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Week 2: Issues in Educational Computing
This week's study will take a look at issues affecting educational computing. As a nation, the U.S. has invested millions of dollars of resources into connecting every school to the "information superhighway" since 1994. But a recent U.S. News and Report cover story, "Why Computers Fail as Teachers," (September 25, 2000,) takes a closer look at computer use by young children, especially when combined with television viewing. A report from the child advocacy group, Alliance for Childhood, reports: "Children need stronger personal bonds with caring adults, yet powerful technologies are distracting children and adults from each other." Children are learning skills needed throughout the rest of their lives, such as language and socialization, organizing thoughts, cause and effect, imagination, creativity, and self-motivation. Low-quality software, when overused, can keep them from developing the skills they need, much as television watching can take the place of active, exploratory play. The issue here is in using technology well--whether waiting until children have mastered reading and writing, or avoiding using computers as drill instructors.
Much research has been directed toward studying how computers actually teach, whether this teaching is beneficial compared to traditional teaching, and how computer use changes traditional teaching approaches. The research includes examining learning theories which attempt to discover how students learn and what types of learning takes place using computer-aided instruction. This is especially true of the Constructivist Theory. Another issue in educational computing is one of communications, in which the Internet has become a global learning network, with classrooms collaborating across states and even countries. Video conferencing is becoming more common, with classrooms able to be taught in real-time across wide geographic distances. While this technology is expensive and takes planning in order to utilize it properly, many states, including Oregon, have made a commitment in terms of resources into its development. Recently, Ontario High School received a $93,000 grant in order to implement video conferencing in one of its classrooms.
Computer technology can be tailored to the requirements of special needs students, but often teachers are unaware of what is available. Student accessibility continues to be of concern as more schools and businesses require computer skills. Other issues to be considered are those involving copyright, as well as the concepts of web based training and computer aided instruction, which are now especially being used in technical and business training.
Focus Questions:
- What is the greatest worry when it comes to teaching young children using computers?
- What are learning theories especially connected with computer learning?
- What are the effects of the explosion in the telecommunications industry on education, both in the classroom and in academic organizations?
- What is the impact of technology on special needs students? What might the limiting factors be?
- Think about how accessibility to computers might affect not only students but teachers.
- How has the Internet affected copyright and intellectual property? How aware should we be of copyright on the Web?
- What are some organizations that lend themselves well to web-based training? Can you find some examples?
- How do different types of computer based instruction affect teaching and curriculum development?
Learning Theories
Learning Theories
Telecommunications
Special Needs and Accessibility Issues
Copyright and Legal Issues
Web Based Training and Computer Aided Instruction
Email Assignment
Email your answers to at least two of the focus questions to me for this week.
Reading Assignment
Read the two last Web Based Training articles listed. Then try the HHMI Virtual Lab for an example of a virtual laboratory exercise.(It will require you to install a Shockwave plugin. You may want to wait until you are at OHS to view this.)
(Graduate Assignment for Week 5)
Begin thinking of what type of media you would like to work into class lessons (See chart in the Syllabus)
Educational Media and Technology
EOU Malheur County Center (541) 889-7468 or (541) 889-6222
