Running Head: EMERGEING TECHNOLOGIES 1

Emerging Technologies

Evelyn Morales-Ramirez

College of Southern Nevada

October 18, 2015

Corinne Blake

EDU 214
Running Head: EMERGEING TECHNOLOGIES 2

Abstract

This paper explores three emerging technologies and the way they are integrated into classrooms

depending on the different grade levels. It focuses on how each technology works and how they

impact the both the learning and teaching processes as well as their benefits in the classroom.
EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES 3

Emerging Technologies

Technology is something that grows and evolves over the years just as humans do. With

each year that goes by technology gets more and more advanced. Along with these

advancements it has also made its way into classrooms. The first piece of technology that was

seen in most schools was computers. Computers for students were a luxury and were not seen in

each classroom, but in what is known as the “computer lab.” As time passed by computers

started being provided for student use in the classrooms rather than just in the computer lab. Now

computers are a significant part of the technology used in classrooms. There is a vast amount of

things that can be done with the use of computers that are beneficial to students as well as

teachers. Educators are always trying to find ways to get students more involved and interested

in the subjects being taught in class and incorporating technology facilitates that. Students are

fascinated with technology and using it to teach is a way to ensure that they will be more focused

in class. With technology getting better and better as the years go by, its role in the classrooms is

constantly changing as well as getting bigger. Technology is something that enhances the

learning process and makes the teaching process easier while also making them both more

enjoyable for students and teachers. For the purpose of educational use, there are many emerging

technologies that are currently being integrated into classrooms to improve the way subjects are

being taught. These emerging technologies are for the improvement of student performance and

overall performance of the classroom.

One of the emerging technologies that is highly known of is mobile technology. Mobile

technology allows the students to have access to their work virtually anywhere. As long as the

students have their mobile technology with them whether it would be a cell phone, laptop, or

tablet they would be able to continue work started in the classroom. It destroys the barrier of
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being restricted to a desktop computer. With the use of mobile technology teachers can develop

special software for their classroom that aligns with the current subject matter being taught in the

classroom. There are many ways it can be used in the classroom. The teacher can integrate the

students’ mobile devices into the classroom activities and the assignments. Although mobile

technology is suitable for all ages, it would start to be more useful and helpful for students

around the age of ten and older when they can have a better understanding of how to better

incorporate mobile technology into their learning process. Around this age they are more capable

of being able to handle the use of it with a higher standard. Cara Bafile writes about Matt Cook

who is a teacher in Texas and says, “Now, Cook’s fifth graders use their cell phones on a daily

basis to collaborate by sharing information; to gather data; and to work with Microsoft Word and

Excel.” They can start at a young age, but it is not until they get a bit older where they can start

to get more use out of it like Cook’s fifth graders.

The benefits to using mobile technologies in the classroom are quite vast. By using

mobile technology in the classroom educators will be preparing the students for the future. With

all the technology that there is now, there is bound to be more in the future and it will become

part of their everyday life and possibly their career. Mobile technology will provide students the

ability to access the latest information and news that there is. It will allow them to have up-to-

date learning which is a better alternative to textbooks that may not be able provide the latest

news. It can be beneficial for higher education because of its ubiquitous nature and flexibility

(Agricultural Education). With mobile technology both the teaching process is facilitated as well

as the learning process. Mobile technology gives teachers the opportunity to assign classwork

and homework that could otherwise be a more difficult task if it were not for the use of mobile

technology. Rather than being limited to where it is one can work with the computer it would be
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wherever since they would have their mobile technology with them. The use of mobile

technology allows teachers to provide a more interactive and effective type of learning to meet

the students’ individual needs (Agricultural Education). Teachers could use it to assess and

evaluate the educational goals and objectives set for their students. It allows both to get a feel for

something other than the textbook and lectures usually given. The students would be more

engaged in the learning process since they would be using a piece of technology that they

typically already use on a day to day basis depending on the mobile technology that they use at

home or have been exposed to already. Mobile technology acts as a breather and alternative to

the typical textbook and notes. Eden Estopace states, “Eighty-three percent of the educators in

the region felt that the accessibility of digital tools and applications on mobile devices helps

them better understand and improve concepts and information before including them in lesson

plans for their students.” With the help of mobile technology educators themselves can improve

their teaching skill which in the long run improves the teaching process that in return also helps

the students in the learning process.

Another emerging technology that is getting more and more recognition is cloud

computing. Working in the “cloud” means that files are stored in the cloud rather than the

computer where the file was originally created. Teaching and Learning with Technology says,

“Cloud computing is a networked environment made up of multiple computers, often in different

locations, that offers small slices of computing resources on demand to many users (p377).”

Cloud computing eliminates the hassle of having to carry around a flash drive, hard drive, etc.

