Using Information Technology in Education

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Using Information Technology in Education

• by
• Austin A. Winther

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Established Computer Use

• Store Information
• Manipulate Information
• Individual Work
• Stand-Alone PCs

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Traditional Programs Used

• Word processors
• Writing and editing
• Data Bases
• Storing records
• Spreadsheets
• Storing and manipulating numerical data

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Emerging Uses of Computers

• Communication
• Networking
• Finding Information
• Spreading Information and Views
• Group Work
• Networked PCs

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Emerging Information Tools

• The World Wide Web
• The Web, WWW
• Newsgroups
• Listserves
• E-mail
• CD-Rom, Simulations, Games
• Presentation software

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The World Wide Web

• The Internet
• Use a browser
• Netscape, Microsoft Explorer, Others such as AOL
• Millions of Sites
• Sites inter-linked in a web
• Searchable
• Interactive

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The Web
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World-Wide Web -- Pros

• Lots and lots of good information
• Lots of free software and materials
• Good sites are entertaining and informative
• Can pursue inter-related topics and discover
  new information
• Current information
• Great way to get the word out

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World-Wide Web -- Cons

• Too much information
• Lots of misinformation
• Some pornography
• Hate groups
• Can be slow
• Breaks down
• Many sites poorly designed

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Newsgroups

• Like a bulletin board
• Readers post announcements, questions,
  responses, etc.
• Need newsgroup reader software
• Usually provided
• Free Agent recommended
• 44,000 available

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Newsgroups -- Pros

• Can share information with others with mutual
  interests
• Can develop contacts with others
• Good source of new ideas
• Free
• Current information

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Newsgroups -- Cons

• Lots of boring stuff
• Lots of misinformation
• Lots of irrelevant information

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Listserves

• Mailing lists
• Run by subscription
• Run by organizations
• Information sent as e-mail

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Listserves -- Pros

• Lots of good information
• Easy to use
• Interesting surprises
• Current information

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Listserves -- Cons

• Lots of boring stuff
• Lots of misinformation
• Junk e-mail

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E-mail

• Type mail like a word processor
• Send messages very quickly to others (a few
  seconds to a few hours)
• Good way of sharing information quickly
• Can use group e-mail
• Virtually all internet accounts of any kind
  provide it

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E-mail -- Pros

• Fast and easy to use
• Can be used to get specific information
• Can exchange files with others

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Email -- Cons

• Breaks down
• Things get lost
• Junk e-mail

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Other Information Sources

• CD-ROM Guides
• Games
• Simulations
• Encyclopedias

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CD-ROM

• Widely available
• Good Information
• Highly interactive
• Sometimes trivial or boring
• Quality varies
• Dated information
• Can be used to teach specific topics

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Presentation Software

• Youre looking at it
• Powerpoint, Freelance Graphics, Hyperstudio

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Presentation Software -- Pros

• Easy to use
• Eye-catching
• Allows for creativity

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Presentation Software -- Cons

• Needs relatively high-end technology
• Compatibility Problems
• Breaks down
• ALWAYS test first and bring a hard copy
• People over-use the bells and whistles

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Why Do It?

• Technology is changing our world
• The rate of change is increasing
• People who cant use and understand technology
  will be left behind
• Essential to literacy
• Allows for expanding intellectual and cultural
  horizons

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How to Do It

• Teach Skills
• Give Meaningful Tasks
• Link School to the Larger World