Elementary Con- The Problems of Technology in the Elementary Classroom

1. Elementary Con- The Problems of Technology in the Elementary Classroom

2. Structural Problems with Technology Education

3. Three Predominant Problems Financing Infrastructure Socio-economic Inequity

4. Financial Problems Annual price per computer = $800 9% of minimum annual per-pupil state grant Cost is often underestimated Software Maintenance Training System Failures Hard for districts to maintain and upgrade Millions of teachers need more training before they are ready to really teach with computers. Bush Tax Cut makes municipal bonds harder to come by, straining efforts of local schools to finance techMillions of teachers need more training before they are ready to really teach with computers. Bush Tax Cut makes municipal bonds harder to come by, straining efforts of local schools to finance tech

5. Infrastructure Problems Reduced elementary class sizes Increasing elementary enrollment No room for computer labs

6. Infrastructure Problems Higher demand on on-line learning More advanced Internet content Need for faster Internet connections Internet Field Trips Poorer district can’t keep upInternet Field Trips Poorer district can’t keep up

7. Economic Inequity “Over the years, the costs of having a home computer and an Internet connection have become more affordable…but there still are a large number of low-income families who are left behind.” www.kidscount.org

8. “Compared to their wealthier peers, low-income elementary students are…more likely to use computers for games and recreation.”Henry Becker, UC Irvine

9. Digital Divide In 2001, 14% of children from families with incomes of $15,000 or less had Internet access (63% for families over$75,000) 83% of white children have a computer, compared with 47% of black children and 46% of Hispanic children Wealthy children without a computer at home are 20% more likely to have access to a computer at school than poor children Of the schools without Internet access, over 75% are located in central cities

10. “Increased use of technology before these inequities are lessened will only widen the educational gap between rich and poor.” (Delp, 2002)

11. Physical Effects of Technology Does technology really benefit elementary aged children?

12. Eye Strain Computer Monitors Lighting Looking at a computer monitor with poor lighting in the classroom can strain a child’s eyes. Looking at a computer monitor with poor lighting in the classroom can strain a child’s eyes.

13. Back / Wrist Strain Computer Monitors Repetitive Motions Chiropractic doctors treat more young patients as a result of improper computer use. Dr. Scott Bautch, president of the American Chiropractic Association’s Council on Occupational Health says, “Poor work habits and computer workstations that don’t fit a child’s body during the developing years can have harmful physical effects that can last a lifetime. Children are affected by computer monitors not being at the child’s eye level causing back, neck, and shoulder pain. Repetitive motion injuries are also being reported. Children suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome as well as, pain in the hands, back, neck, or shoulders. Many children sit at a keyboard angling their hands up or down. The mouse is also too far from the keyboard, so the child has to reach or hold their arm away from their body. Chiropractic doctors treat more young patients as a result of improper computer use. Dr. Scott Bautch, president of the American Chiropractic Association’s Council on Occupational Health says, “Poor work habits and computer workstations that don’t fit a child’s body during the developing years can have harmful physical effects that can last a lifetime. Children are affected by computer monitors not being at the child’s eye level causing back, neck, and shoulder pain. Repetitive motion injuries are also being reported. Children suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome as well as, pain in the hands, back, neck, or shoulders. Many children sit at a keyboard angling their hands up or down. The mouse is also too far from the keyboard, so the child has to reach or hold their arm away from their body.

17. The Psychological and Social Effects of Computers What is known about the psychological effects of computer use in preschool and elementary students? www.allianceforchildhood.org The Alliance for Childhood organization posits that not enough research has been done, and calls for a moratorium on use until more research has been conducted!

18. Further Calls for Research!! "We see this as the beginning of the end of the logjam on research into this," said William Rukeyser, coordinator of Learning in the Real World. "A number of heavyweight groups that aren't trying to sell something say it's time to take an arm's length look at this." "Children spend a lot of time surfing the Net but there is no research to date on the effects, especially on young children," said Miriam Bar-on, chairwoman of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Public Education. The organization educates pediatricians and the public about the impact of media on children. In the past, the academy has looked into how violence, advertisements, lyrics and music videos impact children and adolescents. Bar-on said this new research is an extension of those efforts. "We know there are effects, but we don't know what they are," added Bar-on, who also is a professor of pediatrics at Loyola University Chicago. "There's an effect to everything children are exposed to."  "In a public policy dialogue, it's important to identify where there are hard data available," Rukeyser said. "It's not prudent to proceed without evidence."

19. The effects (and concerns) of other similar Media http://www.jaacap.com Objective: To review the research literature published within the past 10 years regarding the impact of media on children and adolescents. Method: Media categories researched with computer technology included television and movies, rock music and music videos, advertising, video games, and computers and the Internet. Results: Research prior to 1990 documented that children learn behaviors and have their value systems shaped by media. Media research since has focused on content and viewing patterns. Conclusions: The primary effects of media exposure are increased violent and aggressive behavior, increased high-risk behaviors, including alcohol and tobacco use, and accelerated onset of sexual activity. The newer forms of media have not been adequately studied, but concern is warranted through the logical extension of earlier research on other media forms and the amount of time the average child spends viewing these media.

