Emerging Technologies

New technologies are being created and made available at a rapid pace.  Many of these technologies claim to be able to revolutionize teaching and learning in the classroom.  Some are cheap or even free, while others can be quite expensive.

Many districts across the country attempt to be on the "cutting edge", and adopt these new technologies almost as rapidly as they are made available. Other districts wait, sometimes for years, before "jumping on board." They wait for sufficient data to be collected and analyzed to show the efficacy of these technologies before expending the money, time, and training required for adoption. However, if all districts waited, where would the data come from? Catch 22!

As we have looked at some of these emerging technologies, what are your thoughts on the adoption process. Would you prefer your district be an early adopter, or wait for the data to prove its worth? If you are given leeway to use new technologies, will you be an early adopter or wait for the proof to come in?