There are multiple reasons why it is important to learn how to use a variety of technology tools even if they change at a rapid speed. Most technology today is created to sync with other forms of technology. Digital tools tend to be designed to work with a range of technologies that span several years, typically a five to seven year spread. Most technology devices use similar ways to access information about the tool and to use the device functions. Technology is an evolving concept that is being improved daily and if you begin to learn about it you will be able to build on your knowledge as technology improves. We are quickly becoming a society that relies strictly on technology and our youth, The Net Generation, are growing up with these skills and knowledge. As teachers, it is important to be well versed with many technology tools to use in our classrooms and improve education. It is important to keep up with the changing times to best teach our students.
Educational technology can define a large variety of tools such as graphing calculators, laptop computers, digital media players and recorders, overhead projectors, smart boards, iPhone, e-books, digital cameras, GPS navigation receivers, PDA's, printers, scanners, web cams, flash drives, etc. or it can include software programs, Internet, and more. The list of educational technology is extensive and continues to grow. For each of these forms of technology you will find help features, suggestions for use, and instructional videos. Learning technology doesn't have to be difficult and once you begin it can make learning and education much easier and much more extensive.
Most desktop computers do the same thing as mobile devices, so why do teachers need to use both?
Although there are many similarities between desktop computers and mobile devices there are also differences. Mobile devices are often used for playing or recording audio and video files, taking photos, reading e-books, navigating to designated locations, graphing mathmatical information, scheduling and organizing a project, and entering personal responses to questions displayed to the class. Although you can still access the web, view emails, and communicate globally with your mobile devices from just about anywhere the small size can be limiting and the space in which to save information is also limited. Desktop computers are capable of many if not all of the things listed above and have the size and memory to be used in group setting and to save an extensive amount of information. Most mobile devices are compatable with laptop computers now and many mobile devices can send information collected from various locations back to your laptop.
How can the cost of digital devices be justified when the functions they preform are often limited in number and scope?
We are living in the Net Generation, a generation that runs on technology and digital devices. We use digital technology every day, in school, at work, at home, and anywhere inbetween. Technology can create a learning environment where the needs of all students are met. Each digital device covered in our text works closely with the next and the cost of these technologies is a small price to pay to be able to expand our educational approach.
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