Hufford Page 1

Eric Hufford
Edu 214
Emerging
Technology
November 4th,
2016

In the rapidly evolving world of emerging technology the education

field stands to benefit from the evolution the most. With technologies such
as 3D printers, cloud computing, and wearable technology students and
teachers both have the opportunity to benefit from the variety of uses these
devices can provide throughout their careers. These advancements can lead
to certain parts of todays students curriculum being considered technology
based, allowing them to learn in a manner that previous generations
wouldnt have been able to thus giving the new generation of students a
major advantage.
The first piece of emerging technology being used in todays classroom
is the 3D printer. This piece of technology allows for educators to create 3
dimensional models of the course material adding an extra teaching tool to
assist in difficult lessons. There are three different ways these printers can
work but each method converts a design to a variety of 2D parts which are
then combined to make the 3-dimensional object. The first method uses a

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collection of chemicals that becomes solid when a UV light is shone to it.
Once the first layer is completed it is lowered to allow the second layer to be
deposited on top of it. Multiple layers are built and placed on top of each
other until the design is finished (Physics.org. 2016). The second method a
3D printer used involves the use of molten ink, sometimes chocolate or
cheese are substituted as well. These materials become solid as they emerge
from the head of the printer. In this method, the designs are drawn out by
the ink and then created in the same manner of stacking created pieces. The
final method uses a powdered material which is heated together or held
together by glue to create the finished product (physics.org, 2016).
The application of the 3D printer can vary from different age groups
but is being introduced early in a students life. The application of the 3D
printer in the younger classrooms can be used to introduce such advanced
technology into the young students lives and ignite their imaginations. These
younger students can do things such as print a 3-dimensional map of the
country they are studying in geography or watch their art project become
printed into physical reality. The use of such technology only increases in
value and use as the student advances grade level. In high school, a student
is given the opportunity to use the device in a variety of different ways.
Whether it is a chemistry student printing out a 3D version of a molecule or a
biology student studying the function of the human heart, 3D printers allow
the student to have tangible study material to help meet their needs
(3ders.org, 2016).

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The application of 3D printers in the education community is not only
important for the students but it offers the teachers priceless and tangible
teaching material. For instance, a professor at Penn State University is using
this technology to teach students about the human brain. Using a program
called Brain3M, the Penn State Social Science Research Institute hopes to
educate students on the anatomy, function, and evolutionary process of the
human brain all using 3D printing (Alec, B, 2016).
Another brilliant for of emerging technology in todays educational
system is cloud computing. Cloud computing is a technology that allows
computers to share processing resources and computer data on demand.
This technology gives the user the ability to store and and process their data
through a third-party database rather than the computers hard drive
allowing for easier management of data and the storage of mass amounts of
data. Cloud computing benefits schools in a variety of different ways that
may come as a surprise.
Cloud computing is limiting the requirement and cost of textbooks in
modern school systems. This technology has the capability to offer electronic
material that can be accessed and used online for a considerable amount
cheaper than the cost of a hard textbook. It also allows for the immediate
update of all information and materials eliminating the issue of outdated
materials. Along with the fact that this kind of technology is very cost
effective it also is doing a great job at broadening the demographic of
students affected by its benefits. It allows students of all ages who may

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struggle in a traditional classroom setting to continue their education online
instead (Bhatia, 2014).
The third type of emerging technology being used into todays
educational setting is wearable technology. Wearable technology is a broad
spectrum of devices that all assist in simplifying everyday tasks. With the
prevalence of mobile phones in todays society wearable technology such as
Google glasses and smart watches are becoming a major vocal point in
education. With the use of Google glasses in the classroom the process of
learning has been accelerated because it allows teachers to capture learning
experiences and share them directly with their students. This technology
allows the teacher to make videos or capture pictures at any time enhancing
storytelling or giving the children perspective on what is being taught. Quite
possibly the most fascinating feature of this device is the ability to track
attendance via facial recognition. It also has a feature that allows the teacher
to send the report cards of the students directly to the parents increasing
parent teacher relations (Burton, 2016).
Smart watches are also being incorporated into classrooms today as an
accurate way to display information. Considered east to use, smart watches
can also allow students to communicate directly with their teachers aiding
them if they are too shy to ask a question in front of the class. This allows
the teacher to answer the question in front of the classroom without
addressing the student individually. Smart watches and other wearable
technology can also assist in notifying the students of any assignment

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changes or adjustments made to the curriculum. Wearable technology has a
wide variety of benefits that apply to educators and students alike and is
definitely at the forefront of the emerging technology in todays world of
education.
Though these emerging technologies are often viewed as something to
aid teachers in education it is a very real possibility that in the future these
devices could be the primary form of educating seen in classrooms. The
technologies allow students to learn and engage material in a way that prior
to their creation would have otherwise not been possible. It is imperative
that the educators are proficient with these new developments because they
can assist the teaching process in such a positive way the students would be
able to reap the endless benefits.
Quite possibly the most important contribution of these emerging
technologies is the ability for the student to not only connect with the
individuals in their classrooms, but also to connect with other students
throughout the world. With the importance of these methods clear education
systems should focus funding and integrating such technology into the
classroom so the future of our society has the extraordinary benefit of
learning with these emerging technologies.

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Alec, B. (n.d.). Penn State turns to 3D printing to teach students about the
brain in Brain3M educational program. Retrieved October 04, 2016, from
http://www.3ders.org/articles/20160914-penn-state-turns-to-3d-printing-toteach-students-about-brains-in-brain3m-educational-program.html
Bhatia, S., Leinwand, A., C., Continelli, A., Souza, E. D., & Pientka, J. (2014).
Sameer Bhatia. Retrieved November 01, 2016, from
http://cloudtweaks.com/2014/12/cloud-computing-education-growth/

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How does 3D printing work?| Explore | physics.org. Retrieved October 04,
2016, from http://www.physics.org/article-questions.asp?id=120
Inforgraphic: How 3D Printing Will Revolutionize the Classroom. (n.d.).
Retrieved November 01, 2016, from http://www.3ders.org/articles/20130221inforgraphic-how-3d-printing-will-revolutionize-the-classroom.html
Inforgraphic: How 3D Printing Will Revolutionize the Classroom. (n.d.).
Retrieved November 04, 2016, from http://www.3ders.org/articles/20130221inforgraphic-how-3d-printing-will-revolutionize-the-classroom.html