EDB 566: Technological Change and Schools:

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ETE 566 Technological Change and Schools
Class Four Dr. Lih-Ching Chen Wang
Cleveland State University
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Class Agenda

• What is the unit of digital data representation?
• K G Chapter 3 H K Unit 1
• What are the components of Instructional
  Technology (ITEC)?
• Will ITEC improve students learning?
• Are computers worth the money?
• What are the Pros and Cons of Instructional
  Television (ITV)?
• What are the potentials of interactive video
  (such as videodisc, and DVD) in education?
• In-class activity 3 Second Life applications in
  education

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Unit of Digital Data Representation

• bit ? byte ? kilobyte (KB) ? megabyte (MB) ?
  gigabyte (GB) ? Terabyte (TB) ? Petabyte (PB)
• bit (binary digit) smallest piece of data,
  either 0 or 1
• Byte is used to represent a character. 1 byte can
  be 8 bits (28 256, that is 256
  representations), 16 bits, or 32 bits, or 64 bits
  . . .
• 1 KB 1,024 (210) bytes
• 1 MB 1,048,576 (220) bytes
• 1 GB 1,073,741,824 (230) bytes
• 1 TB 1,099,511,627,776 ( 240) bytes
• 1 PB 1,125,899,906,842,624 ( 250) bytes

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Before we get onward into the content, lets
watch a video clip online Give Education a
Second Life (http//www.youtube.com/watch?vIDB2rD
qfN4U, 333)
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Knapp Glen Chapter 3 - Foundations for Change
Student Performance and Classroom Structure
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I wont go back over the basic ideas in this
chapter you can read them just fine. In this
chapter, the authors mentioned a lot on
technology that can be used in the classroom. So
I will provide more current information on
instructional technology.
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Instructional Technology (ITEC)

• ITEC includes
• computers, telephone, cell phones, TVs, VCRs,
  camcorders, cable, satellite, CD-ROMs, videodisc
  players, DVD, iPod, Smart Board, etc.

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We will focus on the ITEC components in (1)
computers, (2) instructional television (ITV),
and (3) interactive videodisc in the following
slides.
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Will instructional technology (computer, ITV,
interactive video) improve students learning?

• Three inquiries are addressed further
• 1. Are computers worth the money?
• What is the power of computer technology?

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Will instructional technology improve students
learning? (continued . . .)

• 2. What are the Pros and Cons of Instructional
  Television (ITV)?
• 3. What are the potentials of interactive video
  (such as videodisc and DVD) in education?

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1. Are computers worth the money?

• The-technology-is-better group said YES
• There are two pieces of evidence that show
  computers DO seem to be worth the money
• Positive student attitudes
• Positive student performance

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Power of Computer Technology Positive Student
Attitudes

• Computers require interaction between the student
  and the technology (as opposed to, say, TV).

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Positive Student Attitudes . . . (continued)

• Computers are also often the focus of small-group
  activities requiring interaction among students.
• The combination of the two has been found to
  significantly improve student attitudes toward
  learning and school activities, even in areas not
  directly related to computers.

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Positive Student Attitudes . . . (continued)

• TV does what it wants to do. A computer does
  what you want it to. Passive to active
• Provides chances for learner control
• Feedback is quick, helpful, and doesnt subject
  the student to embarrassment.

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Positive Student Attitudes . . . (continued)

• Students are more likely to come to school and
  learn.
• Attitudes improve in writing, reading,
  mathematics, science, business, and computer
  learning
• Self-esteem and feelings of empowerment also
  improve
• Motivates students to attempt harder tasks

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Power of Computer Technology Positive Student
Performance (Cotton, 1991, p. 26)

• CAI leads to higher academic gains in science,
  foreign languages, math, reading, and language
  arts
• CAI benefits lower-achieving, younger,
  financially disadvantaged students
• CAI is more effective teaching lower-cognitive
  material than higher-cognitive material

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Positive Student Performance . . . (continued)

• Word processor leads to better writing outcomes
• Faster learning rate
• Better retention of content
• Similar results are beginning to become available
  for software such as simulations and databases
  which are targeted more at higher level thinking
  skills

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Taylors 3T (tutor/tool/tutee) Framework

• They are so many roles that computers can play in
  education.
• No matter which role it plays, one cannot forget
  Taylors (1980) framework of the computer as
  either as a tutor (CAI), as a tool (utilities),
  or as a tutee (programming).
• The framework of tutor/tool/tutee is used
  everywhere as major roles of computer use in
  education.

