Key Elements for Success in Technology in Educational Projects

Introduction

• Speaker is delivering the presentation from Toronto, Canada.
• Focus is on four key tiers essential for technology success in education.

Four Key Tiers

1. Technology Affordances

• Transition from fixed-location computers to mobile technology.
• Learning can occur anywhere, creating a continuum of learning spaces.
• Encourage learning beyond traditional school and home settings.

2. Historical Research

• Research spans from 1945 to present on educational technology usage.
• Effective use involves exploration, creation, and data linking.
• Utilize diverse media: text, audio, images, movies.
• Rich visualizations such as maps, timelines, and non-traditional text visualizations.

3. Educational Models

• SAMR Model
  • Substitution: Technology replaces old methods; minimal impact.
  • Augmentation: Enhances old tasks; slight improvements.
  • Modification: Significant changes to accomplish new goals; notable improvements.
  • Redefinition: New tasks enabled by technology; dramatic improvements.
• TPACK Model
  • Integrates content knowledge, pedagogy, and technology equally.
• Unnamed Model
  • Based on Horizon Project report, identifying five categories:
    • Social (e.g., blogs, wikis, social media).
    • Mobile (location-aware technology).
    • Visualization (e.g., maps, network diagrams).
    • Digital Storytelling (integrating multiple media forms).
    • Educational Gaming (interactive and exploratory learning).

Focusing Layer

• Importance of teacher collaboration and institution-wide alignment using 21st-century principles.
• Design units of instruction incorporating at least two principles.
• Visit all principles over the academic year to ensure comprehensive educational transformation.

Conclusion

• Framework aims to assist in upcoming projects with the Lena team.
• Emphasizes the potential for transformative practice in educational institutions.
• Speaker expresses hope to engage in person soon.