Sony Lab & History

Taking this course has renewed and inspired my beliefs about the integration of technology in the education system. More importantly, how these changes directly affect the classroom as a means to enhance and enrich the learning environment. Until a few weeks ago, I had never been to nor heard of the Sony Wonder Technology Lab. However, the learning possibilities and opportunities presented are vast! I feel by integrating the Sony Wonder Lab into a history museum allows students significantly more freedom for exploration and meaningful learning through using technology. Our students are products of their environment-almost any type of technology. They can’t remember their multiplication tables or homework; however, they know how to navigate the web, send a text message, and download their favorite songs onto their i Pods. Through technology, students gain access to places impossible to visit, and therefore, comprehend. Informational technology enriches and enhances learning in a more meaningful way. Integrating technology with any museum makes learning about the past meaningful and current. Whether it is virtual tours, listening to pod casts, interacting with touch tone screens- all the aforementioned are part of students’ reality and comprehension. Whether learning about an artist-a student can be simultaneously learning about the history at that moment in time, having immediate feedback and understanding what may have been influencing factors to that artist or era. For example, in the Sony Wonder Technology Lab, one particular station I learned about hurricanes. After questions were posed and immediate feedback was given on whether the decisions I made were appropriate for the scenario presented. Having the feedback gives greater understanding because the choices made were personalized. Not only if the choices were appropriate, but there was an explanation to each decision I made. This was personalized and meaningful, as educators, isn't this what we strive for each student’s education. Technology is a vital resource; the possibilities to enrich and enhance learning are endless.