Computers in Secondary Education

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Computers in Secondary Education

• An overview
• SED 514

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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
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Many technologies have come and

• Slate
• Chalkboard
• Overhead Projector
• Movies
• Film Strips
• Video discs
• Educational TV
• VCR
• etc

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Are Computers Different?
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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)

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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

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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

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Tools for communication with between students

• School and Teacher Webpages
• Email listservs
• Bulletin Boards (asynchronous)
• Chat Instant Messaging (synchronous)
• Networks for collaboration (GLOBE, Globe Lab,
  Blue Skies)
• Multi-User Virtual Worlds (Whyville)

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Tools for expressing ideas (presentation)

• Powerpoint
• Word Processing
• Concept Mapping (Inspiration)
• Graphics (Photoshop)
• Digital movies

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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)

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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)