Jason+Holcomb

Hi everyone, my name is Jason Holcomb. I’m a single parent of two wonderful sons that attend the same high school I teach at. Originally from Colorado and now live in Tennessee. Currently in my thirteenth year as a high school instructor. I teach computer aided drafting and design, (CADD) and construction technology. The students design and build a fifteen hundred square foot home each year. This house is then auctioned off and with the proceeds the students build another the following year. With all that said I would not be able to be working on my master’s degree if it wasn’t for online learning. Just to busy to attend traditional on campus learning. If I can give any advice to being a successful online learner, don’t procrastinate. Try do get initial discussion threads out of the way early in the week. This gives you the rest of the week to comment on classmate’s threads and complete other assignments. You will also get more feedback getting your initial thread in early.


 * Do you think technology integration goes beyond the classroom? Why or why not?

Technology integration goes way beyond the classroom. Technology integration involves all of society. The future of society cannot be considered without technology. Since the first generation of technology, it has systematically permeated society in countless ways. The ever apparent use of technology bridges the gap communicating across cultures, time and the world, revolutionizing the learning experience for all. The focus of integrating technology must not be confined just to the classroom The role of educational community, leaders as instructional entrepreneurs integrating a system supporting administrators, educators, and students in the twenty-first century schools are participants in integrating technology into our schools. The infamous Internet, evolving in the 1960’s, now keeps us all able to maximize our skills. Tapping into technology is a critical step to improve the growth of all nations. Yes and this growth does start at the student level. Those who are better able to acquire, sort, manipulate, report, and utilize information have power. For example: If principals learn to harness technology, they will reap three benefits: 1. Technology allows for acquisition of information 2. Technology assists the management of information 3. Technology enhances communication of information to others (Hughes, 1999). Reference: Hughes, Larry W. The Principal as Leader. Prentice Hall, 1999: 2nd Ed. Keller, Bess. (27 July 2005) “Teachers Flocking to Online Sources to Advance and Acquire Knowledge” Education Week: (vol. 24, issue 43, pages 22,24) www.edweek.org.


 * Do you think technology drives society, or does society drive technology? Explain your rationale using specific examples and defend your claims with evidence.

Technology is defiantly a key factor in todays society. For example: on how we all communicate. I don't now how most people would function without cell phones, internet, social networks, etc. I believe society is moving in such a rapid pace due to technology. What would business be without technology? Where would education, construction, transportation be with out the driving force due to technology integration? Society would come to a stand still with nowhere to go with the absence of technology. I believe technology is a vital player in the direction society is going.