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To Successfully Use Computers as an Interactive
Learning Resource (1)

• Communication support and skill building
• Word processing for writing, spelling, and
  publishing
• PowerPoint for presentations
• Multimedia presentations with sound, pictures,
  images, and animation
• E-mail . . .

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To Successfully Use Computers as an Interactive
Learning Resource (2)

• Developing research skills
• Electronic databases in encyclopedias (e.g.
  http//www.wikipedia.org)
• Web searching
• Probeware Transforms the computer into a mini
  science lab (p. 28). E.g., uses the computer
  timer to compare the speed of falling objects
  such as a basketball, a tennis ball, and a golf
  ball
• Probeware success in Earth Science
  (http//www.youtube.com/watch?vPIHO5aDBRZY, 428)

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To Successfully Use Computers as an Interactive
Learning Resource (3)

• Increasing problem-solving abilities
• Uses MS Excel to change numerical data into
  graph(s) and chart(s) to help to solve the
  problem
• Learning through simulated environments
• Virtual Reality (e.g. Second Life) helps the
  students to simulate the planning of the actual
  setting, e.g., a state park, a car drive, a
  building design

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To Successfully Use Computers as an Interactive
Learning Resource (4)

• Distance learning
• Sharing ideas, joint reports or newsletters with
  distant colleagues/classmates from different
  countries all over the world
• Teacher as a role model
• Uses the computer and large screen as an
  electronic chalkboard

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How many computers are enough?

• A single classroom computer can be used as an
  effective tool for class demonstrations and
  whole-class learning experiences, e.g., how trees
  sprout from seeds, how whales have babies, how
  bees make honey, how astronauts walk on the moon.
• One computer per student helps students learn to
  be more competent writers, researchers, and
  problem-solvers when they use computers on a
  daily basis.

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Central point

• The teacher must believe in and model such uses
  of technology if the message is to reach the
  students.
• This means
• Teachers themselves must have computers (even if
  students dont)
• Teachers must have training
• Teachers must have practice
• It also means that the old model of the computer
  priest/priestess in the corner classroom is not
  appropriate.

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Summaries

• The good results come from settings where the
  teacher and the technology work as partners
  within a curriculum designed to make the optimal
  use of both the human and the computer
  applications
• Its not computer replaces teacher. Its
  computer and teacher become fundamental members
  of the same team.

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Next . . .Pros and Cons of Instructional
Television (ITV)

• How can ITV benefit us?
• Understanding TV, as opposed to just "watching
  it
• How does ITV affect school?

27

• TV has been used in education for more than 50
  years (since 1950s). Its effects are more
  positive than negative.

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Positive Effects (1)

• ITV is a window to the world
• For example, through news programs, documentaries
  (such as CNN), instructional channels (such as
  PBS, Learning, Discovery), and specialized
  channels (such as Lifetime on health, C-Span on
  politics), we can view the world through TV.

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Positive Effects (2)

• ITV is a window to the world
• It can help to introduce other countries'
  cultures to students.
• It can help to introduce the solar system,
  weather phenomena, stages of plant growth,
  geometry concepts, etc.
• It helps teachers to teach what they may feel is
  hard to explain.

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Positive Effects (3)

• It is a "mirror" of our society.
• It has the values of a "hidden curriculum".
• It can transmit the instructional values of
  politics, human relations, lifestyle, religion,
  etc.

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Positive Effects (4)

• It can provide an opportunity to teach cultural
  literacy. For example
• PBS transmits the arts (concerts, drama, dance)
• MTV transmits pop music
• ESPN transmits sports
• HBO transmits movies
• We can teach the students "common themes by the
  presentation of art, music, sports, myths,
  literature, poetry . . .

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Positive Effects (5)

• It can enhance visual literacy through critical
  viewing skills.
• For example, analyzing whether the program is
  realistic, stimulating, or stereotypical.

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Positive Effects (6)

• It can enhance students visual learning because
  
• It is a concrete form of information. Students
  can learn unfamiliar material, clarify an
  abstract idea, or visualize processes in this
  way. This is especially important for young
  children.
• It is more intrinsically interesting than text
  because it can simulate reality more closely and
  be perceptually pleasing.

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Positive Effects (7)

• It can enhance students visual learning because
  
• For the "TV generation", it is a good learning
  orientation because they are used to learning
  from TV, and they are more attracted to material
  presented via TV.
• The TV learning environment is more lively than a
  "visually impoverished" classroom.

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Positive Effects (8)

• TV is a "fabrication of reality.
• TV controls information such as news that had
  been selected prior to broadcast.
• Students participation can develop a variety of
  skills through creative challenges, thereby
  encouraging them to join the "video explosion".
• Media literacy is critical, especially for kids.

