Michael C. Warren

Technology and Education

Archive for the ‘Technology Education’ Category

History of the Internet – Powerpoint notes

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January 19th, 2010 at 1:36 pm

Microsoft – The uncertain software developer

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It amazes me that after the past several years of problems that people have had with Windows Vista, that Microsoft has chosen to make it more difficult to upgrade to Microsoft 7. Since the launch of Vista, many people have refused to subject themselves to the change that Vista provided, mostly the number of problems that have been obviously apparent to Microsoft. Numbers of organization and business IT department have refused to migrate their vast quantities of XP machines to Vista. In many cases these companies continued to install XP on machines that are new, paying extra to keep with XP.  Now Microsoft states that in order to Install Windows 7, you have to backup your entire drive and then reformat before installation.

I can see many many frustrated IT departments who are going to not upgrade but slowly wait for their XP machines to die in order to avoid the upgrade.  I could not image any IT department wanted to deal with possible lost files, reinstalling all the applications again, resetting all the preferences, and then hoping everything works. I believe this will be a slower launch than expected. And what really surprises me is this is not new to them. Lets look at the advances from the past. First Windows 3.11 to Windows 95. Many of the applications did not work with windows 95. Windows 95 to 98 and even the use of Windows NT and XP was pretty easy. But then Vista came along and It was like moving from Windows 3.11 to Windows 95, a very cumbersome process. Now with the introduction of Windows 7, the backing up of files they are choosing to do it again. Will the madness ever stop?

There is a saying that imitation is the best form of flattery, and I guess that is what Microsoft is saying to Apple. With the introduction of the Microsoft store the look and feel is that of a wannabe Apple store.

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October 23rd, 2009 at 10:59 am

Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006 – 2020: Educator Preparation

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The Educator Preparation category in the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006 – 2020 is the lowest rated category in the Campus Statewide Summary. This key area is for how technology is used by the educators in their classroom and how funds are devoted to training. 75% of Texas educators use technology for administrative tasks and classroom management. The Technology budget only allows only 6% to 24% for professional development.

When a majority of schools are achieving this level then it is going to be hard to increase technology in the other key areas as well. Instructors are also students who need to be taught new technologies and how to use them in their classrooms. Teachers need to be able to give projects that use technology to students in every class that will help the students focus on the learning. More funding would go toward professional development.

A simple way to help improve how well educators are prepared would be to offer online training sessions. Teachers are very busy and it would be beneficial to offer training that they could do during their planning period, or at home or during holiday break. Programs such as Moodle would offer a low cost solution with teachers and administrators developing sessions for each other.  I have been using this with students for the past year and found it very useful. I think other instructors would find it useful for their training and to use in their classes.

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June 14th, 2009 at 10:26 pm