1. Thoughts on Education and
Technology
Brian Murfin
Brian.murfin@qc.cuny.edu

2. The educational technology cavalcade of unmet
expectations
Larry Cuban – a voice of reason

3. The parade of obsolescence

4. Great expectations

5. Inevitably unmet

6. Be skeptical before adopting technology

7. Don't use it just because it's there

8. Think carefully about how the tool can enhance
learning

9. Use technology as a tool that enables students to
actively build, create, share, communicate and
interact socially
Examples:
Building tools: Scratch,Sumopaint, Goanimate
Sharing tools: Diigo
Communication and interaction: Edmodo

10. Use the unique features of technology to
maximize learning by customizing the learning
environment to enable students to use their
strengths and to diagnose and enhance
weaknesses
Examples: Moodle

11. Do not use technology to present information to a
passive, unknown, student audience
Examples: Khan Academy

12. Do not use passive technology tools such as
video to replace teachers, or social interaction
with teachers or peers
Example: Intelligent Tutoring systems, Virtual
tutors

13. Don't jump on the bandwagon, do some research
first

14. Always check for free software, cloud, Web 2.0 or
open source, BEFORE purchasing commercial
software

15. Never let technology replace hands-on, face to
face inquiry or interaction with a teacher

16. Strategies to cope with the digital divide:

17. Strategies to cope with the digital divide:
open source software

18. Strategies to cope with the digital divide:
Web 2.0 applications and cloud computing

19. Strategies to cope with the digital divide:
recycle computers

20. Strategies to cope with the digital divide:
libraries for Internet access

21. Strategies to cope with the digital divide:
Ubuntu

22. Strategies to cope with the digital divide:
Donorschoose.org

23. Strategies to cope with the digital divide:
partner with colleges, labs

24. grant proposals

25. Be OS neutral in school, be able to perform basic
functions on a Mac, Windows or Linux machine

26. Be patient, persistent and prepare for inevitable
glitches

27. Take frequent breaks to avoid stress, eye strain,
RSI

28. Become an expert on cybersafety, anti-virus, anti-
spyware software, firewalls, VPN, encryption

29. Learn how to assess the credibility of material on
the Internet, proper search engine use, and how
to access the “Deep” web

30. Be familiar with common social networking tools
such as Facebook, Twitter but exercise caution

31. Have balance in your life between real-world
physical activities and computing

32. Walk in the park

33. Sports

34. Dance

35. Yoga

36. Read widely on technology, both critics and
proponents

37. Don't be a Luddite or a mindless cheerleader
technology in education

38. Be like the judo master, turn ubiquitous
technology to educational advantage

39. Become familiar with Intellectual property issues,
copyright, Creative Commons licensing, sources
of royalty free multimedia

40. Form a team and community to share tips, tools
and knowledge

41. Clipart obtained from the Open Clip Art Library
http://www.openclipart.org