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Summaries (1)

• ITV can inform, instruct, entertain, and relax
  students.
• It can be a focal point for socializing, such as
  a Super Bowl party.
• It can present consumer products such as fashions
  and lifestyle.

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Summaries (2)

• It can serve as a babysitter.
• It is cheap and affordable to schools.
• It is convenient to use and can be used over and
  over again.
• It can be a powerful ITEC if it is used
  appropriately and efficiently.

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Negative Effects (1)

• TV can be a "funhouse" mirror, e.g.,
• distorted pictures of reality
• under-representation and stereotyping of
  minorities and women
• unrealistic and inappropriate role models
• unrelated to everyday life . . .

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Negative Effects (2)

• Some programs encourage aggressiveness
• Some programs expose audiences to disturbing
  phenomena such as violence and sex
• Some programs transmits negative social messages
  subconsciously
• Some commercials are mystified

40
Negative Effects (3)

• TV distracts the students from worthwhile
  activities such as reading and socializing.
• It is intellectually un-stimulating. The audience
  can easily become passive, think less, and have a
  short attention span.
• It provides stereotyped characters and poor role
  models.

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Summaries

• It is not the television that is at fault.
  Indeed, TV is an extremely effective teaching
  tool. The problem is how TV has been used.
  However, if used wisely, TV can be a positive and
  powerful teaching and learning resource (p. 36).
• To select appropriate TV programs for kids in
  this confusing information age is important for
  both parents and teachers.

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So . . .What are the Pros and Cons of
Instructional Television (ITV) in education?
(Hold that thought . . .)
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ITV on the Web (1)

• Sesame Street
• C is for Cookie (http//www.youtube.com/watch?vYe
  8mB6VsUHwfeaturechannel_page, 133)
• Homepage http//www.sesamestreet.org
• The Oregon Trail (http//www.youtube.com/watch?vY
  jPL9jwDdhAfeaturerelated, 652)
• CBS Survivor - Full Episode (http//www.cbs.com/pr
  imetime/survivor/video/?season17)

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ITV on the Web (2)

• Ohio University Visit (http//www.youtube.com/watc
  h?vh-TAmbTVcBYfeaturerelated, 331)
• theU.com - MIT "Admissions" (http//www.youtube.c
  om/watch?v_BTS_WGA25oNR1, 048)
• theU.com - MIT "The Setting" (http//www.youtube.
  com/watch?v0x3z2FkuloI, 109)

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Lastly . . .What are the potentials of
interactive video in education?
What is interactive video?
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Interactive Video

• Digital Video Disk (DVD)
• Online Interactive Streaming Video

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Digital Video Disc (DVD)

• DVD, which once stood for Digital Video Disc or
  Digital Versatile Disc, is optical disc storage
  technology. It's essentially a bigger, faster CD
  that can hold video as well as audio and computer
  data.
• DVD aims to encompass home entertainment,
  computers, and business information with a single
  digital format, eventually replacing audio CDs,
  videotapes, laser-discs, and CD-ROMs.
• The latest is Sony Blu-ray disc (BD) with a
  capacity of 25GB (single layer) and 50GB (dual
  layer). BD is an optical disc storage medium. Its
  main uses are high-definition video and data
  storage (http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blu-ray).

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Examples of DVD Movies

• Pleasantville This movie is a good example of
  computer graphic technology implemented into a
  movie.
• Other examples include Star Wars Toy Story Toy
  Story 2 Dinosaur Cast Away Crouching Tiger
  Hidden Dragon.

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Online Interactive Streaming Video

• Real Time
• Panda Cam - Live from the San Diego Zoo
  (http//www.sandiegozoo.org/pandacam/index.html)
• Non-real Time
• San Diego Zoo (http//www.youtube.com/watch?vH2Ea
  rd_prNY, 243)
• San Diego Zoo Pandas, Kangaroo, Binturong,
  Kookaburra! (http//www.youtube.com/watch?vvRREv_
  xn5gA, 623)

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Significance of Interactive Videos in
Restructuring Schools with Technology

• Computer has changed our society in many aspects.
  Of course, schools need to be changed with
  technology.
• Training teachers to use the technology is the
  first step in restructuring schools with
  technology.

