EDU6250 Journal #1 of 3

Schaffhauser, D. (2017). 5 Ed Tech Trends on the Way Out in 2017. T H E Journal, 44(2), 14-17.

SUMMARY/RECOMMENDATIONS
This article first and foremost points out the fact that every year ed-tech is either standing still, or completely crazy - and 2017 is no exception. The authors state that there are 5 topics that are not as "hot" as they once were. The trends that are supposedly on their way out are: 

1- Bans on cell phones: The author touches on the fact that students have SO much information at their finger tips, why would we take their cell phones away? Instead of buying a $100 graphing calculator, students can use the free desmos.com app on their phones.

2- Common Core:The main problem the author has with Common Core is just that - the name "Common Core". Basically there has just been so much drama politically in regards to these standards, that even just changing the name could make all the difference in student learning! The standards themselves are necessarily the problem.

3- Flipped learning: The author mentions that there is contradictory research out there about the effect of a "flipped classroom". Most teachers flip SOME lessons here or there, but it's not necessarily a hot topic or necessity. Of course, the author also mentions the problem of equity - what if some students don't have access?

4- Homework & Grading The author states that there isn't really much research currently on traditional homework, and that now it is getting even more complicated and a concern for parents. Students have access to more resources, so should they have more homework? If we are having flipped classrooms, will they have homework at home (learning) AND then more work at school (applying)? Are we grading them on their abilities to utilize technology? All questions that need to be considered!

5- Tablets: The use of tablets in schools supposedly is "no longer exciting". Another problem, is that people automatically think of an expensive $600 I-Pad when they hear the word tablet, and get turned off from the idea of having them. People need to realize that there are other tablets that do just as much for a fraction of that price. Devices like Chromebooks are on the rise, and tablets are on the decline while not obsolete. 

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REACTION
After reading this, I had to remind myself that just because someone wrote about it, doesn't make it true! There are still plenty of schools out there who haven't really had the opportunity to utilize these "trends" and can still benefit from them! I agree that cell phones can be a great tool in the classroom, BUT I am also super annoyed of my students who are trying to snapchat or text friends in the middle of a class presentation. There has to be a happy medium and a great set of rules in place in regards to cell phone usage - which is hard to do district and school wide. Standards are the basis of which we teach, however I agree with the fact that "Common Core" has  A LOT of negative connotations with it. I do agree that the way we give out homework/grade is changing, which should be because we are changing the way we are teaching and how students are learning - it just makes sense that it would all change together! Trends and "hot topics" are always going to be changing, we just need to find what works best for our students!