Technology in the Classroom Past & Present

What is technology? technology: (n) applied science; or: a technical method of achieving a practical purpose

Misconceptions Technology is inherently “good” or “bad” The only “good” technology is hi-tech Technology will make teachers obsolete Technology is inherently “good” or “bad” The only “good” technology is hi-tech Technology will make teachers obsolete

Types of Technology High Technology Computers Databases Search engines Wireless Electronic files High Technology Computers Databases Search engines Wireless Electronic files Low Technology Blackboard (the traditional squeeky kind, not our grading software) Card catalogues Snail mail Paper clips/staplers Filing cabinets/ paper files Low Technology Blackboard (the traditional squeeky kind, not our grading software) Card catalogues Snail mail Paper clips/staplers Filing cabinets/ paper files

The Average School Mixture of modern and obsolete computers No formal strategy for replacement Internet- uncertain speeds Mixture of modern and obsolete computers No formal strategy for replacement Internet- uncertain speeds Television VCR DVD Graphing Calculators Scientific Equipment Tape recorder Overhead Projectors And all expected low technology Television VCR DVD Graphing Calculators Scientific Equipment Tape recorder Overhead Projectors And all expected low technology

What we need: Technology does no good if teachers do not know how to use it! How do we get teachers to use the available technology? Technology does no good if teachers do not know how to use it! How do we get teachers to use the available technology?

Training Methods College Courses Workshops Self Instruction Peer tutoring Students and others Online College Courses Workshops Self Instruction Peer tutoring Students and others Online Has your education prepared you to use all of these?

The Internet The Most Powerful Research Tool Currently Available

What is the Internet? International collection of computer networks Estimated 700 million users in more 200 countries and principal territories (1/9 th of world population) No one company or country owns it Google searches over 8 billion websites in less than 0.5 seconds Commitment to share resources International collection of computer networks Estimated 700 million users in more 200 countries and principal territories (1/9 th of world population) No one company or country owns it Google searches over 8 billion websites in less than 0.5 seconds Commitment to share resources

Internet in the Schools Expect the unexpected- Practical internet connection speeds? Virtually all public schools are internet connected 92% of classrooms are connected 96% of town, 93% of rural, and 88% of city school rooms are connected to the internet Internet Computer/student ratio 1998: 12 to : 5 to 1 NCES Fast Facts Website LinksNCES Fast Facts Expect the unexpected- Practical internet connection speeds? Virtually all public schools are internet connected 92% of classrooms are connected 96% of town, 93% of rural, and 88% of city school rooms are connected to the internet Internet Computer/student ratio 1998: 12 to : 5 to 1 NCES Fast Facts Website LinksNCES Fast Facts

What’s being done? The U.S. Department of Education Technology Plan National Technology Plan PDF file Website linkNational Technology Plan PDF file page 28- State Initiatives “Virginia is one of the leading states….” The U.S. Department of Education Technology Plan National Technology Plan PDF file Website linkNational Technology Plan PDF file page 28- State Initiatives “Virginia is one of the leading states….”

National Education Technology Plan : Seven Major Action Steps and Recommendations 1. Strengthen Leadership 2. Consider Innovative Budgeting 3. Improve Teacher Training 4. Support E-learning and Virtual Schools 5. Encourage Broadband Access 6. Move Toward Digital Content 7. Integrate Data Systems

Final Thoughts Is this class helping to prepare you to face the challenges of technological awareness in the classroom? This doesn’t mean everyday, but on a frequent basis. Technology is here to stay and teachers need to learn how to incorporate technology into the classroom.

The Future of Educational Technology I do not fear computers. I fear lack of them. -- Isaac Asimov

Network Computing What is it? Within a classroom Within a school Within a school system

Laptops/Desktop Computers Per student At each desk Loan Programs

Software Packages Word Processing Internet Access Database Minimal requirements

Staffing Questions Differentiated Staffing Training

Costs Substantial Investment Viability Worth

Classroom Application Computers are useless, they can only give you answers. -- Pablo Picasso

Why Student Needs Education Needs

When Now Future

How HTML Topical web searches Treasure hunts Virtual field trips Image searching/creation Vacation planning Written interaction

HTML According to the Virginia SOLs, all eighth grade students will be able to use HTML to create web pages.

Topical web searches Utilizes the World Wide Web and the Internet to research any number of topics and activities. Useful for both teachers and students

Treasure hunts Allows teachers to narrowly define what the student will be researching. Gives students definition in many skills

Virtual field trips Similar in design to Treasure hunts, but these are more narrowly focused still. Designed as group activities Great for Study Guides

Image searching/creation Activity designed to give students artistic reign over images. Greater capabilities with computers than are normally seen in art classes. Less messy too.

Vacation planning Interdisciplinary unit designed to create a fictional trip to any given destination. Allows use of varying degrees of technology

Written interaction Allows real time and asynchronous communications between people at a distance using chat room and ICQ technology

Closing Thoughts Technology is dominated by two types of people: those who understand what they do not manage, and those who manage what they do not understand. -- Anonymous

Closing Thoughts If automobiles had followed the same development cycle as the computer, a Rolls-Royce would today cost $100, get a million miles per gallon, and explode once a year, killing everyone inside. -- Robert Cringely

Closing Thoughts The most overlooked advantage to owning a computer is that if they foul up there's no law against whacking them around a little. -- Porterfield