Module 2- Tetrad

(Excuse the additional tabs on the Tetrad :-))

Module 2 Blog Assignment-
Topic Assignment- Smart Phones

Enhances: What does this technology do that is new?

Smart Phones offer features that help keep users organized, entertained, and connected to others (eHow, 2010). Smart phones provide consumers with mobile email, computing ability, 4 G network, and social networking (to name a few of its many components); whereas before, all these features had to be completed from a laptop or desktop. Now, smart phones are keeping up with the demands of society. The new features consist of 3D GPS system and Skyping from your phone.

Obsoletes: What does this technology replace?

Smart phones replace expensive software, dial up connection, and desktops/personal computers. A smart phone allows the user to install and run much advanced applications based on a specific platform (Answers, 2010). Smart phones have 3G/4G networks which makes available instant access to the internet. Lastly, a smart phone gives individuals ample range instead of confinement to a desk.

Retrieves/Rekindles: What does this technology bring to mind (or retrieve) from the past?

A smart phone may be thought of as a handheld computer integrated within a mobile telephone (Answers, 2010). The Smartphone is closely linked to the mini handheld computer. An example of the mini handheld computer is the Symbol PDT 1100. Symbol PDT 1100 has data collection and management solutions for virtually every market, allowing a choice of operating systems, capabilities, size and weight, and scanning and wireless LAN solutions (Motorola, 2010). The major problem for mini handheld computers being adopted was the price.

Reverses: What might replace this technology in the future, or what might it cause to occur?

In the future, Smart phones will be replaced by mobile computers. In 2015, these powerful laptops replacements will provide true multitasking where you can run Spotify to stream audio, chat over an IM client, process EXIF data for a massive photo collection, and even play World of Warcraft (Digital Trends, 2010). As society prepares for this big transition, Smart phones will continue to provide instant access, operating systems, and the demands of society.




References/Additional Websites:

Answers. (2010). Smartphone. Retrieved on June 28, 2010 from:
http://www.answers.com/topic/smartphone

Digital Trends. (2010). The future of smartphones: 2010-2015 and beyond. Retrieved on June
28, 2010 from: http://www.digitaltrends.com/features/the-future-of-smartphones-2010-
2015-and-beyond/

eHow. (2010). Information on pdas & smart phones. Retrieved on June 28, 2010 from:
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5880421_information-pdas-smart-phones.html

Motorola. (2010). Symbol technologies announce mini-handheld computer. Retrieved on June
28, 2010 from:
http://www.symbol.com/news/pressreleases/press_releases__portsys__mini-.html

Module 1

A current technology that has emerged within the last few years in education (K-12) is the Smart Board. With the big shift to a technology driven education system, Smart Boards are seen throughout American classrooms today. Combining the simplicity of a whiteboard with the power of a computer, the Smart Board interactive whiteboard engages students and audiences around the world (Smarttech.com, 2010).

The biggest problem associated with the Smart Board is the cost. The two vital parts of the Smart Board consists of the white board and the projector. The two together prices range from $3,000-$5,000 (http://jsguilkey.iweb.bsu.edu/professional/Technology/SMARTboard/SMART5.htm). With the country enduring economic hardship, many school districts are experiencing huge budget cuts. Less money means few supplies, especially the latest technology. An additional challenge of the Smart Board is that it requires training. Each teacher needs training in order to successfully use the Smart Board to its full potential for their students.

The societal needs that the Smart Board meets are: providing a huge visual, interactive (bringing the lesson to life), instant access (internet, videos, movie

Providing free training for all teachers upon the purchase of the Smart Board will make this product even better. Teachers will have the opportunity to ask questions and state concerns to the creators of the product. School districts will not have to worry about providing additional funding for training.

Additional resources about the Smart Board:

Pros and Cons of the Smart Board- http://unixgen.muohio.edu:8081/SMARTboards/Pros-and-Cons.html
Ease of Use of the Smart Board- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0U05WeXPGlk
All Smart Products- http://www.smarttech.com/us/Solutions/All+Products

Sources:

Smarttech.com. (2010). Products. Retrieved on June 13, 2010 from: http://www2
.smarttech.com/st/en-US/Products/SMART+Boards/default.htm

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