Computers in Secondary Education An overview SED 514 An overview SED 514

Technology is going to revolutionize education (1922) “I believe that the motion picture is destined to revolutionize our educational system and that in a few years it will supplant largely, if not entirely, the use of textbooks.” Thomas Edison, 1922 Quoted in Cuban, L. Teachers and machines

Many technologies have come and…  Slate  Chalkboard  Overhead Projector  Movies  Film Strips  Video discs  Educational TV  VCR etc  Slate  Chalkboard  Overhead Projector  Movies  Film Strips  Video discs  Educational TV  VCR etc

Are Computers Different?

Current Tech Use?  Schools are way behind the rest of the working world in computer use  Teachers are generally unprepared to use technology in their class.  Computers are often available, but there is little software in schools (and no budget to buy software)  Schools are way behind the rest of the working world in computer use  Teachers are generally unprepared to use technology in their class.  Computers are often available, but there is little software in schools (and no budget to buy software)

Progress is being made  Internet resources have multiplied and are better quality now - Google!  Internet for homework & online discussion  More free software is being developed  Open source movement  Most new teachers grew up using computers  Internet resources have multiplied and are better quality now - Google!  Internet for homework & online discussion  More free software is being developed  Open source movement  Most new teachers grew up using computers

Tools for Teachers  Grade programs  GradeMachine, Grade Pro etc  Excel or other spreadsheet  Lesson plans online  TeacherNet  Teacher chat sites  TAPPED-IN  Activity generators  Puzzlemaker.com  Grade programs  GradeMachine, Grade Pro etc  Excel or other spreadsheet  Lesson plans online  TeacherNet  Teacher chat sites  TAPPED-IN  Activity generators  Puzzlemaker.com

Tools for communication with & between students  School and Teacher Webpages  & listservs  Bulletin Boards (asynchronous)  Chat & Instant Messaging (synchronous)  Networks for collaboration (GLOBE, Globe Lab, Blue Skies)  Multi-User Virtual Worlds (Whyville)  School and Teacher Webpages  & listservs  Bulletin Boards (asynchronous)  Chat & Instant Messaging (synchronous)  Networks for collaboration (GLOBE, Globe Lab, Blue Skies)  Multi-User Virtual Worlds (Whyville)

Tools for expressing ideas (presentation)  Powerpoint  Word Processing  Concept Mapping (Inspiration)  Graphics (Photoshop)  Digital movies  Powerpoint  Word Processing  Concept Mapping (Inspiration)  Graphics (Photoshop)  Digital movies

Technology that scaffold learning  Tutors (math blaster, geometry tutor)  Integrated tools (Belvedere, WISE, Web Quests, CoVis)  Project based learning (PBL)  Jasper Woodbury  Voyage of the Mimi  Communication tools (Knowledge Forum)  Handheld computers (“enhanced reality”)  Tutors (math blaster, geometry tutor)  Integrated tools (Belvedere, WISE, Web Quests, CoVis)  Project based learning (PBL)  Jasper Woodbury  Voyage of the Mimi  Communication tools (Knowledge Forum)  Handheld computers (“enhanced reality”)

Technology for exploration  Graphing tools (Green Globs, Geometers Sketchpad)  Microworlds (Thinker Tools, Molecular Modelling Toolbox)  Simulations (Sim City, Civilization)  Role playing games (Revolution)  Connecting to real world (Digital microscopes, Videopoint)  Graphing tools (Green Globs, Geometers Sketchpad)  Microworlds (Thinker Tools, Molecular Modelling Toolbox)  Simulations (Sim City, Civilization)  Role playing games (Revolution)  Connecting to real world (Digital microscopes, Videopoint)