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Week 1: Introduction and History of Educational Technology
This week’s lesson material will include an assessment of your familiarity with technology that is currently used in learning and instruction. You will explore the history of computing and how it has evolved into the communications network and information retrieval systems of today.
Computer technology has already had a profound impact on schools and businesses, from the way teachers communicate and take attendance to how they approach classroom activities, to businesses that trade, sell, train employees, advertise, and conduct business online. This dependance on computing technology has become apparent in the Ontario School District, where I work -- only a few years ago, attendance was taken by hand,on paper and pencil. But now, when the networked attendance system, email, and the Internet are not working, it becomes difficult for teachers to conduct a normal school day. The demand for technicians who can maintain networking equipment has increased to the point that only half of business needs are being met. Businesses are depending more and more upon online training for their employees, combining the commercial aspects of the World Wide Web with the educational. "Just In Time Training," CBT, or Computer Based Training, and WBT, Web Based Training, are becoming established methods of providing information to employees.
The term "Knowledge Worker" has been coined to refer to those who are not only able to locate information online and make it useful to employers or students, but to be able to pick and choose from among software titles and web-based courses. Such persons make themselves familiar with the cost-effectiveness of investing financial resources in technology equipment such as laser printers, digital video cameras, Smart Boards, video conferencing equipment, and LCD projectors.
Focus Questions:
- How much do you know about computers?
- What can be considered to be "technology?"
- Does technology make a difference in the way we learn?
- Is your school or business networked and on the Internet, or is it something you live without?
- Could you imagine (or do you remember!) living in a world without computers?
- What is a knowledge worker?
- What are the benefits and what are the drawbacks of living in the Information Age?
Test Your Computer Knowledge Sites:
The Ambleweb Crossword Puzzle
Glossaries
History Links
Search Engines -- Which ones do you like and why?
This Week's Assignment
Tell me something about yourself -- your background and your educational history. What are your goals for this class?
Answer this question in a paragraph or two. Email your answer to me at kenningtons@fmtc.com
In the same email, answer two or more of the focus questions listed above. Look up the resource links, read, and try some of the material. Also try the search engines. Some of these are better with certain subjects and ages than others. You might find some of them useful for students doing research.
Educational Media and Technology
EOU Malheur County Center (541) 889-7468 or (541) 889-6222