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So, what are the potentials of interactive video
(e.g. DVD and online streaming video) in
education?
(Please hold that thought . . .).
52
Computer, ITV, Interactive Video can be great --
when they are used to draw students into highly
interactive learning activities, that is, they
are used wisely and efficiently they can become
powerful instructional technologies to help
teachers teaching and to improve students
learning.
Conclusions
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Activity time!
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A Prominent Virtual Reality Example Second Life
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The Birth of Second Life

• Second Life was opened to the public in 2003,
  and became popular in 2006.
• It is a 3-D online virtual world in which
  individuals (i.e. residents) interact both with
  the world itself and with other individuals in
  the world.

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The Birth of Second Life

• Each individual is represented in the online
  world by an avatar
• There are entire university campuses in Second
  Life. For example
• Ohio University Second Life Campus
  (http//www.youtube.com/watch?vaFuNFRie8wAfeatur
  erelated, 233)

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Examples of Second Life

• Harvard Law school has offered a class in the
  Second Life environment http//cyber.law.harvard.
  edu/cyberone/videos/CyberOne.mp4
• Sweden has opened an embassy in Second Life
  source CNN.com
• http//www.iphpbb.com/board/ftopic-30652567nx6161
  0-3147.html
• Second Life Apple Store (http//www.youtube.com/wa
  tch?vovL4pZod_gwfeaturerelated, 216)

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To Use Second Life

• A basic membership is free at http//www.secondlif
  e.com
• Linden dollars are the money used in Second Life
  (a limited supply is free, but you must earn most
  of them by working in Second Life)

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To Use Second Life

• Participants in Second Life can own virtual land
  (an acre, an island, a mountain) and conduct
  virtual business (e.g. creating clothing for
  other avatars, and selling it for Linden dollars
  to other participants)
• Participants are residents in an online community
  
• There are some things one cannot do with the
  basic membership but its fine for learning
  purposes

60
To Use Second Life

• You will need to download and install free
  software
• You will need a moderately fast Internet
  connection such as DSL, cable modem, or LAN (no
  telephone modems need apply)

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Why Use Second Life?

• Since Second Life is a virtual world, spending
  extensive time there involves a great deal of
  creation one creates an avatar, and, if one
  remains, one gradually creates a physical setting

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Why Use Second Life?

• This process of design and creation is an
  extended exercise in creative thinking
• In the process, one is part of a large online
  community which is a central aspect of Type II

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Lets watch some videos online . . .
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Introduction to SL

• Introduction to Second Life (http//www.youtube.co
  m/watch?vb72CvvMuD6Qfeaturerelated, 413)
• second life (http//www.youtube.com/watch?vflkgNn
  50k14NR1, 101)

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Second Life in Education

• Second Life in Education (http//www.youtube.com/w
  atch?vueAcz7ZyFpMfeaturerelated, 12049)
• Educational Uses of Second Life
  (http//www.youtube.com/watch?vqOFU9oUF2HA,
  659)
• Education in Second Life Explore the
  Possibilities (http//www.youtube.com/watch?vTMGR
  9q43dag, 601)

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SL Applications in Education

• Science Learning Opportunities in Second Life
  (http//www.youtube.com/watch?vEfsSGBraUhcNR1,
  324)
• Training Simulations in Second Life
  (http//www.youtube.com/watch?vDJTzNSV8pb0NR1,
  534)
• EdTech Island on Second Life (Revised)
  (http//www.youtube.com/watch?vw07GtOvnIU0NR1,
  424)

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SL Construction Tutorial

• Second Life Construction Tutorial
  (http//www.youtube.com/watch?vmVSzh_QTE00featur
  erelated, 440)
• Second Life Construction Tutorial 2
  (http//www.youtube.com/watch?v_jCACZtFCuwfeatur
  erelated, 518)
• Construction Tutorial Second Life!
  (http//www.youtube.com/watch?vrLNkGJvH7eMfeatur
  erelated, 1011)

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Open a Second Life account as you wish . . .

• SL homepage
• http//www.secondlife.com

69
In-class Activity 3

• What are the potentials of Second
• Life in education?

70
Your task

• Now it is your turn to think about the following
  question
• What are the potential applications of Second
  Life that can facilitate my teaching and enhance
  my student learning?
• Please take a few minutes to think of examples of
  ways in which Second Life can facilitate your
  teaching and student learning.
• Please explore other SL websites or watch other
  SL videos online, if necessary.

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When you are done

• Submit your notes within our class area in CE 8
• Put them in the discussions area, under the
  label In-class Activity 3 Second Life
  Applications in Teaching and Learning
• I will ask some of you to share in class, and we
  will discuss.

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Class 4 Reading Assignments

• K G Chapter 4
• H K Unit 2
• Class 5 PowerPoint class materials
• Preparation for the next class discussion

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Thats it for tonight!