http://rmtc.fsdb.k12.fl.us/tutorials/whiteboards.html
• Identify a current technology that has emerged in the last few years that shapes learning or productivity in your industry.
The Mimio turns any classroom whiteboard into an interactive whiteboard. It has approximately the same instructional potential as a SmartBoard, in that the teacher can create full-class, interactive lessons with documents, maps, templates, and the Internet. The Mimio is connected to the teacher’s desktop and projected with an LCD. In essence, the classroom whiteboard then becomes “the computer monitor.” The writing tool, which is similar to a marker, becomes “the mouse.”
• What problems or challenges have been associated with this technology?
There are many issues or problems that have been associated with this product. The product is very expensive for my districts liking. Therefore, only one of these was purchased for each school. This innovation is located and housed on a rolling art for the quick access for each of the teachers. With this in mind, there is always a waiting list for teachers to utilize this innovation in their classrooms. In addition, proper training was not forded to the teachers to adequately utilize this innovation without careful supervision from the tech department or someone with expertise. Utilizing this product sometimes becomes more trouble than actual using it.
• What societal need does it meet, and what are its benefits?
Living in a technological era, many students are technological enhanced way beyond many adults. This must be true in order for these students to compete with other students globally. With this in mind, as educators, we must educate these students according to their interests while giving them the essential skills needed for their next academic or career level. The use of this innovation does exactly this, educate students while preparing them for the future.
• What would make this technology even better, avoiding the pitfalls you identified?
Extensive training for this product will be a major plus. It is impossible for educators to learn how to utilize and implement a product effectively with one training session. Therefore, several sessions would be needed as well as hands on experimenting. Modeled lessons and monitoring will be a must in order for educators to learn to use this innovation effectively. In addition, purchasing this product for each of the classrooms would make this technology even better. No waiting in line! Technology at our fingertip and effective training would cure the current pitfalls that surround this innovation in my school.
Evonie,
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I would love to see the Mimio in action. I think it would be a great tool to use in the classroom. It is sad though, that you have received this expensive tool to use in the classroom and have only received one hour of training. Seems that lack of training is not only happening in my district, but other districts as well. I will never understand why technology is purchased without proper training.
Do you get to use the Mimio often? It is a good sign that teachers are signing up to use this tool.
There is great frustration when we are able to use it. From the one hour training, our abilities or knowledge of using the Mimio is limited, very limited. Therefore, we are not getting the full effects of the product. On average, I would say that I have used it once a month. (Shaking my head) This is very sad. For this reason alone, the fear of this product slowly creeping into the back closet is highly possible. The frustration of not being able to use it and not knowing how to use it is going to cause this expensive innovation to die before it is fully explored.
ReplyDeleteEvonie,
ReplyDeleteI have not had the opportunity to experience the Mimio nor the Smartboard but I have heard rave reviews about the Smartboard from my sister who has. She told me it really catches the students' attention and really brings them into the lesson. Any form of technology that can make middle school students focus is genius. It is sad however that price and training are some of the obstacles to the use of them in the classroom at your school. I'm sure it could make a major difference in student performance if given the opportunity to be fully implemented in the school.
I agree. The Mimio does sound like a great device. I agree with the frustration of only 1 hour trainings. It seems that if they want us to really use the material, they would set up follow up trainings to check our progress and/or satisfaction.
ReplyDelete