Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Business 2
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significant to their survival and prosperity in the work environment, or in their adaptation
to college life. Their education must prepare them to enter a world that is located on the
variety of ways. The benefits to the application of this technology to students can be
exponential in that they enhance the student's capacity to learn. The cost of implementing
educational technology can be a daunting aspect for schools, but new ways to aid in the
funding can relieve tension. Numerous statistics support the use of educational
technology and reveal the rewards for students of all ages. The days of stacking books
under an overhead projector to align it to the pull down curtain are virtually over.
Teachers are finding it more useful and less time consuming to apply their lesson plans to
teachers and students to create multimedia presentations that can incorporate text,
graphics, animation, audio, video, links, and most importantly interactivity (Shelly,
2004). Teachers can use technology to boost student's motivation and learning
comprehension to capture the audience's attention through colorful and eye grabbing
graphics. Another benefit to the teacher utilizing this technology is that the presentation
can be saved and used for the next set of students taking that subject. Students can also
employ presentation graphics software when creating their own presentations. With this
software, the presenter can easily include links to a variety of information sources.
Another useful tool for the teacher is the student management software. This tool allows
the tracking of the student's progress and attendance records. This can also be used by
Teachers can use technology to create their own grade book by using Microsoft Excel.
Using this software as opposed to the written grade book from the days of old can
increase the teacher's time management by calculating the grades automatically and
decreasing the chances for human error. Like PowerPoint software, there is no need to
continuously purchase a new grade book every new class when a spreadsheet can easily
be duplicated from the prior class. An electronic spreadsheet can be simply stored with
numerous backups with no threat of it being lost or stolen. Adding to the benefits of using
entered into the formula and new calculations are available within seconds. Teachers can
also create their own webpage in which students and parents can connect for updates on
homework and assignments. They can use their webpage to post links to helpful websites
that correlate with their lesson plan. The teacher's webpage can empower the parent to
contact the teacher with greater ease. The teacher can even create identification numbers
for the students and post grades on the webpage. Two examples that are currently being
used by colleges and universities are WebCT and BlackBoard. These websites offer
opportunities for both teacher and student to interact outside of the classroom. Teachers
can provide students with learning materials and instructions without having to be in the
presence of students. Likewise, students are able to submit class work via the web page
and teaches are able to post grades to the individual student. The internet is another
technological tool that can be used in the classroom for teaching and research purposes.
Students can become familiar with the internet, as they will need training for college
purposes or even for their own recreation. The internet offers students a vast array of
world problem solving, interactive learning, discovery learning, and linking learners to
instructional resources (Shelly, 2004). Although the internet is very useful, monitoring is
needed by the teacher because of some of the malicious content that is also easily
accessed. The library or media center can also become technologically sound by
implementing an online catalog, which can also sharpen the researching skills of the
students. The library offers students access to computers and software for individual
projects that must be completed on their own time, outside of the classroom. Media
specialist also can work very closely with the teacher in attempts to sharpen the research
skills of the students. Some schools use the media center for broadcasting production of
daily school updates for the whole campus. To get a real sense of the benefits of this
technology, one should note the opinions of the actual participants of the educational
technology, but what made school officials decide to have the technology integrated in
the first place? Respondents from a questionnaire sent out to faculty who have used
technology as an aid to teaching and learning returned these results (Enerson, 1997): 1
60.2% said that it provided opportunity for practice 2 24.4% said that it would help
was there 6 4.1% said that it expanded boundaries of the classroom/access to information
After examining the "why" it was implemented, the focus is now turned to the
effectiveness of the implementation of the technology. Here are some statistics from the
same questionnaire cited above when respondents are asked, "What had worked best?"
(Enerson, 1997): 1 62.5% said clarifying and explaining 2 29% said polishing and
An even more telling statistic in the polls was the immense evidence proven to the
teachers that computers and technology had made a mark and established its place in the
education institution. Provided below are a number of statistics from these teachers
computers increase student attention in class. 3 65% of the teachers actually said that
computers can be more effective than teachers in conveying certain types of educational
materials. As students get older computers become even more of an essential aspect of
their education. According to teachers, grade level does factor into the technology
equation. When asked about the suitability of computers in class (TechValEd, 2003): 1
54% of elementary teachers approved 2 63% of middle school teachers approved 3 68%
increased by the use of school WebPages and e-mail access. This connection extends the
classroom and school to the outside community and is extremely beneficial to the
working parents. When asked about the electronic communication between schools and
its community (TechValEd, 2003): 1 77% of schools have web sites jam-packed with
pertinent info 2 64% of teachers electronically communicate with parents 3 96% of
teachers have e-mail access Some eye-opening statistics that should be noted in regards
to technology are (TechValEd, 2003): 1 72% of teachers believe that technology has
made their jobs easier 2 76% of teachers need more training to make the best use 3 45%
of teachers had zero hours of training with technology There are many benefits to
technology, but the dilemma lies in the cost of implementing it into the school system.
However, there are a number of ways schools can increase funds for financing this
endeavor. Federal and state governments, private businesses, and organizations are
investing billions of dollars in Internet-related hardware and software for K-12 schools
(Shelly, 2004). Many teachers have found ways beyond the government to raise funds for
their classrooms. One such way is through the General Mills cereal Box Tops program.
Box Tops education is a program in which clippings from the cereal Box Top are worth
ten cents each and a teacher can earn up to $60,000 per year for their school. A neat idea
would be for a teacher to create a little friendly competition amongst classes with the
class that garnishes the most Box Tops winning a pizza party. With the money earned
technology such as computers, digital cameras, scanners, etc. can be added to the school's
groundwork for preparing students for life beyond the school walls. With the uses and
benefits, that this technology produces teachers should not doubt the need for integrating
tech tools into their educational delivery. While educators have choices in this regard, the
practical and an operational perspective and functionally integrate it into the fabric of