Emerging Technologies

Advancements in technology most often come about as people try to solve specific problems. When brainstorming solutions, oftentimes new discoveries/technologies emerge.

Watch the video clip below about a problem in poor countries and how engineering students around the country were given a task to design a solution:



By creating a new technology - incubators made with used car parts - poor countries who have a high rate of premature births with 20% of those babies dying from cold and those that survive have life-long health problems, were able to find a low-cost solution to the problem.

Follow the link to watch a video clip related to military surveillance:  Air Force Bugbots

Next, watch this video clip about the Maverick Flying Car at Oshkosh in 2010; transportation that is fast, reliable, and able to access remote areas.



Do you think that something like this would actually sell? What other thoughts do you have about this project? Please comment on this post and add your first and last name at the end of your post.

Lastly, your assignment today is to take a look at Technology Review's 2012 Special Report on 10 Emerging Technologies. Select one article to read and give a short summary of what your article was about. From what you read, create a new post on your personal blog entitled Emerging Technologies and respond to the following questions in paragraph form:

• What inferences/assumptions can be made about the future technology?
• What surprised you the most?
• What are the possibilities for the future in this area?
• Looking at the list from 2009, are there any technologies that were considered "emerging" back then that are now being used?
• Give any other comments you have to offer.

Google Docs: Project Evaluation

Digital Storytelling

Welcome back! 

Prior to our well-deserved spring break, we were working on our Digital Storytelling projects.  Many of you were able to complete them - some of you were not.  If you still need to record your audio, you must do so during this class period.  If you have problems, find someone to help you troubleshoot - no excuses! 

If you finished the project before break, I would like for you to create the same project but this time using Movie Maker instead of PhotoStory.  Movie Maker should already be installed on your computer.  If it isn't, please download a free version.  (Make sure to check the C: drive, Program Files folder before you download!)  Once you've finished this project, I would like for you to comment on this blog and tell me which software you liked best and why.  Your "why" must be supported by at least three specific examples.

I know which software I like best and I look forward to reading your responses!

Bullying Survey

First Impressions

Let's Get Going!

Hello, 1st hour students and welcome to our class blog!  I'm looking forward to all of us working together and making this trimester one where put into practice the technology tools learned in Online Experience A..  I am hopeful that this class will be one that you feel free to be creative, share ideas and resources in an environment that is safe and maybe even a little fun!

We will be using our blog for a variety of things. Our class blog will be for teacher-to-student communication as well as student-to-student communication.  It's main purpose will be for you to learn about blogs and what they are used for. We will also use the blog to post assignments, showcase work, or simply have class discussions.

Once an assignment is posted, you will have a specific period of time within which to respond. You may respond to the blog from class, home, the library or any other place that you might have access to the Internet.

Before we begin, there are ground rules that must be set and followed. Note that if these are not followed you may receive a zero on the assignment(s). Please follow the rules!

1. All posts must use school appropriate language. When you post, you must write in complete sentences using proper grammar and spelling. Do not use: u, r, ur, b4, cuz, etc.
2. When commenting on another student’s post, keep your comments non-personal. You can agree or disagree with a comment but refrain from sarcasm, judgment, and/or put-downs. You must state how you feel and why. 
3. You must comment on every article, topic, or question from me - it is an assignment - and your response should thoughtfully address each topic and question posted on the blog. You cannot simply write “I agree.”

Your first assignment will be to complete the following form: