4 reviews by Rick Ramthun

Schwartz, James E., Essentials of educational technology / James E. Schwartz. Boston : Allyn and
Bacon, c1999. LB 1028.43 S36 1999.
 
Back cover: "Nowadays, technology infiltrates every aspect of our lives. Computers are altering and
often improving the ways in which we do nearly everything. And, not surprisingly, there are many
effective ways to use the new technology in the classroom as well. This book describes those ways.
This clear, concise book discusses the integration of computer use into the curriculum. Presenting the
material as an integrated whole, the authors encourage readers to think about the enormous power
and potential of technology with its ability to change the way we think and learn. The book relates
the material to every major curriculum area, offering accompanying activities and ideas for readers.
And this book also prepares readers to anticipate and prevent unwanted, negative effects of
technology. The World Wide Web is discussed in great length as well. Teachers of computers and
technology."
 
Porter, Lynnette R., Creating the virtual classroom : distance learning with the Internet / Lynnette R.
Porter. New York : J. Wiley & Sons, c1997. LC5805.P67 1997.
 
Summation: "Distance learning is the separation of the teacher from the students and the students
from each other. This book introduces that concept and the current uses of it by educational
practitioners. The author discusses how to propose, plan and budget for a distance learning program
for any level from kindergarten through college. The book also covers different types of distance
learning from e-mail and Websites to online conferencing."
 
Mambretti, Catherine, Internet technology for schools / Catherine Mambretti. Jefferson, N.C. :
McFarland, c1999. LB1044.87 M25 1999.
 
Description: "Educators, librarians, parents and school board members are looking for ways to
utilize the Internet. This manual for educational decision-makers on building a K-12 network is
written for both computer-literate readers and those with little experience. Part I summarizes steps in
planning, funding and implementing a network, with examples of proven methodology. Proper
functioning, upgrading and future directions are discussed. Part II is a guide to the use of the
Internet, from policy and protection issues to 'virtual field trips.' Rural and remote learning educators
will find a section appropriate to their needs. Part III explains specific technical guidelines for
network infrastructures, with details on network topology, protocols and the types of connection
media."
 
Cooper, Gail and Garry Cooper, Virtual field trips / Gail Cooper and Garry Cooper. Englewood,
Colo. : Libraries Unlimited, 1997. Lb1044.87 C67 1997.
 
From Kerry Cochrane: "The Web-based "field trips" direct students to sites about famous people,
places, works of art and literature, scientific discoveries, and hobbies. Each entry is annotated and
cross-referenced when appropriate. Although the book is aimed at elementary-and
secondary-school teachers and students, its audience is much wider. With pointers to sites on
subjects such as fractal art, the Holocaust, daguerreotypes, Umberto Eco, and William Blake, it is
equally appropriate for high-school and college libraries and for general reference. The browsable
table of contents will help students of various ages who are searching for scholarly Web sites or
interesting topics to research. The sites selected for inclusion are largely produced by universities,
libraries, museums, and research centers, ensuring their quality and academic value. This makes the
book also useful for library-school instructors who want to show their students examples of
reputable, well-designed sites."

'WEB PORTALS AND SEARCH SITES" BY ALAN COHEN, AN ARTICLE IN
        PC MAGAZINE VOL.18 NO.17 OCTOBER 5, 1999
reviewed by Kathy Vaida
            THIS ARTICLE EVALUATES WEB PORTALS, INCLUDING AOL,
           EXCITE,GO NETWORK, LYCOS, MSN.COM, NETCENTER,
           SNAP.COM AND YAHOO FOR DIFFERENT FUNCTIONS SUCH AS
           NETWORK NAVIGATION, WEB-BASED E-MAIL AND CALENDAR,
           CONTENT , CREATING COMMUNITY AND SHOPPING.
           ACCORDING TO P.C.YAHOO WINS THIS YEAR!
               ADDITIONALLY, IT LOOKS AT SEARCH SITES SUCH AS
           ABOUT.COM, ALTAVISTA, ASK JEEVES, EXCITE, FAST SEARCH, GO
           NETWORK, GOOGLE, HOTBOT, LOOKSMART, LYCOS, NORTHERN
           LIGHT, SNAP.COM, YAHOO AND WEBCRAWLER.  SITES WERE
           EVALUATED BASED ON:
               1. EFFECTIVE ANTICIPATORY RESULTS
               2. CUSTOMIZING QUERY EFFECTIVELY

Five Reviews by George Hunkele

Update: Distance Learning Web Conferencing Tools. Technology & Learning (Sept 1999).

This is an excellent review of on-line resources for doing many of the things we are doing here. The article lists a variety of sites where groups of people can have threaded discussions, share documents and conference. Included in this list is FirstClass Collaborative Classroom (www.education.softarc.com), where participants can E-mail, conference and publish on the web. Additionally, Lotus LearningSpace (www.lotus.com/home.nsf/welcome/learnspace/) is a site that provides an instructional environment where shared applications web tours and asynchronous discussions can occur.

This article was of interest because currently we are establishing a link with our school and the neighboring town where both sites will be conducting scientific research. We hope to have students share results through the Internet and one of these sites. In this way students will not have to meet in person, instead they will simply meet through the Internet.

I am excited about this project and would not have thought about it if I hadn’t been enrolled in this class.

Technology: A Major Catalyst for Increasing Learning. T.H.E. Journal (October 1999). Jody C. Isernhagen

The article looked at two aspects of technology in the classroom. The use of CCC SuccessMaker and the increased use of technology in the classroom were the two areas examined in the research. The results were very exciting. I had mixed feelings about programs like SuccessMaker but these results are very encouraging. Additionally, the level that technology was used after teacher training was shown to increase. This is the area that I find more pertinent to my teaching was the authentic assignments that were done. As a member of the tech team at my school this is one of the areas that are expected to increase as training is conducted.

An interesting but expected result was that as teachers became trained in basic technology skills their needs changed and request for future information increased. This is promising for our school because the hope is that teachers will embrace technology and expose students to uses for technology.
 

Pathways to a new way of Learning and a New Way of Teaching. T.H.E. Journal (October 1999). Joseph Bombelli.

Pathways is a great example of Project-Based Learning (PBL). In this system students work in suites where they work on projects and solve problems. The Pathways program established its objectives and designed activities based on the SCANS report. This is a program that would clearly engage students with a variety of learning styles. Students are not simply completing a list of assignments but they are addressing realworld problems. Additionally students are not asked to do this with equipment from a time long, long ago but instead students are given the resources to do the job right.

While facilities do not allow for this program it has given me food for thought for ways that teachers can enhance their curriculum and challenge their students.
 

Web Searching A Group Project.  The Technology Teacher (May/June 1999).

This article addresses the problem with the Internet (sometimes it can be too much of a good thing), the effective use of the Internet. Skills that are critical to Internet use include evaluating their information need, choosing a search engine or directory, and evaluating websites and their information. The article provides the reader with a great instructional activity to teach students the skills they will need to use the Internet. Also, it provides a reminder of some of the pitfalls involved with using the Internet.

Training Today’s Teacher for Tomorrow’s Classrooms. T.H.E. Journal (October 1999). Mark Warner and Maureen Akins.

In this article I felt that I was reading about our class. I was very excited to learn that I had clearly selected the right course to prepare myself for using technology in the classroom.  The article also let me see what I needed to learn next. One of my shortcomings regarding technology is webpage construction. I have no knowledge of how to create a webpage and hope to learn because after reading some of the links the teachers in the article created I wish that I could do the same.