Chapter Twelve: Educational Technology/ Overview of a Statewide System

In the video, "State Technical Planning," several different issues are addressed concerning technology in education. In the video, the development of technology and teacher training in the use and teaching of technology is discussed, with particular emphasis on the state of Louisiana. In the video, the importance of teacher training and the use of technology is discussed. Not all teachers are trained in how to use the technology that is available in the classroom. This lack of training is a significant hurdle for technology education because these teachers who do not know how to use the technology are unable to teach with it. Collaboration between K-12 and higher education institutes in teacher training could help in the teaching of technology in the classroom by having a standard and a set of achievable goals for each level that are communicated throughout. Through this type of collaboration, an understanding of what should be taught and used on each level would create an easier transition for the students in developing their own use of technology. It is imperative to obtain legislative, community, and government support toward planning a statewide technology teacher training because it is important for all individuals involved to understand the procedures and what is involved. Through gaining all of this support, the training can be more successful because everyone has an opportunity to voice their opinion about what should be included. Teachers need training in technology, including the use of technology, how to teach the basic functions, and how to use technology to their own advantage in their teaching. Teachers need continuous support in technology training because it is field that is rapidly changing and growing. Technology training is an ongoing process that should be continuously done. A major issue facing teachers is funding for technology and for training. If all schools were given full support, including both financial support and technical support, for technology in the classroom, the classroom environment would look much different. In this perfect world, every child would have full access to a computer, and teachers would be fully capable of instructing students utilizing these tools. Also, every student would be challenged because in this perfect world, the technology would allow for every student's lesson to be individualized based on his or her own learning style, strategy, and ability. I think in this scenario, everyone, students and teachers, would be confidant and competent in their abilities to use the technology that is available.

Chapter Eleven: Educational Technology/Assistive Technologies and Universal Design

In the video, the instructors discuss universal design in education. Universal design in education is the application of technology to make it accessible to all students. The faculty member discusses the importance of accessility of technology for students with disabilities. He then discussed how accomodations can be made to make technology more accessible. A universal design textbook could work with a student with cognitive disabilities by making the information more readily accessible for the student through explaining the information in terms that the student can understand, utilizing pictures and less text with the press of a button. A universal design textbook could be adjusted to meet the needs of the student, which is important for all students, including both students with disabilities as well as students at an advanced level. For students with physical disabilities, such as visually impaired, the universal design textbook can have enlarged text as an option, as well as an option for reading the text aloud to the student. Through the use of universal design, the classroom is far more accessible for all students because it can create a more "individualized" learning experience for the student. In universal design, options allow for different students' needs, such as different reading levels. This is important in a classroom that includes students of different learning styles and levels. I think that universal design in education is beneficial because it meets the needs of those students who would not otherwise be able to participate in the class. For example, students with a lower reading level than that of the textbook would otherwise be forced to struggle in the classroom or become bored and distracted because of the lack of understanding. However, with universal design, teachers are able to have textbooks that are adjustable to the students' level or understanding. I think that universal design would help me in my classroom because it would help allow me to involve all of the students in the lesson. Rather than struggling to help those students who do not quite understand what the textbook is referring to, I would be able to encourage the students who now understand the text because it is at their level.

Chapter Ten: Educational Technology/ Options for Virtual Students

In the video, "Options for Virtual Students," students, parents, and teachers discuss online learning and advantages and disadvantages of the format. The advantages that the students address in the video include ease of use, excellent communication, lack of interruption from classmates, one on one communication with the instructor, more advanced studies and quality of work. If states would offer more opportunitites for online learning, more students would be able to complete the requisite classes for their education, which would enable them to learn more and go further in their studies, even if that means simply graduating high school. Online learning is a format of learning that allows students to learn from a distance but still be connected to the educator and to the rest of the class. With a simple click of the mouse, these distance learning students can be connected. Through adding more online programs, more students would have the opportunity to complete classes that would lead to better jobs and a more educated society in general. However, while online learning does have several advantages, there are disadvantages. Some disadvantages include unfamiliarity with technology as well as lack of peer interaction. While these disadvantages are serious and do pose a concern, there are ways to overcome these disadvantages. Through education, students can overcome their limitation with the technology and become more familiar with using it. Through assigning group work and encouraging discussion among peers through discussion board, chats, etc. that are available through the internet, educators can encourage students to interact with each other. This interaction is important because it can help students to better understand the lessons and develop further interest in class topics.