chapter eleven technology. looking ahead changes in technology occur in the field of education...

Chapter Eleven

TECHNOLOGY

Looking Ahead

Changes in technology occur in the field of education

Technology is essential to education Teachers should think about:

What tech skills do you want your students to acquire? What happens when there is a change in technology? What are some promises of today’s new technology? What challenges do technologies pose for teachers? What possible dangers do new technologies pose for

learners?

Technology Standards Technology is such a part of life, schools

must prepare students to use such devices Technological literacy – implies a basic

understanding of important technologies, a willingness to accept and adapt to new technological innovations, and an ability to employ technologies at an acceptable level of proficiency

Technology and Behavior

Technology alters the limits of what can be done, but it does not ensure progress Not everyone will choose to take advantages of

technologies Some people are simply reluctant to change

Technology and Behavior Technology as a Constraining Force

Existing technology limits what is currently possible

Pencils – not produced in mass until 1860s Slates were used Not much writing capacity Lengthy responses not utilized Oral responses and tests used often Therefore, teachers would have promoted students’

oral communication skills

Technology and Behavior

Technology as a Constraining Force 1880s – Steel pens were used in schools

Paper was expensive Ink could not be corrected Teachers would have promoted the idea of careful

organization 1900s – Inexpensive pencils with erasers

Why would this technology concern teachers? Additional technologies allowed learners to go

beyond textbooks for knowledge

Technology and Behavior Existing Practices as a Constraining Force

Even though new technologies can bring about change, it still may not happen

Traditional school year – Why 9-10 months? Big money in textbooks and materials that are based

on 9-10 month school years Traditional family vacation time over summer Major physical plant work done during summer Teachers have opportunity to attend college during

summer – big money for colleges Summer school opportunities to allow learners to

catch up or to keep up

Technology and Behavior Existing Practices as a Constraining Force

QWERTY keyboard vs. other methods

Bottom line Technologies provide opportunities, not mandates “Build it, and they may come.”

What holds people back? Time needed to master technology Compatibility with existing resources and instructional

methods

Today’s Technologies: Some Promises

Technology allows for teachers to teach students based on their individual needs

Along with traditional interaction in the classroom, students can receive Web-based instruction Classroom setting is no longer a necessity

Textbooks are being replaced by computers Students will spend more time in front of a

computer than reading a textbook


Teachers are now more of a guide for instruction rather than the main source

Technology allows for self-guided learning Technology may soon allow for the school

day to be less time structured Students will be spending part of the day at home

engaged in learning via technology


Teachers are using technology for: Reteaching and reinforcing information Providing enrichment opportunities Individualizing assignments Promoting global perspectives

WWW Pen pals

Desktop publishing


Developing Learners’ Research Capabilities Inquiring Teaching

Actively engages learners with content that they can use to develop meaningful conclusions

Five steps of Inquiring Teaching: Describe essential features of a problem or situation Suggest possible solutions or explanations Gather evidence Evaluate solutions Develop conclusions

Technology allows for this type of teaching to be used more often in classrooms today


Expanding Course Offerings Some small school districts with lower funding

can offer advanced courses due to technology Web-based instruction is still a new and

developing concept Will Web-based instruction become the norm?


Providing Services to Underperforming Schools Federal funds are being allocated for schools to

tap into tutoring services that use technology Schools that are not performing well should have

access to the best available resources Technology can allow for this to happen


Simulating Real-Life Experiences Compare your experiments / situations to what is

possible today Explorations Virtual field trips Communicating with others around the world


Helping Learners with Special Problems Technology has been used for many years in this

area Braille writers to assist those without sight

General rule of past to determine need for technology assistance: Curriculum was examined to determine potential

problems learners may face Technologies were then created to meet those needs Curriculum was a “given” and technology was used to

accommodate needs of some learners

Today’s Technologies: Some Challenges Historical cycle / phases of educational innovations

(Larry Cuban, 2002) Overblown-description-of-potential-benefits phase

Supporters of innovation go public with how the new technology will transform education

Disappointing-research-results phase Research shows that the new technology did not live up to

advertised hype Investigate-causes-for-failure phase

Results show that fewer teachers implemented technology or deviated from intended purpose

Place-the-blame phase Who’s fault is it that it did not work Blame typically falls on teacher

Mabry’s Opinion

There is no excuse for teachers not keeping up to date with advancements in technology and for its implementation in the classroom given that funding has provided such opportunities.

Today’s Technologies: Some Challenges

Cost Issues Imagine that… Federal government is beginning to provide

additional funding for technology Federal government only accounts for 7% of

funding for schools – state and local governments account for the rest

Telecommunications Act of 1996 Ensuring that computers are in every classroom


Cost Issues Monies are needed for the following:

Initially providing technology Replacing outdated technology (hardware and

software) Training teachers to effectively use technology Providing hardware and software to teachers

experiencing difficulty Support technicians to make needed repairs quickly


New Technologies as Learning Distractors Should young people be permitted to bring

technology to schools? Tablets Cell phones iPods PDAs Laptop computers

This issue will become more complex - GPS


Changing Teachers’ Views and Their Roles Some teachers use technology minimally and with

the wrong intent Others take full advantage of technology Paradigm shift in education today

Old being replaced by new Tech challenged being replaced by tech savvy

It is essential for school districts to: Provide support for those new to technology Provide necessary training in all aspects Build enthusiasm for technology


The Digital Divide Some use technology to the fullest Some hardly use technology at all


Protecting Learners Technology can be dangerous WWW is especially dangerous

Violence or illegal behavior Sexually explicit information Chat rooms Selling academic work (term papers, etc.) Copyright infringement or plagiarism Commercial transactions


Protecting Learners Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs) Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA)

Schools must install filters to protect children Schools must have an internet safety policy

Neighborhood Children’ Internet Protection Act (N-CIPA) Focuses on what should be within the internet safety

policy


Protecting Learners Neighborhood Children’ Internet Protection Act

(N-CIPA) Focuses on what should be within the internet safety

policy Policy must include details regarding:

Access by minors to appropriate matter Safety and security of minors when using e-mail, chat

rooms, and other forms of electronic communication Information on hacking and other unlawful activities Unauthorized disclosure of personal information Measures designed to restrict access to harmful material

chapter eleven technology. looking ahead changes in technology occur in the field of education...

Documents

technology slide

behavior technology

promises technology

technology compatibility

technology concern teachers

todays new technology

field of education technology

main source technology