Computers can enhance education in many ways. The perfect classroom would use technology like touch screens, projectors, and networked devices to create an interactive learning environment. Early education especially benefits from visual and participatory learning aided by programs teaching subjects like colors, language, and financial concepts. As students progress, computers can provide intelligent tutoring adapted to each student, simulations, research tools, and distance learning. Administratively, computers help with tasks like record keeping, assignments, and tracking student performance to improve the education process. While technology accelerates learning when used properly, its introduction poses challenges around equitable access, technical support, and passive learning if not implemented carefully.

1. Computers in Education
Week 8

2. What is the Perfect
Classroom?
Clean white wall in front of the
room
Show video clips
Project an computer screen
image
Write with special pens
Touch sensitive
Printing abilities
Networked to each Student’s PDA

3. Young Children
Education needs to be
visually stimulating
actively involved
Education starts at a very early age
- 1 year
Programs to teach colors, ABC,
even foreign languages stressing
participatory learning

4. Young Children
Learn at their own pace
Turn abstract into concrete
money and stocks
Slightly older children
benefit from edutainment
Benefit - learning is FUN

5. Literacy Requirements for
Education
SOL of public education has
a literacy requirement for
technology that is different
for each grade level
Is there a computer
literacy requirement at
ODU?

6. High School and Beyond
Intelligent tutoring
programs
adapts based upon
student responses
Computer based tutorial
Computer Simulation
Simulation games

7. High School and College
Research
Web searching
Distance Learning
Two way - IRI at ODU
Teletechnet
Virtual University

8. Administrative Uses
Instructors
testing
maintain grades
develop lesson plans
create homework
assignments
research

9. Administrative Uses
Schools
maintain student records
assign students to
classes and rooms
pay employees

10. Administrative Uses
Research studies
track students to determine
graduation rates, job offers
Student performance and
attitudes to improve the
education process
Provide information for
accountability reporting

11. Administrative Uses
Marketing
Web sites
CD-ROM tours
Virtual reality

12. Additional Uses by
Students
Application software
Storage of information
Instrument of research
E-mail
On-line applications
Homework help
Plagiarism???

13. Uses by Parents
Monitor students courses,
professors, activities, etc.
Email
Research tool to pick a
university

14. Education Outside of the
Classroom
Educational tools disguised as
games
SimCity
Oceans Below
Reference material presented
in video
pictorial atlas
body works

15. Advantages of Computers
in Education
Accelerated learning due to
tools and improved interest
High quality documents
Research facilitated
Improved monitoring of
students
Remote education

16. Disadvantages
Inability of schools to keep
pace with technology
Instructor/student
involvement diminished
Haves and Have nots
Maintenance of machines
Promotes laziness