issues in Technology. Retrieved May 28, 2008 from, http://ctge6265.blogspot.com/
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