20. The Negative Social Effects! http://www.education-world.com/a_tech/tech029.shtmlhttp://childparenting.about.com/library/weekly/aa010600a.htm Stoll: It would be bad enough if computers simply didn't add to a child's education. The problem is that the use of computers subtracts from the student-to-teacher contact hours. It directs attention away from the student-teacher relationship and directs it toward the student-computer relationship. It teaches students to focus on getting information rather than on exploring and creating. Which is more interactive-- a student and a teacher or a student and a computer? ... Suppose we wanted to create a nation without social skills? Can you think of a better way to do that than to tell students, "Don't interact with the teacher. Interact with a computer?" Suppose we wanted to create a nation that can't read? Can you think of a better way to do that than to say to students, "Don't get your information from a book. Look it up on the Web?" If we wanted to discourage students from exploration, what better way than to search for answers on a computer?”

21. Effects on Instruction at the Elementary Level Can We Rebuild It?… Do We Have The… New demands are being placed on the educators of today. There is widespread agreement among parents, professionals, and educators that technology must be an integral part of the educational experience in order for today's students to fully succeed in the 21st century. Institutions are recognizing that it is important that students learn about, understand and use technology, which can enrich their lives, expand academic opportunities, and provide critical employment skills for entering the workforce of the global economy. New demands are being placed on the educators of today. There is widespread agreement among parents, professionals, and educators that technology must be an integral part of the educational experience in order for today's students to fully succeed in the 21st century. Institutions are recognizing that it is important that students learn about, understand and use technology, which can enrich their lives, expand academic opportunities, and provide critical employment skills for entering the workforce of the global economy.

22. Technology Education –Risks and Disadvantages Getting “Re-Educated” Monitoring Content Quality of Content Working with Learning Disabilities

23. Educating the Educators Where Do We Find the TIME?? Development of “newer” technologies requires constant “upgrading” Where Do We Find the TIME?? Development of “newer” technologies requires constant “upgrading” Where Do We Find the TIME?? Development of “newer” technologies requires constant “upgrading”

24. Are We Up To The Challenge? Educational computers can be "very demanding of teachers, requiring retraining, changes in pedagogical practices, and an entirely new body of knowledge to master. The most exciting uses of computers in education are a radical departure from current educational practices and could be threatening to educators and parents alike" (Cheever, p. 273) Educational computers can be "very demanding of teachers, requiring retraining, changes in pedagogical practices, and an entirely new body of knowledge to master. The most exciting uses of computers in education are a radical departure from current educational practices and could be threatening to educators and parents alike"Educational computers can be "very demanding of teachers, requiring retraining, changes in pedagogical practices, and an entirely new body of knowledge to master. The most exciting uses of computers in education are a radical departure from current educational practices and could be threatening to educators and parents alike"

25. Boy Scout Motto: BE PREPARED Less than 35 percent of teachers felt they were "well prepared" or "very well prepared" to use technology effectively. (U.S. Department of Education: April 2000) Less than 35 percent of teachers felt they were "well prepared" or "very well prepared" to use technology effectively. Less than 35 percent of teachers felt they were "well prepared" or "very well prepared" to use technology effectively.

26. Educators Responsibility of Monitoring Content Educators Need 30 Pairs of Eyes to Oversee Students Surfing Increasing use of the Internet presents risks of exposure to inappropriate and offensive content that give rise to legitimate concerns of educators and parents alike. It is important that Internet access and activities of K-12 students should be age appropriate and appropriately monitored by trained adults. Local school districts, not the federal government, are in the best position to decide whether and how to filter Internet use in their classrooms. Increasing use of the Internet presents risks of exposure to inappropriate and offensive content that give rise to legitimate concerns of educators and parents alike. It is important that Internet access and activities of K-12 students should be age appropriate and appropriately monitored by trained adults. Local school districts, not the federal government, are in the best position to decide whether and how to filter Internet use in their classrooms.

27. Quality and Legitimacy of Content Are Students Using Reputable Sources? The quality of information available through the Internet has to be monitored. As the Internet puts limitless new resources of information and expertise before us, its resources can prove both overwhelming and faulty. A professor at Southern Colorado University found that only 27 percent of the Web sites that middle and high school students in his study used for research were considered reliable sources of information. Preparing students to navigate in this sea of information is a formidable task. The quality of information available through the Internet has to be monitored. As the Internet puts limitless new resources of information and expertise before us, its resources can prove both overwhelming and faulty. A professor at Southern Colorado University found that only 27 percent of the Web sites that middle and high school students in his study used for research were considered reliable sources of information. Preparing students to navigate in this sea of information is a formidable task.

