1

Running head: EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

Using Emerging Technology in the Classroom

Morgan Briscoe
Professor Corrine Blake
Edu 214 Preparing Teachers to Use Technology
November 4, 2016

Running head: EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

Abstract
This paper explores three types of emerging technologies and how they can be implemented in
the classroom. The three emerging technologies in order are, wearable technology, learning
analytics, and cloud computing. I have researched each of these and show you my findings by
addressing how they can be used in a classroom at grade levels k-12, how they impact learning
and instruction, and how they can benefit a classroom. Wearable technology can be used as a
motivational tool for all grades and teachers can access the information collected. Learning
analytics can teach students responsibility and teachers can use it to help guide the students
falling behind. Cloud computing can be an amazing technological tool to students and teachers
by keeping everyone up with the highest quality of education and resources. All of these
emerging technologies are amazing and should be available at all grade levels in some one form
or another.

Running head: EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

Wearing Technology
There is new wearable technology being invented every year. We have wearable
technology such as Fitbit, Myo, Forceband, and Apples iWatch. Keeping with the new and
exciting we should be able to integrate this into our education system. These wearable
technologies can be used for motivation. The Fitbit can let the wearer know where they went and
how long they spent doing activities. This would be great to use in grades k-12 in physical
education and even extra curriculums after schools. Teachers or coaches can make the goal of
specific steps per day or class period. Students will strive to meet these goals. It will always be
exciting and interesting for a student to see how they do. Keeping it exciting motivates them to
work harder.
The Myo is this new remote technology you can wear on your arm and it helps you to
control objects programmed to it like a mouse to a computer. These objects can be as simple as a
PowerPoint or a little more advanced like a drone. The Myo is used with hand and eye
coordination. This would be extremely beneficial to help students increase and work on fine
motor skills and concentration using the hand and eye coordination. I would love to see this used
in a special education class with low functioning students to better their fine motor skills in a fun
and interactive way. Star Wars made a fun toy that works similar to Myo called the Forceband.
You use this wristband to control a little BB8 droid. This at school can help again with students
with low functional skills to try to slowly gain control in functional motor skills.
Wearable technology can be used at all levels for all different kinds of educational needs.
Occupational therapists at schools would love wearable technology as a tool to keep track of
things when they are not present and that can be implemented by the teacher. Using Fitbits or
technology similar can help students with reminders for a daily basis. At elementary schools

Running head: EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

students with special education have specific times for specific subjects. Having something as
simple as a watch to remind them it is time for resource room, can give students responsibility
and have one less thing for the teacher to remember.
Learning Analytics
Learning analytics is a software that can be used by students and teachers. It helps to
measure, collect, and analyze data of students. Right now learning analytics are used in higher
education. I believe that it could be beneficial to all grade levels. All it would take is to have this
program molded to be friendly for every grade level. This program does not work alone to help
students succeed. Learning analytics gives the teachers and students information on how the
student is doing and how to best move forward. It is like Netflix or Pandora predicting what you
should watch or listen to next.
The student side of this program would be a list of their subjects and a simple red or
green light indicating if they are predicted to succeed or not in that subject. Predictions are only
made in the middle, not in the beginning or end of a course. At lower grade levels this can be
great if presented appropriately to students. Telling them that it means that they are not passing
would not be the best way to word it. A good way to let a class know is when a teacher first
introduces the program to say that the green light means you are doing great and the red light
means that you need to try your best and to practice more. This in grades k-12 is a great tool to
help the parents be involved also. Making learning analytics more popular in the classroom and
sticking with it can help teach the students responsibility from the beginning of their school
careers.
Teachers will be shown when an intervention should be put in place for a specific student.
It also lets the teacher know where the student is struggling specifically. That way the teacher can

