Technology in Education

Technology has crept into the educational environment through the PC. Once there were schools without a single computer and now the average school has a PCs in every classroom. The PC gives us Internet access, but also is an "assistive" learning tool that will become the most effective teaching aid the instructor has ever known. Where it used to take a week to grade tests and it was all done by hand, now the test can be given on-line and graded immediately. In addition, the weaknesses can be identified and challenged immediately by the pupil. This is amazing. The PC has the power to make the instructor more efficient (as they can prepare curriculum instead of grade tests), more informative (as the Internet and plethora of software on the market offer all sorts of educational tools) and more interesting (as the instructor can now compete with MTV for the student's attention.

The MTV generation (also referred to as Generation X) has the shortest attention span of any generation in recorded history. In fact, we've even found a way to medically diagnose the most severe of these: called ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder). Why? Well, television with its fast moving images (MTV et. al.), the video and computer games and the movies (with the average scene shortened from the 1950's average of around 20 seconds) to the 1990's average of about 7 seconds) have created a generation that, if not continuously stimulated, then they are bored. Well, to hold the attention of this generation, and the others that will follow, technology will have to help. In addition, to them, the CD player is hackneyed. And, it's only 14 years old. Now, we have satellite TV with over 300 channels, radio over the Internet with over 2000 options and millions of Web sites. So, technology will keep them interested and challenged: right or wrong.

So, what's out there?

1. The Projector: Yes, the technology that was once used to tell time on an LCD digital watch, is now used to project computer images on a screen: the LCD Projector. An a technology called DLP is sweeping the hearts and minds of road warriors everywhere. LCD and DLP, together, are on the verge of redefining the term traveling salesperson. Using a projector and a PC, anything that can be done on a computer is capable of being projected on a 10-foot wide screen and seen by the entire class. In addition, all sorts of tools are available to supplement the learning experience with FUN, learning activities. For example, consider GameShow Pro. GameShow Pro (www.learningware.com) is a computer testing software program that tests in the form of the most popular game show on TV, Jeopardy. I have used it in my classes and the comments are that students LOVE it. Lot's more exist, but you can't imagine what's next.

2. The Electronic Whiteboard: We've moved, for the environment's sake, from chalk (black) boards to white boards. Like a black board, a white board can be used over and over. However, the new generations of electronic white boards allow you to simultaneously scan the stuff the teacher writes into a PC and print it out for the whole class to take with them (ensuring that everyone has the same notes). Companies like Smart Technologies (www.smarttech.com) have even built electronic white boards into Plasma monitors combining a display device and a white board all in one.

3. The Electronic Overhead projector (OHP): The overhead projector is probably the most prolific "technological" device in the classroom today. Since their introduction in the 50's, millions have been sold and just about every school has at least one per classroom. But, it's boring. It's not interactive. It's not creative. And, it's not really technologically "hip" (using the Generation-X term). However, the electronic overhead, referred to as the document camera, is the ultimate overhead projector. Not only do they act as overheads, but they also can display three-dimensional objects blown-up as large as the projection screen. And, you can scan that image into a PC and pass pictures of it out to the class. That's not all. Some also have built-in videoconferencing tools (see next section). Some of the leaders in document camera technology include ELMO (www.elmo.com) and WolfVision (www.wolfvision.com).

4. The PC: Do I really need to explain the benefit of that?

5. The Digital Camera: The digital camera is now at a level where electronic photo albums rival the resolution and quality of 35mm film. In addition, these digital images can be stored, reproduced and distributed worldwide (through e-mail) almost in real-time. All you have to do is snap a picture, copy it to your hard-drive and e-mail it. Within minutes, the world can have your images. This, along with videoconferencing tools, have changed the face of education and introduced a new kind of teaching called Distance Learning (I will cover that in a minute, but first…).

6. Videoconferencing: Still not as easy as picking up a phone and making a call but getting easier every day, videoconferencing allows us to see and hear (simultaneously) anyone, any where in the world. Corporations use it to cut down travel costs and time by having worldwide meetings that connect offices in up to 16 countries. Everyone in each office can see everyone in the other offices, live. OK, that's pretty expensive as a decent connection for one office is equal to the cost of six long distance calls at the same time. But if the alternative is flying everyone into New York for a meeting, paying for hotel rooms, food and entertainment (not to mention the lost time flying to get there) then it suddenly becomes affordable. For the corporation, that is. But, what about the school and this thing called Distance Learning?