Assignment #2 - Paul Loder

"If we teach today as we taught yesterday, we rob our children of tomorrow." -John Dewey

1) BYOD

BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) or BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology) is gaining popularity in many schools as a way of increasing access to classroom technology without the costly burden of purchasing a device for each student. It acknowledges the reality that many students — even those in relatively low-income communities — have ready access to educationally-valuable technology that, until recently, they were forced to turn off when they entered the school building. These devices included everything from laptops, tablets to smartphones.
BYOD classrooms can address a number of issues. It can solve the problem of not having enough (or any) devices for your classroom. It can enable students to do web-based work when they might not have otherwise been able to. It can allow them to do work on the same device at home and at school.
I have encouraged students in my program to BYOD to the classroom for a number of reasons, for example, all my networking students are using their devices even their smartphones in storing and viewing their digital textbooks, they like the idea that their textbooks are accessible all the time. Furthermore, I use SharePoint services in my classroom domain for assigning and receiving Assignments, adding important calender events and sharing networking resources. Students are able to use their own devices to connect to these resources via a website therefore allowing for greater interactivity.
However their are obvious obstacles as well, one of the issues that I have experienced is that since students come in with different devices that run on different platforms, finding apps and tools that work across a wide array of devices is a necessary evil.

Here is an video to show how students can use BYOD:

(Full screen recommended)

Yog,j.(2011,October 11). The effects of Integrating Technology in Curriculum Planning. Retrieved September 29,2014 from Studymode.com:http://www.studymode.com/essays/the-effects-of-integrating-technology-in-792138.html

Lepi,K.(2013,November 7).30 Apps Perfect for BYOD Classrooms.Retrieved September 29,2014 from Edudemic.com:http://www.edudemic.com/byod-apps-symbaloo/

Richea,J.(2014,January 29).10 Ways Students Can BYOD.Retrieved September 29,2014 from Youtube.com:https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=2bdv9bq81x4

2. 3D Printing

3D printing is a complex emerging technology inaccessible to most people in 2013, but 2014-15 might just be the year for them in the classroom. There is a lot of buzz about this incredible printer that can make 3 dimensional solid objects. They will make fabulous learning tools for the classroom, allowing educators and students to create whatever they image and design from 3D topographical maps to parts for a robot.
 Don’t be surprised if the oh so sought after 3D printers started popping up in schools all over the country this year. They make incredible learning tools with endless possibilities as to what they can create.

I would certainly love the opportunity in implementing a 3-D printer in my classroom, I would get students to print 3-D replicas of Network Topologies they would create of typical buildings.  A 3-D view would help reinforce the appropriate way of how a building needs to be cabled and networked. I am looking forward to the day I can utilize this new technology in the classroom,  unfortunately there is a dark side to 3-D printers ,for example;
1. 3D printers are energy hogs:

When melting plastic with heat or lasers, 3D printers consume about 50 to 100 times more electrical energy than injection molding to make an item of the same weight.
2. Unhealthy air emissions:3D printers may pose a health risk when used in the home. The emissions from desktop 3D printers are similar to burning a cigarette or cooking on a gas or electric stove.
3. Reliance on Plastics: Self explanatory - Unhealthy to the environment.

Here is a video describing how a 3-D Printer functions:

Airfold3D.(2014,January 3).Teachers Build 3D Printers for the classroom.Retrieved September 29,2014,from Airfold3D.com:http://www.airfold3d.com/2014/01/03/teachers-build-3d-printers-for-the-classroom/

gilpin,L(2014,March 5).The Dark Side of 3D Printing -10 Things to Watch.Retrieved September 29,2014,from Techrepublic.com:http://www.techrepublic.com/article/the-dark-side-of-3d-printing-10-things-to-watch/

Steed,D.(2013,June 13).3D Printing in the Classroom.Retrieved September 29,2014,from Youtube.com:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urjIMfxfxs8

3. Introducing the Google Classroom:

 As we all know, Google is a force in many different facets of our daily lives. It only makes sense that they also have their involvement within education.

This evolution of Google makes sense. They already have the pieces of the puzzle available that education institutions find valuable. Everything from Google Docs, to Gmail, and chat – the only missing component was one unified name and place for these features.

The info graphic below (provided by Google), gives 10 tips for effectively using the Google Classroom tool in you classroom. While we know that many of Google’s applications are user-friendly, would you use it for your courses?

I think the answer largely depends on what you value out of such a tool. While Google does have a track record of creating quality programs. Ideally if you plan on supplementing your classroom with an online interactive component, then I would think that Google Classroom would be worth considering.  

At present the only limitations that have been documented with Google classroom is compatibility issues with cross platforms. Another obvious problem is the issue of having a dedicated and consistent Internet connection.

Check out this demonstration video:

10 Tips for effectively using Google Classroom

News,T.L(2014,august 29).Google classroom - Should you use it ? Retrieved September 29,2014,from Elearningfeeds.com:http://www.elearningfeeds.com/google-classroom-should-you-use-it/

Education,Google(2014,june12).classroom 101.Retrieved September 29,2014, from Youtube.com:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K26iyyQMp_g