Running With Scissors
Life on The Bleeding EdgeDavid D. Thornburg, PhD
Director, Global Operations, Thornburg CenterHarvey Thornburg, PhD
Asst. Prof. Arts, Media and Engineering, Arizona State UniversityAbstract:
There are two ways of thinking about change in educational practice: extrapolation from the past, and anticipation of the future. Not surprisingly, many current applications of technology in education are extrapolations of practice developed years ago. This presentation by two pioneers in the field (one old, one young) explores the use of powerful technologies that break the mold of past practice to foster creative processes in students as they develop mastery of core subjects in completely new ways that address the diversity of their backgrounds and learning styles. The technologies explored in this presentation are currently being developed in research labs throughout the world. Some of them will come to market soon, and some will not. All of them, however, are worth knowing about since they point to new ways of thinking about technology that can be applied to the tools we have at our disposal today.
Imagine a learning environment in which virtual worlds appear as immersive three-dimensional objects you can manipulate as if they were physical objects. Imagine a paint brush that can pick up colors from physical objects and then paint with these colors on a screen. Imagine a dance floor where students can explore advanced physics concepts through body movement with feedback provided by inexpensive intelligent objects carried by each child. Imagine a school laboratory where students can build just about anything he or she can think up – a new bicycle, or an alarm clock that wakes you up when you get more than twenty e-mails.
All of these developments, and more, will be explored in this session in the context of inquiry-driven project-based learning.
Presentation type.... 1 hour keynote or breakout session Audience................ all Handouts................ Resource list Requirements......... Broadband Internet access Dr. Thornburg will gladly tailor any presentation to your specific needs.
