Classroom Technology Tools And Trends
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) are critical to 21st Century Learning. To show disciplines that prepare students to compete in the workforce of the future and to face the challenges of a global society. As more schools offer STEM programs, Gen7’s classroom design has adapted to fulfill the needs and educational mission of a curriculum that encourages problem-solving, critical thinking, innovation and collaboration within a sustainable space. Spacious and bright, with superior air quality and premium acoustics, Gen7 STEM is a healthy, inspiring, student-focused learning environment that promotes engagement, while providing the adaptability to evolve with changing technology and program needs.
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VISUALIZATION TECHNOLOGIES
#1 Augmented Reality
Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience of a real-world environment where the objects that reside in the real-world are enhanced by computer-generated perceptual information, sometimes across multiple sensory modalities, including visual, auditory, haptic, somatosensory and olfactory.The overlaid sensory information can be constructive (i.e. additive to the natural environment), or destructive (i.e. masking of the natural environment). This experience is seamlessly interwoven with the physical world such that it is perceived as an immersive aspect of the real environment.[3] In this way, augmented reality alters one's ongoing perception of a real-world environment, whereas virtual reality completely replaces the user's real-world environment with a simulated one. Augmented reality is related to two largely synonymous terms: mixed reality and computer-mediated reality.
Augmented reality has many different implementation models and applications, but its primary objective is to provide a rich audiovisual experience. AR works by employing computerized simulation and techniques such as image and speech recognition, animation, head-mounted and hand-held devices and powered display environments to add a virtual display on top of real images and surroundings.
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Pokémon Go creates an augmented reality experience.
The game allows users to see characters bouncing around in their own town.
Here at TechnoNerd, we upload videos regularly about Futuristic Technologies, Latest Gadgets, and Trending Inventions.#2 Virtual Reality
Virtual Reality (VR) is the use of computer technology to create a simulated environment. Unlike traditional user interfaces, VR places the user inside an experience. Instead of viewing a screen in front of them, users are immersed and able to interact with 3D worlds.
Virtual Reality Technology
Virtual Reality’s most
immediately-recognizable component is the head-mounted display (HMD). Human
beings are visual creatures, and display technology is often the single biggest
difference between immersive Virtual Reality systems and traditional user
interfaces. For instance, CAVE automatic virtual environments
actively display virtual content onto room-sized screens. While they
are fun for people in universities and big labs, consumer and industrial
wearables are the wild west.
With a multiplicity of emerging hardware and
software options, the future of wearables is unfolding but yet unknown.
Concepts such as the HTC Vive Pro Eye, Oculus Quest and Playstation VR are
leading the way, but there are also players like Google, Apple, Samsung, Lenovo
and others who may surprise the industry with new levels of immersion and
usability. Whomever comes out ahead, the simplicity of buying a helmet-sized
device that can work in a living-room, office, or factory floor has made HMDs
center stage when it comes to Virtual Reality technologies.

Bravemind is a VR
application designed to help military veterans that served in Iraq
and Afghanistan battle post-traumatic stress disorder
DIGITAL STRATEGIES
#3 Makerspace
Makerspace is a
constructivist and constructionist movement that is taking the world by storm!
Imagine DIY meets education! Makerspace is not only a hackshop where you can go
to learn how to use an arc welder for the afternoon, but an educational concept
as well! A makerspace presents readily-available materials that can act
as a provocation for inquiry, as well as modern technology and items to invent
with.
Makerspace In Education
To define a school makerspace by its
purpose and simplest of terms, it is a place where young people have an
opportunity to explore their own interests; learn to use tools and materials,
both physical and virtual; and develop creative projects.
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ultimate makerspace resource guide header
#2 BYOD
BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) is gaining popularity in many schools as a way of increasing access to technology without the cost of purchasing a device for each student. This toolkit is designed to help you evaluate the pros, cons and logistics of bringing student-owned technology into the classroom.
When students are allowed to bring their own devices to school, the district is not required to purchase as many tablets or laptops. These savings can then be directed towards other technological advancements, such as the acquisition of interactive whiteboards.
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INTERNET TECHNOLOGY
CLOUD COMPUTING
Cloud computing is a general
term for anything that involves delivering hosted services over the Internet.
These services are broadly divided into three categories:
Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) and
Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). The name cloud computing was inspired by the
cloud symbol that's often used to represent the Internet in flowcharts and
diagrams.

Private cloud services are delivered from a
business's data center to internal users. This model offers the versatility and
convenience of the cloud, while preserving the management, control and security
common to local data centers. Internal users may or may not be billed for
services through IT chargeback. Common private cloud technologies and vendors
include VMware and OpenStack.
In the public cloud model, a third-party cloud
service provider delivers the cloud service over the internet. Public cloud
services are sold on demand, typically by the minute or hour, though long-term
commitments are available for many services. Customers only pay for the CPU
cycles, storage or bandwidth they consume. Leading public cloud service
providers include Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, IBM and Google
Cloud Platform.
A hybrid cloud is a combination of public cloud
services and an on-premises private cloud, with orchestration and automation
between the two. Companies can run mission-critical workloads or sensitive
applications on the private cloud and use the public cloud to handle workload
bursts or spikes in demand.The goal of a hybrid cloud is to create a unified,
automated, scalable environment that takes advantage of all that a public cloud
infrastructure can provide, while still maintaining control over
mission-critical data.
21st C TREND
CODING AS NEW LITERACY
Changing Definitions of Literacy. Literacy, defined most
simply, is the ability to read and write. Literacy involves a
continuum of learning in enabling individuals to achieve their goals, to
develop their knowledge and potential, and to participate fully in their
community and wider society.
MOOC- MASSIVE OPEN ONLINE COURSES
A massive open online course (MOOC /muːk/) is an
online course aimed at unlimited participation and open access via the web. MOOCs are a recent
and widely researched development in distance education, first introduced
in 2006 and emerged as a popular mode of learning in 2012.
British Council's MOOC courses are available
on FutureLearn - a UK’s social learning platform owned by the Open University,
with experience in distance learning and online education of over 40 years.
We offer a list of MOOCs focusing on various
topics. The British Council “Understanding IELTS” MOOC has broken the world
record as the biggest MOOC ever with more than 440, 000 learners taking part
since its launch.
A description of the five steps that will help you succeed in a MOOC.
OER-OPEN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Open educational resources (OER) are free and openly licensed
educational materials that can be used for teaching, learning, research, and
other purposes.
Open Education " is the simple and powerful idea that the
world’s knowledge is a public good and that technology in general and the Web
in particular provide an extraordinary opportunity for everyone to share, use,
and reuse knowledge."
Materials for teaching or learning that are either in the public domain or have been released under a license that allows them to be freely used, changed, or shared with others.