History of Education Technology

         

Technology has been through many changes over a long period of time. There are many hurdles that were faced while technology was changing. This included changing from desktop computers to laptops, land line phones to cell phones, and chalk boards to smart boards. As technology changes teachers struggle to keep up with it. It is typically hard for teachers to learn the new technology. Most of the time the students know more than the teacher.

            For teachers to be able to handle the changes in technology they should begin to learn the new technology when it comes out, rather than when they get the technology in their classroom. This will make the teacher feel more comfortable when using the technology with the students.

            I personally would ask fellow co- workers for help with technology when I do not understand it. If I do not understand it after that I may ask the students to do a presentation on how to work the technology so they can learn about while I learn about it. 



Google or Microsoft???

                When trying to decide which program you want to use, google or Microsoft, there are many things to take into consideration. These include but are not limited to, the simplicity of the program, the things each program can do versus the other, and as a teacher is the program easy for children to use.

                When I was working with both google and Microsoft programs I noticed that one thing I like personally better in Microsoft then in google is that Microsoft is more user friendly. Everything you need to do a project or write a paper is right in front of you. Whereas on google you have to click multiple buttons or tabs to get to what you want, as an educator, I feel students would become frustrated with having to search for what they need. In this aspect I would personally say word is better than google.  

                Another thing to consider when choosing which program to use, is what features the program offers. In Microsoft there are many options for to add on such as video, audio, pictures, clip art, word art, etc. However, in google there is not an audio option, so to insert audio in a google slide you need to insert a video and make it small enough in the corner that it is just used as audio and not used as an actual video. Also google does not offer smart art, so instead you would have to use google sheets to create a chart and then insert it into your slides or document.  I feel that in a classroom setting students would have trouble figuring out how to insert audio and smart art on google.

                The third thing I would consider when deciding which program to use would be if it is easy for children to understand. As I discussed earlier it can be hard for students to find features on google as opposed to using Microsoft. Microsoft also has more pictures to show what each feature does as opposed to google.

                With all the given information I feel that Microsoft is not only the better choice for adults and teachers to use but is also the best choice for students in a classroom setting. 

What should you consider when you have students searching the internet?

                There are many things that should be considered when young children are searching the internet. As a teacher I would take into consideration what I am having the children search, what websites the children may go to and if the children are comfortable searching the internet. The internet can be a dangerous place for young children especially if the child is not comfortable using it.

                When children are searching the internet it is important that they know what they are looking for. I would consider the topic I am trying to teach the children. If the topic is something the children are able to search easily then I would allow them to search the internet, however if the topic is not easily searchable I would take the students to the library instead, to look for books.

                I would also take into consideration the websites the children may go to. Some websites are full of advertisements that the children could accidentally click on. I would have the children ask me before using a website so I can let them know if it is a safe website.

                The third thing I would consider is if the child is comfortable with searching the internet. Some children have never used the internet before, so it may be difficult for them to feel comfortable

searching the internet.

                I would present searching the internet as a positive thing. Searching the internet is a great way to find out a lot of information on specific topics. It is also a great way to engage children in their learning.

                Schools have many policies that protect children who are searching the internet. One policy is plagiarism. Children may use resources to help them with a project however they may not copy anyone else’s work. Another form of protection schools have for searching the internet is blocked websites. Some websites are blocked on the school’s network so the children do not get unwanted viruses on the computers or see inappropriate content.  

                For more information or safety tips on searching the internet, you can visit the National Children’s Advocacy Center at http://www.nationalcac.org/prevention/internet-safety-kids.html.