What is technology?
tech•nol•o•gy: (n) applied science; or: a
technical method of achieving a practical
purpose
tech•nol•o•gy: (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 TechnologyHigh Technology• Computers• Databases• Search engines• Email• Wireless• Electronic files
High TechnologyHigh Technology• Computers• Databases• Search engines• Email• Wireless• Electronic files
Low TechnologyLow Technology
• Blackboard (the traditional squeeky kind, not our grading software)
• Card catalogues
• Snail mail
• Paper clips/staplers
• Filing cabinets/ paper files
Low TechnologyLow 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?Has your education prepared you to use all of these?
What is the Internet?
• International collection of computer networks• Estimated 700 million users in more 200 countries
and principal territories (1/9th 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 (1/9th 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 1
2002: 5 to 1• NCES Fast Facts Website Links
• 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 1
2002: 5 to 1• NCES Fast Facts Website Links
What’s being done?
• The U.S. Department of Education Technology Plan
• National Technology Plan PDF file Website link
• 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 link
• 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.• 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.
• Technology is here to stay and teachers need to learn how to incorporate technology into the classroom.
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