Running head: EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

do their part in implementing something different to help the student understand. Learning
analytics can only help so much. It is up to the teacher to follow through with the information
given. Without action the program becomes ineffective. This would work amazing in helping
students that are already in special education. It can also help with students who have not yet
been placed in special education but should be.
Special education can be helped so much using learning analytics for teachers and
students. When teachers are writing IEPs (Individualized Education Program) for students, using
learning analytic programs can help to determine benchmark goals to help point the student in
the right direction moving forward. Everyone benefits in using it. Students see their progress and
know where they need improvement and teachers use this data to provide the help students need.
Cloud computing
Cloud computing is an emerging software being used more and more in almost every
work place. Cloud computing on an educational level can be the best thing to happen to
education in forever, in my opinion. I have seen cloud computing being used at schools with all
the teachers and administration as ways to communicate. While it is great to have cloud
computing introduced to our school system already, what cloud computing should be used for is
textbooks and learning materials. Textbooks are the source of all evil. If our education system
would use a cloud system on textbooks the world would be a better place. The cloud system
would alleviate a lot of our money problems in the education system.
Right now there are textbooks in elementary and middle schools that are seven years old.
Implementing textbooks on a cloud computing software would make our school system finally
up to date. It would not only make it currently up to date but it would also update all the time in
real time. So we would not have to have a new history book every year or one out of date from

Running head: EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

seven years ago. We could have textbooks that are constantly staying with what is current.
Students that have failed the traditional school system can use the cloud as an alternative method
also. This way everyone can feel their needs are met with each of their individual different
learning styles.
Cloud computing is so easy to love. It is a wonder as to why it has not yet been
introduced as a nationwide mandate. It would cut the costs in so many ways. Cloud computing
software currently is extremely cheap or free to use. Using smartphones in the classroom would
be the cheaper route when accessing a cloud and it would be cheaper than supplying each student
with a laptop. Teachers and students will have access to the highest quality of education and
resources.
Conclusion
All new technology is exciting. So why dont we find a way to make it part of our
education system? In my research I read an article by Andy Powell saying, This need for change
has never been more pressing. It is not due to the fault of any individual, any school or even any
one political party but due to the simple fact the world has changed - and our education system
has not changed fast enough.
Working in the school system I see that the way they introduce students to new subject
matter is by breaking it down in to very small steps. They dont just carry the one right away like
we were taught when regrouping. They break it down to answer why we do it first. They make
students use manipulatives and show them in small simple steps. That is the way that we should
be teaching technology. It should start at the beginning when students first start kindergarten. It
should mostly be introduced in the lower grades and then slowly they get to play with the
technology and learn more.

Running head: EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

Technology can be amazing because it is so fun to learn and play with. We need to keep
up with each generations to come by keeping up with the technology. There are new programs
and gadgets being invented all the time. I think we should keep teaching the with the same step
by step method but I think we should be implementing more technology along with it. With
every type of technology students should be taught how it works in grades k-5. Then they should
maybe be taught how to use more programs and even master it a little in middle school. In the
high school level students could become creators of their own technology so to say. They can set
their own goals on Fitbit and even help manage their time. Students can research the things
learning analytics programs tell them to do. Cloud computing can be the thing to help the nation
as a whole stay up to date in real time.
Everyone should know the movie Back to the Future II. I think we want to live in that
time where everything around us is technology. The best way to start is to help the next
generation become smarter than us and to help raise our next scientist or inventors.

Running head: EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

References
7 Things You Should Know About NGDLE. (2015, December 9). Retrieved from
https://library.educause.edu/resources/2015/12/7-things-you-should-know-about-ngdle
Bhatia, S. (2014, December 03). Cloud Computing. Retrieved from
http://cloudtweaks.com/2014/12/cloud-computing-education-growth/
I. (2016, October 17). Implementing Wearable Technology at Schools Boosts Engagement,
Motivation. Retrieved from
http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2016/10/implementing-wearabletechnology-schools-boosts-engagement-motivation
Lever-Duffy, J., McDonald, J. B., & Mizell, A. P. (2003). Teaching and learning with
technology. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Parslow, G. R. (2014). Commentary: Educational technology for the next five years: The NMC
horizon report. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, 42(3), 2-47.
doi:10.1002/bmb.20790
Pierce, B. D. (2015, August 25). 3 Ways Mobile Technology Is Transforming Learning Spaces
THE Journal. Retrieved October 20, 2016, from
https://thejournal.com/Articles/2015/08/25/3-Ways-Mobile-Technology-Is-TransformingLearning-Spaces.aspx?Page=1
Powell, A. (n.d.). We need an education system that excites children. Retrieved from
http://www.teachingtimes.com/articles/revolution-education-system.htm
Vallurupalli, S., Paydak, H., Agarwal, S. K., Agarwal, M., & Assad-Kottner, C. (2013,

Running head: EMERGING TECHNOLOGY

December). Wearable technology to improve education and patient outcomes in a
cardiology fellowship program - a feasibility study. Retrieved from
http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12553-013-0065-4