Files and documents stored in the cloud are accessible wherever there is computer and internet

access. The services stored in the cloud are conveniently available to the user anytime, anywhere

and on any device (Cloud Computing in Education). Besides being available basically wherever,
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the second biggest advantage to cloud computing is its relatively low cost. This is beneficial to

all, especially schools who have had to face budget cuts. Not only is it affordable, but it also

eliminates another expensive cost: textbooks. It removes the use of outdated textbooks by

enabling students to use cloud-based textbooks that are up to date. There is no software

requirement, which eliminates yet another burden.

Cloud computing is an educational tool that can be used for students of all grade level

and all ages. Students that are doing brief writing assignments in elementary school or

assignments that would require saving would greatly benefit from cloud computing. It is more

likely for kids of a younger age to lose things such as a flash drive; using cloud computing would

remove the burden of students possibly losing their started and saved work. Older students can

use it for all kinds of assignments such as essay, projects, presentations, etc. The portability helps

remove potential barriers to learning by enabling ease and speed of use to the students (How

Cloud Computing Can Help Education). The learning process is improved as cloud computing

leads to increased engagement and collaboration from students since they are able to continue

school work at home or on-the-go. It also leads to students being more likely to want to do

homework if they can access it easily from different devices as opposed to having to transfer

files from flash drives or things of that sort. The teaching process is facilitated for teachers with

the use of cloud computing. Their lesson plans and personal resources are easily accessible.

Teachers would no longer need to have the latest computer in order to use the software they

regularly use (Teaching and Learning with Technology). Students can complete the required

assignments through the cloud while teachers grade their work. Educators and students can

communicate with one another through the cloud while also working on their individual work:

teachers grading assignments and students completing them.

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Game-based learning is yet another emerging technology that seems to be more popular

for the elementary level although it can be used up to high school as well. It helps the younger

students get interested in learning though the use of educational games. According to the

editorial team of EdTechReview, “Generally, game based learning is designed to balance subject

matter with gameplay and the ability of the player to retain and apply said subject matter to the

real world.” Using this approach to learning can help motivate learners and increase the amount

of information they absorb. With game-based learning students are actively engaged and

learning. It is an easier way to get students doing work and learning without it feeling so much

like “work.”

Game-based learning has authoring tools that allow teachers to create learning activities

that would be similar to the assignments in traditional learning environments (Chang et al).

Students benefit from game-based learning because it is tailored to each learner. As they

demonstrate mastery of the learning goals presented to them they move onto more challenging

levels. This is beneficial to their learning process because it gives the learner the opportunity to

repeatedly practice thought processes and skills in a realistic environment. With game-based

learning misconceptions about core learning goals are quickly apparent (Trybus). Both the

teaching process and learning process benefit from this because it will be easier for the teacher to

recognize what material the student is struggling with. The student will then be able to get the

additional help they may need in order to understand the concept they are having troubles with.

Emerging technologies such as mobile technology, cloud computing and game-based

learning are all beneficial tools used in classrooms to try and improve the learning process of

students. Educators learn how they can use these new ways of teaching with these tools to

improve their effectiveness as teachers. With the help of these technologies they also find a way
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to get overall better results for students and classroom as a whole. Incorporating technology

based tools like these are meant to facilitate the way students learn and ultimately make learning

more engaging for them as well.

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References

Bafile, C. (2015, April 12). Mobile Technology Goes to School. Retrieved October 10, 2015,

from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech248.shtml

Chang, W., Wang, T., Lin, F. H., & Yang, H. (2009). Game-based learning with ubiquitous

technologies. IEEE Internet Computing,13(4), 26-33.

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1109/MIC.2009.81

Estopace, E. (2015). Asia-pacific educators support use of mobile technology in

classrooms. Enterprise Innovation, Retrieved from

http://ezproxy.library.csn.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1667458322?

accountid=27953

How Cloud Computing Can Help in Education. (2014). Retrieved October 9, 2015, from

http://tabletsforschools.org.uk/how-cloud-computing-can-help-in-

education/http://tabletsforschools.org.uk/how-cloud-computing-can-help-in-education/

Irby, T. L., & Strong, R. (2013). Agricultural education students' acceptance and self-efficacy of

mobile technology in classrooms.NACTA Journal, 57(1), 82-87. Retrieved from

http://ezproxy.library.csn.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1317656290?

accountid=27953

Isaila, N. (2014). CLOUD COMPUTING IN EDUCATION. Knowledge

Horizons.Economics, 6(2), 100-103. Retrieved from

http://ezproxy.library.csn.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/1537380863?

accountid=27953
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Lever-Duffy, J., & McDonald, J. (2011). Emerging Technologies and Schools. In TEACHING

AND LEARNING with Technology. Boston, Massachusetts: Pearson.

Trybus, J. (2014). Game-Based Learning: What it is, Why it Works, and Where it's Going.

Retrieved October 11, 2015, from http://www.newmedia.org/game-based-learning--

what-it-is-why-it-works-and-where-its-going.html

What is GBL (Game-Based Learning)? (2013, April 23). Retrieved October 11, 2015, from

http://edtechreview.in/dictionary/298-what-is-game-based-learning