Week 2

Issues shaping the role of technology and education

1. Economic issues - Due to the recent economic downfall in the U.S. economy, there has been decreased education funding.  It is predicted that funds will not return to previous levels when the economy improves. Thus making buying computers, and technology for schools almost impossible.

2. Viruses- are causing damage to computer labs. Viruses slow down computer programs and slow internet connections to technology throughout entire buildings.

3. Privacy/Saftety- more and more students have access in their free time to the internet. With facebook and myspace and social networking off the charts, it's increasingly dangerous to put personal information on the web.



Things we have learned from the history of educational technology:

1.Increasing costs of keeping up with technology- to integrate technology into education it requires a significant amout of money, up keep, and on-going teacher training.

2.Internet Era- Moasic was introduced and turned a text-based internet into a text and graphic internet. By the 1990's teachers and students incorporated more internet technology into their educational practices.

3.Technically possible does not always mean the application is desirable or even feasible. Just because an application involving technology is possible doesn't necessaraly mean it's the more desirable option for everyone. Some people perfer to do their communications face to face or over the phone.