Technology in the ClassroomTechnology in the Classroom

Past & Present

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?

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 (1/9th 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.

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