Theoretical Foundations

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Teaching and Learning with Technology
Teaching and Learning with Technology
Teaching and Learning with Technology
Chapter 4
DigitalTechnologiesIn theClassroom
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Input Devices in the Classroom

• Scanners
• Convert printed copy or images into a digital
  version
• With Optical Character Recognition (OCR)
  software, scanned text can be saved as a word
  processing file
• Flat bed scanners can scan one page or multiple
  pages and can scan from a book

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Input Devices in the Classroom

• Digital Cameras
• Do not use film but instead capture images to a
  storage media
• May vary in resolution the higher the
  resolution the sharper the picture but also the
  larger the size of the file it creates
• Storage media varies from CD-Rs to memory cards

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Input Devices in the Classroom

• Digital Cameras
• Stored images are then downloaded to computer for
  viewing and editing
• Typically come with small LCD screens on the back
  of the camera to preview images as you take
  pictures
• Digital photos can be used in any software
  programs or can be printed on photographic paper
  to create hard copy photos.

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Input Devices in the Classroom

• Graphics Tablets
• Use a stylus to draw on an electronic pad
• Pressure of the stylus on the pad is converted to
  images or commands
• Allow for greater control and can therefore be
  used for creating art work

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Input Devices in the Classroom

• Sound Input Devices
• Personal microphones are a component of most
  multimedia computers
• Mikes plug into the sound card port on the back
  of the machine
• The mike can be used to add commentary or record
  music to enhance a computer presentation or
  tutorial

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Input Devices in the Classroom

• Pen Input Devices
• Used with
• Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs)
• Tablet PCs.
• Stylus pressed against screen
• Records commands or handwriting
• Can be read later as a word processed file
• PDA can also provide management tools

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Input Devices in the Classroom

• Tablet PCs
• Basically an LCD screen mounted over a
  motherboard with a hard disk drive
• Tablet PCs are portable, convenient, and
  lightweight.
• They often offer wireless access to networks

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Input Devices in the Classroom

• Tablet PCs
• Converts handwriting into a word processing file
• Drawings saved as graphics files.
• In essence, just a large, more powerful, and more
  flexible PDA

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Input Devices in the Classroom

• Touch Screens
• Computer monitor screens, sensitive to touch
• Touch screens best used to issue commands and
  make selections
• Also useful assistive device for students with
  limited motor skills

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Input Devices in the Classroom

• Video / Digital Capture
• Video capture cards let you
• Capture single still images of each video frame
  as a digital file
• Once digital, the sequence of images can be
  edited
• Can then be used as a digital video or digital
  still images

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Input Devices in the Classroom

• Electronic Whiteboards
• Dry erase markers can be used to write or draw on
  them
• Can then capture the writing or drawing and save
  it as a digital file
• Whiteboard files can be printed or shared
  electronically
• Portable devices can convert regular whiteboard
  into an electronic whiteboard.

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Output Devices in the Classroom

• Data Projection
• LCD Projection Panel
• Sits on top of overhead projector and plugged
  into the computer
• Uses the overhead projectors light source for
  display
• Generally replaced by LCD projectors

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Output Devices in the Classroom

• Data Projection
• LCD Data Projector
• Data/video projectors connect to the computer to
  display room-size image
• Use LCD technology but have their own light
  source
• Can be used as a portable desktop unit or fixed
  to the ceiling

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Output Devices in the Classroom

• Data Projection
• LCD Data Projector
• Display both digital images (from computer) and
  video images (from VCR)
• Usually includes speakers and remote control

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Output Devices in the Classroom

• Data Projection
• Scan Converter
• Converts digital computer signal for display on a
  TV
• Very inexpensive compared to other digital
  display devices
• Resolution may be limited by TVs display

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Output Devices in the Classroom

• Speakers and Headphones
• Small speakers plug into sound card port
• Plays sound associated with software
• Most sound cards also have headphone port
• To accommodate multiple headphones, a splitter
  can be used

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Technologies for Special Needs

• Portable writing devices for those who cant
  grasp a writing instrument
• Alternative keyboards for those with visual,
  physical, or cognitive limitations
• Voice recognition systems for reading and
  organizing
• Universal access stations
• A multimedia computer, scanner, OCR software,
  alternative keyboards, text-to-speech software,
  and other assistive devices.

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Emerging Technologies

• Wireless Devices
• Computers and handhelds can be connected to a
  network
• Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) technology used for very
  fast radio frequency connections.
• Wireless networks eliminate cost of retrofitting
  schools for network cables
• Wireless networks improve flexibility

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Emerging Technologies

• Handheld Computers
• Have scaled-down versions of software found on
  PCs
• Newer handhelds are expandable
• Use small expansion cards
• Handhelds often come with
• sound
• Microphone
• color for multimedia programs

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Emerging Technologies

• E-Books
• Electronic books are tablets
• Display an electronic multimedia version of a
  book
• E-books can let you take notes as your read
• A single tablet can store many books
• Can be read and/or listened to using simple
  navigational controls
• Some PDAs include e-book capability

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Emerging Technologies

• Voice Activated Devices
• Voice activation software lets you speak to the
  computer
• Eliminates need for typing or clicking
• Voice input technology widely used as assistive
  device
• Voice activation can make computing more flexible
  
• Frees users from proximity to keyboard or mouse

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Emerging Technologies

• Computer Enhancements
• Improved Microprocessors
• Chips are becoming faster and more powerful
• More powerful CPUs will perform complex task
  faster

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Emerging Technologies

• Computer Enhancements
• Storage and Memory
• RAM chip size increasing making programs faster
  to access
• Storage increasing making possible larger
  programs
• Other storage devices developed to maximize
  portable storage.

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Emerging Technologies

• Computer Enhancements
• The USB drive
• Also called a keychain, flash, or jump drive
• Size and shape of a small highlighter
• Plugs into a computers USB port
• No moving parts
• Large storage capacity (16 Mb to 1 GB)

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Emerging Technologies

• Virtual Environments
• Virtual reality software and hardware can create
  3-D environments
• VR worlds can be representations
• Aspects of the real world
• Completely imaginary
• VR worlds can take students on virtual
  fieldtrips

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Computers in the Classroom

• Computer hardware makes it possible to enhance
  teaching and learning
• Computer software focuses hardware on classroom
  specific tasks
• Teachers should review and evaluate both hardware
  and software carefully to ensure they have
  selected the best tools for teaching and learning