Educational Technology Ray Schroeder, editor, OTEL - University of Illinois at Springfield |
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News, Techniques and Theories of Effective Use of Technology in Education 
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Saturday, July 10, 2004
Teachers concerned about science education - eSchool News
Many educators and employers liken the state of science education today to a chemistry project gone awry: A bad mix of factors has come together--and it spells trouble. By law, making students better at reading and math is the nation's priority, at least for now. When it comes to science, however, a quiet crisis is engulfing schools, say many scientists, educators, business leaders, and entrepreneurs. (0) comments
Myths and Facts of Learning Technology - John Finnis, TechLearning
Learning Technology, Educational Technology, Instructional Technology, E-Learning, Computer Assisted Learning (CAL), Computer Based Training (CBT). One or more of these closely related terms seems to occur in almost every discussion on education and learning these days. But what do they mean? And how might they shape the educational landscape of tomorrow? A widely accepted definition of Instructional Technology is that provided by the Association for Educational Communications and Technology Definitions and Terminology Committee. "Instructional Technology is the theory and practice of design, development, utilization, management, and evaluation of processes and resources for learning." (Seels & Richey, 1994). This paper employs a slightly simpler definition of learning technology as: any application of technology, particularly computer and information technology, which contributes to the learning process. (0) comments Friday, July 09, 2004
Technology Integration: Building Support for Illinois' 'Digital Age Learning' Technology Plan - John Sonnenberg, THE Journal
The "Digital Age Learning" five-year state technology plan is the cornerstone of the Illinois State Board of Education's (ISBE) effort to restore momentum to its technology programs and initiatives. Approved in November 2002, the plan called for funding support of $21.2 million per year. Despite ISBE's continued emphasis on the importance of technology in schools, this area of education funding has repeatedly been cut by the state over the last three years. Several months after ISBE first adopted its five-year plan, recently elected Gov. Rod Blagojevich unveiled his fiscal year 2004 budget. Absent from the budget was any technology funding for schools. What started as a potentially disastrous situation for the previous progress made in education technology within Illinois schools, resulted in a collaborative effort that reinvigorated the parties who understood and supported the importance of technology in schools and, consequently, reinstated some of the funds. (0) comments
Teachers on the Web - ANNE COOK, THE NEWS-GAZETTE
Teachers are back in school this summer at Champaign's Mellon Building, creating Web sites that will help students and parents know what to expect in class. The teachers are also learning about their own learning and teaching strengths, said David Malone, the district's interim director of educational technology, who aims to make computers a more important part of teachers' communications tools. Teachers, who attend the classes free but aren't paid for their time, say they get the message loud and clear. "We live in a technological age and must meet the challenge of what's happening," said Central High School Spanish teacher Johnette Sparks. "I can't teach the way I did 32 years ago." (0) comments Thursday, July 08, 2004
How To: Using Microsoft Word Like a Pro, Part 3 - Daniel Lake, techLearning
Often, when we develop a handout for students, we want to tell them how to reach other supporting information that may not be included in the handout. This used to entail endnotes or a bibliography, which MIGHT send a student to a library to find resources for the additional information. Today, this often entails writing the URL — Uniform Resource Locator — or address of an Internet page containing that information. I have seen many teachers prepare and give printed handouts to students containing lists of URLs to support content to be studied. (0) comments
NECC 2004: Heavy corporate hitters put their weight behind ed tech - Dan David and Cara Branigan, eSchool News
Anyone seeking evidence of a healthier U.S. economy and renewed tech-sector growth should have been in New Orleans from June 20-23 for the 25th annual National Educational Computing Conference (NECC). The largest educational technology exhibit in the world drew a record crowd of more than 17,500 people, according to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), which staged the conference. The massive crowd included 13,302 registered attendees from roughly 50 countries. They made the trek across an expansive convention floor that featured 1,189 booths and 450 companies displaying their hardware, software, and other solutions for educators. (0) comments Wednesday, July 07, 2004
Second Annual Teachers Talk Tech Survey™ Reveals Increasing Role of Computers in the Classroom
Nearly two-thirds of kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) teachers say that availability of computers improves student performance on standardized tests, yet they do not believe they have enough computers for their students in their classrooms — according to the second annual Teachers Talk Tech™ survey released today by CDW Government, Inc. (CDW·G), a leading provider of technology to federal, state and local governments and educators. Sixty-two percent of respondents — an increase of 8 percent over last year — said the use of computers improved student performance on standardized tests. Teachers also made it clear that to achieve the advantages afforded by technology, they need additional training and adequate equipment for the students. (0) comments
