Dr. Frank R. Petruzielo,
superintendent,
Cherokee County School District;
Canton, Ga.
What has been the most dramatic impact you have seen on the classroom experience as a result of increased connectivity?
Increased connectivity has had a dramatic effect on the expansion of learning beyond the four walls of the classroom. Teachers are connecting students with experts in the workplace, as well as students from other parts of the world, and they are giving their students a voice in a global society.
As students are increasingly "connected," school leaders stress the need for face-to-face communication. Could technology reliance replace human interaction?
Technology is better utilized to support interpersonal communications than to replace it. Building a strong foundation in traditional communication skills can enhance the communication ability of the "connected" individual. The human interaction aspect is multiplied, not diminished, by the fact that we are not limited to only those we meet on a daily basis.
What are some of the career fields that will rely most heavily on connectivity?
Connectivity affects nearly every future career field. It has leveled the playing field for many countries, businesses and employees, effectively flattening the globe. Whether it is the medical field having real-time access to information or financial institutions relying on transmittals of financial assets -- most fields already demand connectivity.
How has connectivity changed face-to-face interactions?
Face-to-face meetings and conversations are very valuable, but technology is allowing us this connectivity where otherwise it might be impossible. Collaboration can now occur online. With improved connectivity, face-to-face meetings still occur; but now, they are facilitated with the use of webcams and videoconferencing solutions.
Today connectivity is characterized by the Internet and wireless devices. What do you think it will look like in the future?
Students view technology as an extension of themselves. Someday, technology may be something we put on as easily as we put on our shoes or something implanted that we don't have to think about each morning. Holographic-based Internet companions could provide information on demand, and holography will be the basis for face-to-face communications.
Wendy Colby,
senior vice president of marketing,
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Learning Technology
What has been the most dramatic impact you have seen on the classroom experience as a result of increased connectivity?
Students are moving from passive to participative learning, and they are demanding more interaction than ever before. I was in an elementary classroom in Texas recently, and the students were spread throughout the room, working through digital courses, simulations and labs presented on an interactive whiteboard. The teacher had become the facilitator -- the expert coach.
As students are increasingly "connected," school leaders stress the need for face-to-face communication. Could technology reliance replace human interaction?
Without a doubt, music, gaming and video are hugely influencing social behaviors and learning preferences. Students are turning to digital media first to express themselves. They prefer IM over e-mail and text messaging over talking on the phone. However, I don't think that will ever replace the desire for human interaction.
What are some of the career fields that will rely most heavily on connectivity?
Children as young as 1 or 2 years old participate in some form of on-screen media activity, and many are using computers by 3. We still see the divide between digital immigrants and digital natives, but these lines are beginning to blur. The expectations for connectivity will increasingly become an imperative to career success in any field.
How has connectivity changed face-to-face interactions?
Kids today expect to stay in contact with their friends whenever they want through text messaging, social networking, e-mail and GPS systems. They still like going to the school dance or to the local movie theater with their friends, but often you can find them taking videos with their cell phones that will later end up on YouTube.
Today connectivity is characterized by the Internet and wireless devices. What do you think it will look like in the future?
We have an opportunity to tap into the power of technology to transform teaching and learning in ways that reach today's students. As the Internet becomes more accessible and the devices more affordable, we open up frontiers and we increase the global dialogue in ways that empower our education system, our society and our economy.
Karen A. Stout,
president
Montgomery County Community College;
Blue Bell, Penn.
What has been the most dramatic impact you have seen on the classroom experience as a result of increased connectivity?
I see increased expectations of our students for more technology usage in instruction. Students are selecting courses based on a faculty member's use of technology, and that is motivating our faculty to make their courses and coursework as connected as possible.
As students are increasingly "connected," school leaders stress the need for face-to-face communication. Could technology reliance replace human interaction?
Technology reliance will never replace human interaction. However, human interaction can come in many forms and, in some cases, technology-enabled human interaction can be just as powerful as low-tech human interaction. Colleges will be increasingly challenged to offer students the right blend to meet individual learning styles.
What are some of the career fields that will rely most heavily on connectivity?
I can't imagine a career field of the future that won't rely heavily on connectivity.
How has connectivity changed face-to-face interactions?
In some cases, connectivity has enriched face-to-face interactions, especially in learning environments where faculty uses technology to supplement the traditional experience. Connectivity also changes what we traditionally think of as face-to-face interactions. Some students consider visiting a school counselor on Second Life a face-to-face interaction.
Today connectivity is characterized by the Internet and wireless devices. What do you think it will look like in the future?
At a conference on Information Technology, a presenter said that an average college student carries as many as nine mobile devices -- all with online capability. I see a future where these devices morph into one -- affordable and small -- giving students equal opportunity and access to the power of this connected world.
June Monaghan,
School Board president,
Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District;
Manor, N.Y.
What has been the most dramatic impact you have seen on the classroom experience as a result of increased connectivity?
In the Briarcliff Manor School District, teachers depend on technology. Interactive whiteboards have re-energized many teachers. They use Web-based resources, as well as network and cable for current events. Videoconferencing forms the basis for our successful marine science course. Blackboard is used by many teachers for secure asynchronous communication with students.
As students are increasingly "connected," school leaders stress the need for face-to-face communication. Could technology reliance replace human interaction?
Online high schools are becoming increasingly popular, but they are best for students with health problems, needing to study from home. K--12 students need the nurturing and encouragement that come best with face-to-face. We are looking to increase virtual face-to-face through videoconferencing to provide more human interaction to different cultures across the state, country and world.
What are some of the career fields that will rely most heavily on connectivity?
With many service jobs moving to other countries, we are increasingly depending on innovation and technology for our future. "Self-contained" professions, such as the medical profession, rely increasingly on connectivity. School administrators will have to be technologically competent in many applications.
How has connectivity changed face-to-face interactions?
On the positive side, increased bandwidth has made possible realistic face-to-face opportunities via videoconference. The increased ability to communicate remotely coupled with greater demands in the workplace and cost of travel has reduced traditional face-to-face interaction.
Today connectivity is characterized by the Internet and wireless devices. What do you think it will look like in the future?
The increasing miniaturization of technology, including the future use of nano materials will lead to ubiquitous computing and the rise of the connectivity between people and things. The Internet and wireless technology will continue to evolve and be imbedded into smaller and more specialized devices.
Frank O'Meara and Henry Bacon,
students,
Sunset Ridge School;
Northfield, Ill.
What has been the most dramatic impact you have seen on the classroom experience as a result of increased connectivity?
Forums and chat rooms in technology have taught us to teach ourselves. We can ask questions, and answers are just a click away.
As students are increasingly "connected," school leaders stress the need for face-to-face communication. Could technology reliance replace human interaction?
No, interaction is an important tool. Many students ask us how to do things, and we can individually show the student how to create the project.
What are some of the career fields that will rely most heavily on connectivity?
IT and Web 2.0 graphic designers.
How has connectivity changed face-to-face interactions?
You are already up-to-date on tech stuff, and you can talk about new technologies.
Today connectivity is characterized by the Internet and wireless devices. What do you think it will look like in the future?
There will be no fiber-optic cables. Everything will be satellite -- everyone is connected. Education will be dramatically different with virtual worlds for learning, touch screens, holograms and online learning.
*This story is from Converge magazine's Fall 2008 issue.
