Computers in Education Computers and calculators have been valorized for decades as instrumental tools for learning. But are they as helpful as they seem? - They make quick calculation easier, but allow the student to bypass an important process  algebra; - They make self-education easier, but avoid the socialization aspects of education; - They make learning fun, but take the important aspects of discipline and practice out of education; - They allow access to massive amounts of information, but reduce reading.

Computers in Education Factors in the development of computers in educationFactors in the development of computers in education: - Global Economy - Scientific Information Explosion - Emergence of Cognitive Science - New Educational Demands

Computers in Education A Brief History of Computers in EducationA Brief History of Computers in Education: 1963: Dartmouth U. offers time-sharing computer use, so many students could process punch cards; this became a regional computing center; 1963: Stanford professors create individualized computer instruction programs; Early 1970s: MIT develops the LOGO programming language, designed specifically to teach kids rigorous mathematical thinking.

Computers in Education A Brief History of Computers in EducationA Brief History of Computers in Education: 1970s The mass production of “microcomputers” (PCs) introduces computers en masse to schools and colleges. “Learning Environments” begin to be constructed (SOPHIE – John Seely Brown) Here begins the era of “Information Overload” Marshall McLuhan: due to TV and Internet, we are becoming “pattern recognizers” rather than simply “data collectors.”

Computers in Education 1980s: Management of Information Changes New Symbol Systems (spreadsheets, icons) Data Visualization (GUIs, tables, charts, etc.) Virtual Reality (simulators - flight, combat, games) 1990s: Distance Learning Computer-mediated-learning (the computer is the conduit and producer of knowledge) Learning-on-demand (auto tutorials) Organizational Learning (webcasts, webinars)

Computers in Education 2000s: Web 2.0 Increased speed of communication (broadband) Increased interactivity and individualized production of content (YouTube) Increased social networking and virtual reality possibilities (Second Life)