Technology in the Classroom Past and Present Carla Huggins and Amanda Traylor Summer use-podcasts//

Field Trips vs. Virtual Tours 15 years ago educational field trips consisted of hands on learning. Students traveled to museums, parks, libraries and habitats to learn in person. Presently, budget cuts have caused many field trips to take part in the classroom and in the form of a virtual fieldtrip. Some of the virtual fieldtrips include; historic sites around the world, museums, U.S landmarks and natural habitats.

Online high schools Classroom education will soon be a thing of the past with the introduction of online high schools. It allows students to take classes from the comfort of their homes and at their convenience. A high school education is just a click away. learning.aspx

Internet Access 15 years ago Internet access and computers had to be reserved in advance. Only be accessed in designated areas of the school Dial-up internet was slow and unreliable Search engines were much more limiting Today Students use laptops/tablets or classroom provided computers when needed. Internet access is accessible in every classroom, some even in the form of Wi-Fi High speed internet New search engines with larger search capacity

Presentation Technology Overhead projectors need transparency paper Transparency paper costly when used multiple times daily ($30-$60/ case) Unable to show different tools such as rulers, coins etc. for lessons Focus, size, light issues ELMO projectors display actual texts- no transparency needed Able to use examples of student work as they complete it Smart Boards- electronic teaching tool Calculator, graphing, spelling, geography lessons available at a touch

Multimedia support Televisions used to be shared among 3 or four classrooms Large rolling carts with cords, VHS players, large TVs Small screens and poor audio hindered learning Out-of-date VHS and DVDs All multimedia streamed through computer to hanging projector HDMI inputs make switching back and forth easy Large screen and advanced audio $2000-$7000 for technology/classroom Money comes from taxpayers, but prepares students for future learning.

Online Portals Many districts are utilizing electronic grade books Teachers can update grades instantly Parents have access to grades of children anywhere Students can log-on and be responsible for their education- step to maturity