What does emerging technology mean to me?

What does emerging technology mean to me and how does in impact my personal and professional life?

Emerging technologies are exciting to me. It seems that every day there are new technologies becoming available. The most exciting thing about them is that most of them are offered free! I try to stay on top of the latest available technologies but it is not an easy task. I've set up a wiki, blog, and podcast, but even with the ease of setup and editing, it is hard to keep them current. I tend to use the new technologies for both personal and professional communication. I find that many teachers and students will be more motivated to learn a new technology when it can be used for personal tasks. Then, the new skills are easily used for classroom tasks.

I recently stumbled upon Scrabblogging. This involved an online digital scrapbook with comments built in just like a blog. I first set one up for my family to try it out. Next, I had 3rd grade students use it to share what they are learning through this new technology. They quickly picked it up and have enjoyed producing content in this way. Once we open the scrapblogs for comments, it will be even more engaging.

As for wikis, I find it amazing and powerful that we can all be contributors and editors for the web. I use Wikipedia many times to get information. Recently, I found that it was accurate and updated for something that had happened only hours before. How powerful to have reference material that is available almost in real time. Not only that, but material that I or my students can edit. We have a pilot classroom technology project in our district. We currently use a free service called Wikispaces to collaborate and document the project's progress. I subscribe and receive any changes made through e-mail. I always know when a page has been updated without having to revisit the page. I feel that this technology, RSS feeds and more are an unbelievably easy way to stay current and connected.

Just last week I found so many ways to make professional looking slideshows for free I could hardly try them all. I mad a few with Bubbleshare and with Pickle and then found a free Flash Slideshow maker I could use without having to post my pictures online. This was a safer way to handle student photos. Again, this technology is useful both at home and at school. It is motivating to try these new technologies first at home and then find uses at school but sometimes it does work the other way.

As for other technologies like PDA's, I don't know how I lived without them. My Palm contains my address book, calendar, to do list, important documents and so much more. I call it my "brain" since it has so much information I would be unable to recall as quickly without it. Other portable devices like my IPOD allow me to listen to the latest audio books anywhere I go, helping me to keep up with the latest information. In addition, I can download podcasts from all over the world. I've used a new service called GCast with my students and parents. This free service allows podcasting by telephone. I have high school students, parents, and even grandmothers recording books for our ESL students to listen to online or download to CD. This activity proves that emerging technologies don't have to be difficult but can be so valuable in sharing learning in new ways.

What is the bottom line? Though overwhelming, emerging technologies excite me and my students. I use them in both my personal and professional life. I can't wait to find and try the latest technologies and find ways that these technologies will help my students and me learn and share learning in newer and better ways. I can't wait to learn more in this Emerging Technologies course.