Inside a Cyber Studio: Amber Rowland

Due to the popular response I've decided to issue two columns a week instead of one. I will post one at the beginning (monday/tuesday) of the week and then one at the end (friday). Otherwise, it would just take to long to get through all of them.
Keep in mind the questions might change from time to time (especially as technology changes), and I'm looking to provide other formats as well (audio/video).

I hope you all find this to be a fun/exciting journey as we get to learn a bit more about each other and why we love technology & education.

Amber Rowland
site: http://techrich.ning.com/profile/AmberRowland

1. Where do you live? Lawrence/KS/USA
2. How long have you been working w/ technology/education? 8 years
3. What OS/platform do you use for work? Mac
4. What is your favorite Web 2.0/21st Century tool and why? Professional Use: Plurk so that I can ask questions and get answers from other like-minded people
   
   With Kids: video conferencing so that students can get beyond their classroom walls and find answers from experts and peers
   
   I consider collaboration to be a critical skill for both educators and students in the 21st Century.
5. What is the biggest misconception about technology? That it is more time consuming--I would argue it does the reverse.
6. What are the biggest hurdles you face as a technology educator? changing mind sets and helping educators and administrators understand that technology can enhance instruction and enable a more constructivist approach to learning that can "cover the standards" while addressing digital-age skills and needs.
7. What has been your biggest success in technology integration? Watching a teacher who has regained a swagger for teaching after having lost it due to the flood of standardized testing and curriculum requirements. It's fun to watch students and teachers co-constructing knowledge.
8. What has been your biggest setback in technology integration? Firewalls and policies that limit Internet access--I would prefer to spend time and resources teaching students to use the technology right (offense) instead of trying to keep them out (defense).
9. Who/what has been your biggest inspiration in technology/education? The kids! We must prepare them for the world in which they are entering. They will be at a tremendous disadvantage if we don't continue to learn, grow and change our methods and strategies. For each adult that I work with, 20-120 students could potentially gain knowledge in a way that makes sense to them-empowering educators and students is my mission.
10. Where do you see technology integration headed in the future? I think we will see a wireless (including power), ubiquitous society where very few people store anything on their local computers but instead keep it online (cloud technologies) so that there is easy access by the owner and anyone who they want to share it with.

Fun

1. What is your favorite book? I love my kindle-no favorite book at present
2. What is your favorite movie? I wish I had one! Time is limited right now!

Next on Cyber Studio? Katie Morrow