Technological

__Technological Impacts 1989-2009__
 * 1990 Dial up access to the Internet is offered for the first time
 * 1990 The Hubble Space Telescope is launched
 * 1991 The movie "Terminator 2" is released. The movie contains cutting edge technology special effects that pave the way for future computer generated animation
 * 1992 The first retail CD-Rom is released by Sony
 * 1993 The USB port is invented
 * 1993 Jim Clark and Marc Anderson create an Internet browser called "Netscape"
 * 1995 Microsoft launches a new Internet browser called "Internet Explorer"
 * 1995 The White House creates a web page
 * 1995 The first macro virus is detected
 * 1996 Palm introduces the Pilot 1000
 * 1997 The first DVD becomes available
 * 1998 The first email virus is detected
 * 1999 My Space begins
 * 1999 The movie "The Matrix" changes the way computer generated graphics are used in movies
 * 2001 The iPod and Wikipedia are introduced
 * 2004 Notebook PCs outsell televisions during the holiday season for the first time in history
 * 2008 The Edible Chip is developed and utilized in clinical trials. The chip is swallowed, activated in the stomach, and sends data on your body to a physician.
 * 2008 Intel demonstrates a wireless electric system (no need for wall outlets or transformers)


 * __Working Strategy__**

As schools operate in 2009 and beyond, the question must be asked, " Will education be able to keep up with technology?" To date, education is becoming more techology friendly, however, we are still behind the times. The process of top loading the technology in schools so that the oldest students receive the most current technology needs to change. In today's times, elementary students are more than capable of handling the technologies that are available. Online assessments, Powerpoint, Smartboards, Wikis, and blogs/discussion boards are all tools that are able to be utilized by students regardless of level. A balanced approach to the distribution and use of available technologies must occur.

In 2009, it is not uncommon to find that students are likely more proficient in the use of technologies than the teachers. As a result, students should be permitted to utilize technology for projects and assignments. Moving beyond the more traditional student assignments of worksheets and book reports will help to better prepare students for the future. Teachers will need additional trainings and practice in these technologies in order to support the students in this technological revolution.

Additional changes will need to be made to educational policy. Students have a variety of tools at their fingertips that they are not permitted to utilize in schools. Items such as cell phones, iPods, and other handheld devices are currently outlawed in most schools. Rather than discouraging and punishing students for their use of these items, schools should embrace them as available technologies and integrate their use into instruction.

To begin building Leadership Capacity, please refer to the Toolbox subpage

__Links for Educators to Get Additional Information on Educational Technology__

Education World Technology Tools [] Free Educational Technology Tools [] 4 Teachers: Teach with Technology [] Top Ten Free Education Technology Tools [] Educational Technology: Technology Tools for Learning and Assessment []