Ubiquitous Computing as seen by University of Virginia's Glen Bull and Joe Garofalo

From the title to the completion, University of Virginia’s Glen Bull and Joe Garofalo’s “Ubiquitous Computing” calls for more. Bull and Garofalo’s use of the word ‘ubiquitous’ as their chosen adjective, strikes my interest from the start. Ubiquitous- that is everywhere at the same time; present everywhere. Is computing to this extent ever possible? With technology mishaps, dead zones in cellular service, malfunctioning machines and limited software, can computing be ever present?
Bull and Garofalo begin the article with 7 statements from the National Technology Leadership Retreat of 2002. Their goals are predictive, precise, preparatory and research driven. Bull and Garofalo provide information on current trends of computer usage among teens and their school systems and provide statistical reinforcement. Currently, the extent of student’s ubiquity is by the means of some type of a portable device like a flash drive or mp3 player. Cell phones are currently only being seen as a distraction in schools rather than a tool.
Providing students with some type of inexpensive, lightweight, portable computing device seems to have been sidetracked for various reasons. Rather, students are using several computers in various locations to complete work. By providing these inexpensive laptops to students, students would be able to streamline their computing and data storage into one portable, process-able, device.
Providing this device to students begs further questions regarding financing, student responsibility, staff training, and servicing. Should funding be provided for the device itself, schools should receive it with appreciation. However, it is not the end of expenses for our portable devices. Additional staff training, service, maintenance and replacement costs should be seriously considered as continual expenses as a result of implementation.
In 2000 Microsoft Corporation donated a considerable amount of computers to schools in Africa. This donation was appreciated and gladly accepted. However, schools were not equipped to train faculty, maintain the machines, or replace damaged machines. Littered across the continent are broken, dusty machines, frustrated faculty and needy students. When considering such implementation, it is imperative to consider the whole picture rather than just the initial excitement.
Educational institutes and educators alike need to be prepared for this new wave of technology in education. Students require new skills that students of 15 years ago did not require. In addition, educators must be equipped with new tools to teach such students in an environment much different than the chalk and chalkboard classroom of the past.
Research is being conducted. Pilot projects are being launched. The numbers are being collected and calculated. “Ubiquitous computing will be a disruptive cultural force with great potential for good or ill.” The wind of change is blowing. Are we open to it’s move?


The additional article I read can be found at:

http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te800.htm#test

I read an article by the North Central Regional Educational Labratory on recent investment into technology and subsequent yields. In the past 10 years school systems have invested in technology for their classrooms. They've spent thousands of dollars on these resources and many are asking how helpful they have really been for students. Students report that the use of the internet at home and at school helps them do better in school. Of the 87% of age 11-17 year old students that are using the internet, 78% say they are using it at school. Schools are becoming hubs for technology and the internet for their students.

It's great to see that researchers are finding positive results from our technology investments. It's great to see that so many students are getting access to the schools computers, rather than having them sit unused and ineffective. Technology is proving to be a worthwhile investment for schools. Students are using them for help on homework, projects and to communicate with other students on these assignments.

Researchers are saying that students are fundamentally different than students of a generation before. These 21st century students have grown up with technology and require different skills for the workplace than generations before them. Some suggest that all students should be technologically literate by 8th grade regardless of SES, race or ethnicity. Our educational system is in the midst of revolutionary changes in teaching styles, tools and technology for our classrooms. I suppose it will come at differnt times for each school district but it seems that there is coming a seperation for those who want to go with the new ways and tools for teaching and those who may be left behind. It's a new time, with new students who have new needs for a very different workplace.