28. What’s Out There? “Only 27 percent of Web sites used for research were considered reliable sources of information.” The quality of information available through the Internet has to be monitored. As the Internet puts limitless new resources of information and expertise before us, its resources can prove both overwhelming and faulty. A professor at Southern Colorado University found that only 27 percent of the Web sites that middle and high school students in his study used for research were considered reliable sources of information. Preparing students to navigate in this sea of information is a formidable task. The quality of information available through the Internet has to be monitored. As the Internet puts limitless new resources of information and expertise before us, its resources can prove both overwhelming and faulty. A professor at Southern Colorado University found that only 27 percent of the Web sites that middle and high school students in his study used for research were considered reliable sources of information. Preparing students to navigate in this sea of information is a formidable task.

29. A Lack of Appropriate Software Thousands of documents exist although they are not easy to locate nor easy to satisfy general guiding principals for curriculum.

30. They Do Not Match Up! Curriculum Alignment Issues… Although computer programs are getting better with the problems concerning curriculum alignment it is still very difficult to find software that matches the information given in textbooks. And as the textbooks keep expanding their content coverage it becomes harder and harder for teacher to integrate meaningful computer lessons. Although computer programs are getting better with the problems concerning curriculum alignment it is still very difficult to find software that matches the information given in textbooks. And as the textbooks keep expanding their content coverage it becomes harder and harder for teacher to integrate meaningful computer lessons.

31. Drill & Kill Teachers repeatedly reviewing the same computer lessons leads to a lack of student interest. Usually a skill based lesson - Keyboarding As Caleb mentioned earlier, Teachers have a tendency to review the material and lessons they feel comfortable with. Often times skill based lessons like keyboarding are reviewed over and over again to the point that the students get bored with the drills and loss interest in the material being covered.As Caleb mentioned earlier, Teachers have a tendency to review the material and lessons they feel comfortable with. Often times skill based lessons like keyboarding are reviewed over and over again to the point that the students get bored with the drills and loss interest in the material being covered.

32. Lack of Faculty Participation Unreliable network Lack of leadership and support No release time to practice Given no specific programs or directives Without proactive , visible leadership from an administrator technological advances at the elementary level do not come easy. If support remains general and unfocused schools have little luck implementing computer technology.Without proactive , visible leadership from an administrator technological advances at the elementary level do not come easy. If support remains general and unfocused schools have little luck implementing computer technology.

33. “Without permanently available, reliable machinery in a majority of classrooms, faculty do not feel drawn or compelled to incorporate technology into their classrooms.” -Edwina Spodark, Ph.D. According to Dr. Edwina Sodark of Hollins University….According to Dr. Edwina Sodark of Hollins University….

34. No Child Left Behind? Elementary and secondary education reforms, including: Goals 2000: Educate America Act (1994), Improving America's Schools Act (1994), encourage expanding technology. Elementary and secondary education reforms, including: Goals 2000: Educate America Act (1994), Improving America's Schools Act (1994), encourage expanding technology. Elementary and secondary education reforms, including: Goals 2000: Educate America Act (1994), Improving America's Schools Act (1994), encourage expanding technology.

35. What about LD students? Visually impaired Hearing impaired EI students ESL students Will technology really improve their education? It is important for the teacher to be experienced and effective in using technology to meet the educational needs for each individual student. The importance of recognizing that all students, including LD's, have unique learning styles and unless the technology is customized to fit the individual, it will not be effective in the classroom. Provisions have to be implemented along with the technology such as: 1. Have adequate funding such as grants or donors to ensure proper equipment and planning will be effective for LD's. 2. Knowledge of which learning disabilities can (and cannot) be dealt with appropriately with the use of technology. 3. Teachers should have proper training working with LD’s and by supplied with individualized help if needed. 4. Teachers should become empowered and parents should become supportive. It is important for the teacher to be experienced and effective in using technology to meet the educational needs for each individual student. The importance of recognizing that all students, including LD's, have unique learning styles and unless the technology is customized to fit the individual, it will not be effective in the classroom. Provisions have to be implemented along with the technology such as:

36. Conclusion – Can These Goals Be Accomplished Effectively? Commitment must be made at many levels: Educators, administrators, parents, students and support staff all need to be on board

37. Bibliography Bautch, Scott. “Children Need to Practice Good Computer Ergonomics, Too.” American Chiropractic Association. August 30, 1999. Cheever, Daniel S., Jr. School Administrator's Guide to Computers in Education, Reading, Mass., Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, Inc., 1986. Kimble, Carol. “The Impact of Technology on Learning.” Mid-Continent Regional Educational Lab. May, 1999. Partridge, Susan. "Teaching Children, Including LD's in This High Tech Age." United States: ERIC, 1991 Reynolds, Eric. “Panning for Gold on the New Frontier.” ERIC May, 1999. Spodark, Edwina. “Five Obstacles to Technology Integration.” T.H.E. Journal, Vol. 30, No. 8,March 2003. Stoll, Clifford. The High Tech Heretic. Anchor Press, September 2000. Wilhelm, Tony. “Connecting Kids to Technology: Kids Count Snapshot.” ERIC June, 2002.

38. What do you think??? Given the… Structural and Financial Physical Psychological, Social and Emotional Instructional Impediments… Where do we go from here???