The Horizon Report is an annual report created to showcase up and coming media and technology. Members of a board examine and rate new media and technology and this research is used to create a report outlining technologies that are likely to be mainstreamed into daily lives and education within the next five years. "On the near-term horizon" technologies are likely to take off within the next 12 months, while "the second adoption horizon" and "looking to the far term horizon" tools and technologies are likely to be more fully developed and usable within the next five years. This blog post will focus on electronic books, a "on the near-term horizon" technology, because reading instruction is at the forefront of the professional development that is occurring at my school and is a personal interest of mine. However, each of the 6 described emerging technologies are very interesting and more information and the full Horizon Report can be accessed at http://www.nmc.org/pdf/2011-Horizon-Report.pdf .
Many, if not most of us, are aware that literature has become available online in recent years. In the context of everyday life, many people choose electronic books over old fashioned books. However, as the article mentions, when we download and read this text, we are simply accessing electronic copies of a typical book. This creates a convenient way to carry around several titles at once but does not really facilitate interaction. This report states that electronic books will become more interactive in the coming months as the technology continues to be developed. In the context of the classroom, where we as educators are working hard to teach students to make connections, think critically, and comprehend what they are reading, this could be a really powerful addition to our reading instruction.
Currently in my classroom, students have access to apps called "Moving Picture Books" on the iPod Touches. These books, though not interactive, use moving, bright colorful pictures, as well as a text highlighting feature, to keep students engaged in the story. The students are very excited to participate in reading these stories because they do keep their attention. I can only imagine the added layer of interaction that the Horizon Report suggests is just around the corner. I feel that students would gain a tremendous amount from this technology.
Now curious, I will continue to research this up and coming instructional tool and share that information with you on this blog. If you are currently dabbling in the use of this technology, please share any information that you have.
Hi Katy,
ReplyDeleteThis is Aida from Dr. Dunleavy's 650 class.
Congratulations on uintegrating technology in the classroom. As a visual learner and former art teacher I give great deal of importance to graphics. I can see the quick student engagement to the subject and interaction because of the use of colorful graphics and high quality in your lessons. You got kids that are engaged in the lesson for instance when the students are looking at a book and at the same time using the computer for what it seems the same book. I think exposing students to new technologies -ipod and regular books allows the child to value and appreciate both media. Exposing kids in so young age also benefits everyone forming avid cyber citizens.