In the early nineties when I was in high school we had very little technology. The computer lab had a dos 5.1 based program that tracked typing speeds, and the first Oregon Trail game. At home during this time my family just started using bulletin board systems that used dial up to get text and ascii pictures. My Sophomore year my parents purchased a Pentium 60 for $3000 and all my friends would come over to look at the games it had. The same year we purchased a CD player which was one of the first in my town.
2) TECH PRESENT:
I want to incorporate the use of technology at High School grade level in the sciences. I would like to have the students know how to use Excel to report data and do online research. I would want my students to have advanced layouts in the reports they would hand in. All of the technology skills are what they need in the working environment.
3) TECH FUTURE:
The most challenging problem is trying to use technology in the science class room on a budget. At Willamette High School they only have 2 or 3 rooms "technology enabled", with a standard classroom size of thirty students. The amount of money required to purchase 30 computers and software would be astounding.
Thomas - Your tech past made me chuckle...and reflect on my own early experiences with the Apple II and the Commodore 64. I suspect few in our class can relate! :-)
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated reading your point about the importance of integrating technology so students learn the skills they must have to succeed in the "real world." If we don't teach them how to use computers in K-12, will they be able to function in the workplace? Many will not...so we must add it to the ever-lengthening list of things to be taught in school.