Speak Up Day for Teachers 2004 Results
During Speak Up Day for Teachers, 11,132 teachers in 1,885 schools from all 50 states participated by completing the online survey, exceeding NetDay’s original goal of reaching 10,000 teachers. States with the most participants were Texas, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Florida and New York. (0) comments Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Technology grants benefit Boulder Valley classrooms - Amy Bounds, Daily Camera
Students at six Boulder Valley schools next year will use a device that looks like a television remote control to give their teachers immediate feedback on whether they understand a concept. "The power of it is to get data on individual students during a lesson to monitor student understanding," said Eldorado K-8 math teacher Mike Matassa, who is one of the teachers participating in the pilot project. "I can modify my instruction." The cost is covered by a $36,600 technology grant from the Foundation for Boulder Valley Schools. Altogether, the foundation awarded $142,745 in "Tech 21" grants for next school year. (0) comments
High Court strikes down web porn law - eSchool News
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled today that a law aimed at curbing children's access to online pornography is too broad and probably impedes upon the rights of adults to see and buy what they want on the internet. The high court divided 5-to-4 over the Child Online Protection Act (COPA), a law passed in 1998, signed by then-President Clinton, and now backed by the Bush administration. The majority said a lower court was correct to block the law--which would have made it a crime for commercial operations to knowingly place objectionable material within the reach of children on the web--from taking effect, because it likely violates the First Amendment. (0) comments Monday, July 05, 2004
Schools win big in Microsoft deal - LESLIE BROOKS SUZUKAMO, Pioneer Press
Microsoft Corp. will pay up to $174.5 million in vouchers to Minnesota consumers and businesses who bought its products to settle a class-action lawsuit accusing the world's largest software company of overcharging for its Windows operating system and other software. Under the agreement, Microsoft admitted to no wrongdoing.... The settlement could, however, end up benefiting Minnesota's cash-strapped and technology-hungry public schools the most. That's because half of whatever is left unclaimed by consumers of the $175.4 million in vouchers will be given to the Minnesota Department of Education to distribute to schools serving low-income or needy children for technology purchases. (0) comments
Students like flexibility of district's first effort - JOHN WELBES, Pioneer Press
When it came time to launch its first online high school course this summer, the St. Paul Public School District didn't take any chances. "The best way to make sure the pilot would be successful was to focus on a group of students we know are highly motivated," said Gene Janicke, an area superintendent for the district. To find students for the health course being offered, the district turned to Central High School. The schools' International Baccalaureate program attracts top students but can also squeeze time for other required courses out of their schedules. "We didn't even advertise it," said Janicke. An assistant principal at Central High School mentioned the online course to a few students, "and within a week, he had 24 kids at his door." (0) comments Sunday, July 04, 2004
States, Districts Clicking Into Online-Purchasing Systems - Rhea R. Borja, Ed Week
Seeking to capitalize on the Internet’s retail and financial-management capabilities, more states and school districts are using online-purchasing systems to buy everything from No. 2 pencils to cleaning supplies. Arizona, Maryland, North Carolina, and Virginia are among the growing number of states that have moved—some boldly, some cautiously—to so-called e- procurement systems that supporters say save time and money and increase worker productivity. Such online systems may also integrate the state or school district’s purchasing system with its accounting and data systems, creating a seamless financial-management system. (0) comments
A walk on the digital side - Megan Lindow, The Christian Science Monitor
Every time George Solomons walks into the computer lab at Esangweni Senior Secondary School, he wears a smile. Inside the clean but spartan room, 34 humming machines are set up in rows on top of wooden tables. All around him, students dressed in neat uniforms are busily writing papers, surfing the Web, and composing e-mails. Computers have provided a lifeline to this poor township school, Mr. Solomons says. The soft-spoken, youthful-looking deputy vice principal, whose spectacles and goatee make him look a bit like Malcolm X, is quick to admit that he is no computer expert. "Everything I know about computers is because of the people I've come into contact with," he says. Even so, Solomons has managed to do what almost no other school in the area has done. He has established what is widely regarded as one of the most successful computer labs to be found in a township school anywhere in South Africa. (0) comments Educational Technology News Blog Archives OTEL - Ray's Home Page - Notebook - UIS Online - U of I Online - UIS Home Fair Use |
