Week 14 Reflection

Chapter 31 – Emerging Instructional Technologies
When I first began reading this chapter, I was totally lost in the discussion on object-oriented learning environments. I was vaguely aware of the programming languages discussed, but felt like if this continued, I was in trouble. However, as I continued reading, especially about some of the components of object-oriented and distributed learning, I was energized. And, I felt this way throughout the rest of the chapter. It is always amazing to me the places we are at currently in our understanding and use of technology (and I am sure I only know a small fraction of it all) and the hopes and plans we have for the use of technology and instructional technology in our future.

Before I started writing this response and shortly after reading the chapter, I was sure I was most awed by the later technologies mentioned in the chapter…and I was sure that is what I would write about in terms of what I thought was “so neat.” However, in reviewing the reading in my preparation for my reflection, I returned back to the use of the Electronic Training Jackets (ETJ) and their ability to “combine a variety of personal, administrative, and educational/training data sources within a secure, centralized online data warehouse” (p. 325). How amazing that we have the ability to store so much information in such an accessible way and that it is all centralized on something that, to me, seems, still, fairly new and still reaching towards its fullest potential – the internet, online. It also amazes me the ways in which the world, and especially our government sectors such as the armed forces, can securely store data. Now, I am not naïve to think that any data is completely secure, but it sounds like there is considerable effort. The Smartcard technology discussed (thumbprint, voiceprint, retinal scans, DNA scan, etc.) just seems so surreal, even though I have heard about it and see it in my everyday life.

Another “so neat” moment for me was the discussion on cognitive science and neuroscience contributions to instructional technologies. I think it is all such a “so neat” moment to me because it is still a very controversial, largely unexplored area of topic. The topic just engages me because I can see, and argue, both sides of the ethical and legal issues involved in using such things as “gentle electrical impulses” and “focused neural stimulations” to aid humans to a better functional level. It is both an exciting and scary prospect, making it that much more intriguing to me. I can’t wait to see how it develops in my future’s time.

Favorite Activity of the Semester
I would have to say my favorite activity of the semester was working with screencasting. I enjoyed making my first screencast and I was delighted with the many ideas that instantly circled in my head as to how I could both help my students and my colleagues. Many of the earlier activities done in the semester I was familiar with to some degree, but this was the first time I had experimented with something like this on my own. Camtasia was surprisingly easy to use and I am sure I only scratched the surface of its capabilities – which in turn encouraged my excitement and interest in experimenting and learning further. How often can we, as adults, say that something catches our attention so fully!