Computers In the Classroom

1. Computers In the Classroom Benjamin Hackman Computer Science 1631, Winter 2011 Assignment # 1

2. History of Computers in the Classroom • Computers were used in the classroom as early as 1946. Students helped to construct vacuum-tube model computers to aid the war effort. Notably the Harvard Mark 1 was constructed at Harvard in 1943. The Vocational Education Act of 1963, and The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 brought microcomputers to schools more significantly. Although they were used more commonly for administrative use. In 1975, Apple began donating their Apple 1 Models too schools. This began an era of rapid growth of computer usage in schools.

3. 1970’s • 1971 marks the beginning of the first microprocessor computers being developed, mainly used in businesses. • 1975 Apple 1 PC’s are donated to some schools, other schools adopted mainframe and minicomputers instead of accepting the PC’s. • By 1979 15 million PC’s estimated to be in use worldwide. The task of integrating computers into schools was not easy. During the late 1970’s very few schools had any concrete plans for making computers a part of the classroom. Charles Blaschke, president of Education Tunrkey Systems, was the first to begin specializing in educational hardware. He recalls the late 70’s as a time of transition when schools began looking for reasons to incorporate computers into their curriculum. He is quoted as saying “There was increasing pressure from parents… who wanted their students to have the opportunities that computers could provide. Schools reacted by getting their first machines, although they didn’t know exactly how to put them to work.”

4. 1980’s • The 1980s marked the beginning of wide spread acceptance of computers in schools. The first drilling/practicing programs were developed for exclusive classroom use. • In 1981 IBM is the first to release a Personal Computer. . • In 1984, 31 states in the USA use 13,000 PC’s for career guidance, but are still relatively rare in the classroom. During this time however, an abundance of computer-based tutorials and learning games were developed. • By 1986, 25% of high schools in the United States were using PC’s. K-8 Schools buying mostly Apple II and Macintosh models. In high schools the DOS-based computers were more common. Teachers played a large role in utilizing this new technology. Brian Dougherty, president of Berkeley Softworks said: “Initially the process of getting computers in the classroom was a scattered grassroots effort on the part of individual teachers,”…”you had an individual teacher getting a computer, then individual schools planning courses in computer use,” This caused a tumble weed effect and within a few years most schools recognized computers as a integral part of the educational process.

5. 1990’s • In 1990 the multimedia PC is developed. Schools are beginning to use CD-ROMs with educational programs and databases. • The 1990’s brought on the era of the Computer Lab, with increased computer usage by students and teachers; The computer lab was developed, to house the growing number of computers. • 1995 is the begging of the world wide web as being a popular place to communicate. The internet in classroom, allowed for students to send emails, research information, and have more freedom to discover and learn on their own. • 1995-1999 the Internet becomes widely used and accepted in schools, with most schools having their own web servers, as well as faculty creating instructional web pages. The 1990’s allowed students to access all forms of multimedia, much like were able to today. The internet and new programs, allowed for video, animation, audio, and images to be accessible easily. Email also allowed for students around the globe to readily communicate with each other. As well it allowed student to get answers to their questions directly from scientists. A web site that existed in 1993 called: Ask a scientist. The site allowed students to email experts in all areas of study any questions they had.

6. Present Day • A stats Canada report for the 2003-2004 school year, states that 99% of all K-12 schools had computers, with 90% having internet access. • The modern classroom, now directly incorporates computers, and other forms of technology into students learning. • Things like smart boards (digital whiteboard), laptops, projectors, and other technology's, have all added for a more interactive and friendly learning environment for students. Computer use in the modern era, is almost second nature to students. Even young children are adapt at using a computer.

7. Pros of Computers in the Classroom • Better social skills and less aggression. Brigance study on socialization with 16 students showed double the rate of social-emotional growth in a high-technology environment. • Written work becomes easier and of better quality. • More sharing and collaboration • Shy and social awkward kids were more likely to participate in question answer situations which were computer-generated verses those carried out by a teacher. • An improvement in higher learning skills, like research, analysis, and evaluation. • More efficient learning, i.e. more learning in less time. • A more liberal classroom. i.e. children learn in groups or self-directed which leads the teacher to become less of a leader and more of a facilitator. • The amount and availability of information students have access too, through internet, and other computer programs, has increased learning ability exponentially.

8. Cons of Computers in the Classroom • Computers in the classroom seems to have very few cons in comparison to the pros. • One con would be that students will explore beyond the parameters of the projects at hand, and can be easily distracted by other activities on the computer. • The internet is like an ocean of material and sometimes its hard to find the right material. Teachers may spend more time planning lessons, which can cause frustration. • The main con of all this new technology is expense. In general technology is very expensive, and the better the quality the more expensive. This causes problems with special needs technology as many schools are unable to afford it.

9. The Online Classroom • Using the internet teachers are able to teach without physically present in a classroom, and vise versa for the students. • In 2006, the Sloan Consotium reported that more than 96% of large institution had some online class offerings. • Wikipedia states the nearly 3.2 million US students in 2005 were taking at least one online course in the fall term. An example of a great online classroom is Khan Accademy. It was created by Salman Khan. It is a not-for-profit educational organization with a stated mission “of providing a high quality education to anyone, anywhere” all for free. It includes a collection of over 2000+ educational videos in all areas of study.

10. How are computers helping education across the globe? • Computers are quickly entering schools in developing countries. Computer projects range from isolated kiosks in rural villages to large-scale high-end computer installations. • Despite a low computer to student ratio computers in developing nations are becoming increasing popular and helpful. Students will use multiple mice on one computer thus all the children getting access to the educational programs. • The use of computers has been a great success in supplementing teacher shortages. As well allowing underprivileged children access to technology. • Multimedia CD-ROMS have been also huge success in the developing world, with lessons in all aspects of study. The use of computers has been a great success in supplementing teacher shortages. As well allowing underprivileged children access to technology. Multimedia CD-ROMS have been also been largely successful in the developing world, with lessons in all aspects of study.

11. The Future of Computers in the Classroom • The future of the classroom, may not be a classroom for some people if they choose. More schools are offering online substitutes to their regular programs. The University of Pheonix and Grand Canyon University are just a couple of several universities offering full online degree programs. • As the internet continues to grow, so will the amount, and quality of the information. This will allow for generations of students to have access to a limitless library, and place of expression. As technology evolves, so will the technology evolve in the classroom. Apple has discussed a new touch screen OSX computer. Which will allow for an even more interactive experience.

12. Works Cited