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The Digital Learning Revolution --
Progress or Inertia?
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- Back in 1984, the Mac and the IBM PC were newborns
and many educators excitedly predicted that these devices
would forever change schools.
- Almost two decades later, computers have not made a
significant difference for most teachers. Basals still
dominate the K-6 curriculum, and stacks of workbooks
still fill student desks. Sure, classroom computers are
used for word processing, or maybe Internet searches, but
complete integration with curriculum is still a long way
off.
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- Some interesting technology innovations do find their
way into schools, via tech-savvy teachers and
gadget-loving administrators. Take the Palm handhelds,
for example, which have become popular with teachers and
students for specific tasks like keeping a calendar or
scoring reading tests. On page 23 , check out Ann Orr's
in-depth examination of some of the better educational
Palm OS applications. Other tech breakthroughs are coming
from the world of toys, from companies like Neurosmith
and Leapfrog. Gadgets like Phonics Tiles (page 5), for
instance, let children play with letters the way they
would blocks, with the added bonus of hearing the words
they "build" read out loud.
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- Be sure to check out our review of I Spy Challenger
-- a great logical thinking activity for the Game Boy
Advance. Game Boys in the classroom? Now there's an
interesting idea!
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- Stay tuned for a wild 2003.
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- Sincerely,
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- Ann, Ellen and Warren
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