A Lesson in Theory

A Lesson in Theory  

Foundations of Learning Theory has been an interesting class. It was unexpected in a naïve way. While I full well knew what the EdTech MA program has in store before I signed on, I had no idea I would be studying up and writing my final paper on B.F. Skinner (someone who is not necessarily famous for his use of technology in education). That being said, during my research into B.F. Skinner I was determined to find a connection between my area of study and ol' Big Forehead's Behaviorist theories.

I did.

B.F. Skinner had an enormous impact on media and how people interact with advertisements. Through Skinners ideas of operant conditioning we now have a better understanding of advertisement effectiveness and an entirely new study of commercial research (this can be found summarized in my B.F. Skinner literature review that I will post at the end of this entry).

What is my biggest takeaway from this course? That every learning theorist can be connected to almost every other succeeding theory, no matter what the primary subject. This is maybe not the impact that I was supposed to get from the course, but it was a big one for me. It is an idea that should have hit me out of common sense, but it had not. Common sense told me that, yes theorists learn from the superseding theorists, but I was lacking the understanding that they are connected to completely unrelated areas of study i.e. Operant conditioning and media studies.

The rest of the course had major takeaways as well. Having a background in various learning theories helps mold a teaching style. While I am fairly comfortable in my teaching style, I am always one to learn and improve. Having now implanted the ideas of Piaget, Papert, Dewey and others, it has opened my eyes to larger ideas that I can now fold into my class dynamic. While some of these ideas are ones that I think teachers have learned over time, it is always refreshing to have a deeper and technical understanding. I for one will be applying many of Papert's ideas to my repertoire, or at least using his ideas to justify the uncommon tech ideas I plan on implementing into my future classes.

B.F._Skinner_Lit_Review_Max_Debbas

View-Master: The future of Education and Journalism

Bear with me. I know I have touched on this before. In fact, I touched on this not too long ago, but I now things have changed. Now, the big guys have shown the world (or at least a good chunk of the United States) how VR can change the face of journalism. If you don’t know what I am talking about you can begin to read about it here (http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/21/business/media/the-times-partners-with-google-on-virtual-reality-project.html?_r=0) or here (http://www.engadget.com/2015/10/20/ny-times-vr-app-google-cardboard/) or just search "New York Times Google Cardboard" and view any of the top 20 results. I will sum it up for you: The New York Times included a Google Cardboard VR viewer with the November 7th weekend paper. A Google Cardboard VR viewer is a fold out device that turns your smartphone into a basic virtual reality viewer, letting you see 3D and 360-degree videos. The times also debuted an app that works with Google Cardboard as well as a new journalism film that is fully immersive, or at least its 360 degree video.  

The future of students learning via 360 degree VR films is not far away. Its now! No longer must you purchase a thousand dollar VR headset, or even a hundred dollar VR set, you can get one free in the newspaper! If you were not lucky enough to get one you build one with instructions from here (http://www.google.com/get/cardboard/get-cardboard/). What really gets me excited is this: The View-Master. Yes, that View-master. The red plastic goggles with the circular disks. You remember those right? You would insert the disc into the red goggles, pull down the trigger and you would see a grainy photo?   View-Master has released an updated version, one that works with Google Cardboard. You still get the plastic goggles, but now you slip your phone inside and that operates as the VR screen. You still get the little discs with photos. But now you look at those discs and they become 3D images of landmarks. Click on one of those landmarks and you get inserted into a 360 Degree VR experience of that location. Amazing. The View-Master also works with all Google Cardboard apps.

You want to make a 360 VR experience for your students? Simple. Use the Theta 360 Camera that I talked about in my earlier post, load it into Youtube as a Cardboard Video, then students only need to visit that video using the View-Master (or any Google Cardboard). You want to step up your journalism game? Take the Theta along on your next assignment, get footage of each location. Let viewers visit the locations while your story is played on top.

http://www.view-master.com/

http://www.google.com/get/cardboard/get-cardboard/

https://theta360.com/en/about/theta/s.html

That keyboard really tied the room together.

I have had a number of discussions recently based around the question, "what computer platform is best for classrooms?". What I find interesting is the overwhelming favor of the iPad. There is never a great answer for why an iPad should be used in a classroom; the answers that justify an iPad, just as easily justify a Chromebook. I understand that the iPad is the gold standard when it comes to tablet computers (or at least that’s what everyone has been brainwashed to think), but I hate a notion that a tablet is not the answer.

According to EducationDrive, iPads have outsold Mac computers 2 to 1 for the last three years in the education department. Much of this can be attributed to the price tag of a $399 iPad vs that of a $999 Mac, however is the savings on price worth the lack of functionality? The Pro's and Cons of tablets in the classroom have hashed out extensively, however they almost always seem to lack the big picture. The most common pros and cons I have seen:

PROS:

• Extending learning
• A vast library of resources
• Reducing printed material and books
• Improving STEM skills
• Engaging the hard to reach

CONS:

• Breaking expensive technology
• Online safety and security
• An unnecessary distraction
• Battery limitations

This may sound silly, but hear me out: the lack of a keyboard is a huge loss! More so than ever, typing is a skill that must be mastered in our society. Utilizing touch first operating systems in a class environment creates a gap in a fundamental "real world" skill. For that reason alone I would recommend against using iPads in the classroom. This answer may be solved by new devices like the iPad Pro, but for $949 you might as well purchase a full computer with a much more capable operating system.

My current picks for classroom computers:

K-12 - Chromebook.

A Chromebook is inexpensive, secure, cloud enabled, multi-user friendly, and has almost full PC functionality through Chrome extensions.

Higher Ed - A full PC, a Macbook, or a 2-in-1.

My personal favorite devices are a Macbook Pro (I am still a Final Cut Pro user) and a Surface Pro. The Surface Pro has been fantastic as a school workhorse. The tablet interface is great for reading, PDF markups, while the Keyboard and mouse add on create a full PC experience.

waiting room

Time moves slowly
In a foreign land
In God's waiting room
Looking for his hand
 

Waiting for answers
Finding faith instead
Stand silent
Be still
Look for His hand
 

Be patient
Be kind
Illuminate what you can
I wait and I wait
Yet I am only a man
 

I will be found
When I find Him
This land is new and frightful
I hear the slow clicking hand

refreshing

Acts 3:17-26
 

Times of refreshing.
 

Move forward, be bold. The problem may still be there. It may still be looming. But you can start releasing, start healing.
Be refreshed.