Realizing the Potential of Educational Technology.
Gilbert Valdez
1986
Citations
13
Citations
Journal
Educational Leadership
Semantic Scholar
Key Takeaway Key Takeaway: Educational technology has become a useful tool for schools, moving from a curiosity to a useful tool that enhances curriculum and instruction.
Abstract
Misha Miller, a 5th grader at Bloommgton. Minnesota's Normaldale Hills Elementary School, shou-s that she has sohvd the first LOGO challenge cf the day M any educational leaders be lieve that "the drive to inte grate computers into every as pea of education has lost much of its climbing power . and progress is largely stalled on a plateau Some experts blame the "stall" on lack of developmental research, equipment, and quality software.' The "experts are wrong A growing body of evidence suggests that 198586 is a turning point school year in which educational technology has moved from a curiosity to a useful tool that will help schools provide better curriculum and instruction. After sev eral years of decision making based on technological biases and hunches, educators have access to the first gen eration of legitimate research and analysis of trends in educational tech nology. Although it is less easy to document, 1985-86 may also become known a^ the year in which extreme claims technology totally replacing teachers, on the one hand, or being just another fad. on the other have been replaced by a more balanced understanding of what technology can and cannot do. This year may also mark the departure from the overem phasis on programming in favor of broad-based use of technology in many subject areas to enhance think ing and learning. To accomplish this, educators are moving toward flexible "utility software" word processors, spreadsheets, and databases to match the technology to their own creativity