The Future of Technology and Education

The Future of Technology and Education Steve Spengler, Coordinator Educational Technology Services Colonial Intermediate Unit 20

Technology — Then and Now $6.80 per student $5.23 per student Professional development $14.30 per student (includes networking $5.42 per student Internet services $9.70 per student $6.51 per student Instructional software $30.20 per student (Projected) $44.01 per student Hardware $6.15-$8.22 billion (Projected) $5.4 billion Total technology expenditures $80.40 per student $47.39 per student Dollars from local, state, and federal sources 2002-03 1997-98 Technology Spending

Technology — Then and Now 96% 65.2% Internet use by teachers 15% n/a Classrooms w/ Web pages 79% 47% Schools w/ Web pages 76% 39% Schools w/ filtering software 94% 48% Schools w/ AUPs 10% n/a Classrooms w/ wireless Internet 91% 40% Classrooms w/ Internet 99% 65% Schools w/ Internet connectivity 2002-03 1997-98 Internet Access

Technology — Then and Now 3.5 to 1 6.3 to 1 No. of students/computer 5% (2001-02) 24% Apple II, Non-windows, other 26% (2001-02) 41% Mac computers/district 69% (2001-02) 35% Wintel machines/district 9% n/a Laptops 13.6% n/a Handheld usage 6.0 to 1 19.7 to 1 No. of students/Internet connected computer 6.0 to 1 13.5 to 1 No. of students/mm computer 2002-03 1997-98 Computer Access

Current Technologies Internet and the World Wide Web Asynchronous online learning Web-based applications accessible from outside the school environment Email, Chat and Instant Messaging replacing traditional forms of communication Primary information/resource source

Current Technologies “ Mobile” Technologies Personal Handheld Computers Will continue to get more sophisticated Cell Phones Laptops Wireless devices These technologies are all merging into single devices!

Current Technologies PlayStation/Xbox multimedia and application design Raises the bar on student expectations Video transmission Conferencing Internet-based Cell Phone-based

Emerging Technologies Internet2 100X faster than today’s commodity Internet Examples of Uses CyberLearning with video Libraries of archival digital video footage Advanced videoconferencing—direct to the desktop Use remote instruments such as electron microscopes, robotic vehicles, satellites 3-dimensional images with virtual reality Tele-immersion—allows people to interact in real time as if they were in the same room even though they might be separated by time and space Videostreaming of multimedia content

Emerging Technologies Internet2 cont . 7200 schools, 550 community colleges, 500 colleges/universities, 1500 public libraries, and 100 museums 32 states involved Need switched 100 MB Ethernet connections to the classroom and at least a 50 MB pipeline running into the schools to take advantage of I2’s resources

Emerging Technologies Costs Depends on location and other variables Can purchase in bandwidth increments Estimates for typical T-1 circuit range from $350 to $1000 per month but could be higher depending on distance from the I2 access pt. Not eRate eligible.

Emerging Technologies Wireless Drastically changing all other technologies! Known as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or 802.11 Ubiquitous, always on Internet access Even on a small scale, it can create a big impact

Emerging Technologies Wireless cont. Benefits More easily integrated into the classroom when you don’t have to worry about wires! Provide access to distant or hard to wire locations, such as portable classrooms or transportation facilities Can have multiple users accessing the network without the cost of multiple hardwire drops to the classroom.

Emerging Technologies Wireless cont. Fixed wireless LAN—access point is located in fixed locations and computers with a wireless card can access it and the network within a certain range. Mobile labs—the access point is located on a rolling cart that can be wheeled from one room to another Creates an ad-hoc wireless LAN wherever the cart is connected to an ethernet cable.

Emerging Technologies Wireless cont. Security is an important issue but can be overcome. Poorly protected personal devices, such as your PDA, laptops, etc. Poorly protected networks—need VPN encryption on top of other encryption that is built-in to wireless devices.

Emerging Technologies Handheld Computing Low cost and powerful Increasingly used for instant student assessment Versatile plug-ins Digital cameras eBooks Audio files Standard applications Internet access Digital video clips

Emerging Technologies The Tablet PC Potential to completely rewrite how students interact with computers Uses handwriting and voice recognition Examples of Uses Digitize and electronically store handwritten notes/diagrams/drawings Search for handwritten or voice material Promote “paperless” processes

Emerging Technologies Nanotechnology The science of manipulating single atoms and molecules Examples of uses Ultra-dense storage capability Malleable newspapers or lightweight textbooks that could include video as well as words Gets us closer to real electronic paper

Emerging Technologies Thought-Controlled Computers Move a cursor on the screen by thinking Tested and working in animals at several laboratories Currently requires a fingernail-size brain implant Uses Hard to imagine!

What does this mean for schools? Teaching and Learning have changed! Instant gratification required Rules of “engagement” have increased Differentiation of instruction expected through differentiated task entry points to meet individual needs Local home/classroom virtual libraries that are media and information rich readily available

What does this mean for schools? Multi “text” approach to learning Increased student collaboration—in new paradigms Instant feedback and remediation Assessment becomes an ongoing and frequent activity Exploration, interactive, and inquiry-based learning take center stage Learning takes place in real-world contexts Learning takes place in places other than the classroom through asynchronous learning opportunities New methods of delivering instruction

Challenges and Opportunities for Teachers and Administrators Keeping up with the kids! Learning new strategies to keep students engaged Developing the vision to see the potential Keeping the eye on the ball—student achievement Developing appropriate forms of assessment for technology supported learning Maintaining the home/school connection

Barriers to Implementation Costs to keep up and current Current budget woes Skepticism regarding benefits of technology for learning and achievement Security concerns Teacher skills to integrate technology seamlessly into the learning environment Teacher vs. student skills The “Digital Divide” Existing paradigms—online textbooks vs. print, e.g. eDependence

Public Policy Issues Professional development of teachers and administrators Equity of access in school and at home Fiscal realities Keeping up with the latest advances Support issues Copyright Security and safety

Moving to a new generation First Generation Focused on Acquisition : obtaining the equipment and building the infrastructure Second Generation Focused on Integration : seeking effective strategies for using technology to support teaching and learning Third Generation Must focus on Transformation : using technology to fundamentally reshape the nature of teaching and learning

The Future of Technology and Education

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The Future of Technology and Education