Chapter 2 - Developing Learning Environments: Selecting Hardware and Software

Chapter 2 Developing Learning Environments: Selecting Hardware and Software

I want my students to create multimedia projects. What kind of scanner, camera, and printer do I need?



I want to update my lessons by making attractive handouts. I’ve got access to both a Windows and a Macintosh computer. Which is better?



I want to create a desktop presentation using a computer and a data projector to show examples. What do I need?

Selecting the technology you will integrate into your learning environment is not an easy task. Regardless of whether you're exploring an electronic database, locating information on the Internet, or creating a handout, there are many alternatives. When selecting hardware and software, use what you have and buy what you need. In other words, if you're not using the technology already available in your classroom, your administration is unlikely to purchase additional resources. For example, you can use older, slower computers for tasks such as word processing and old practice software. Reserve your newer, faster computers for streaming video and producing multimedia projects. Ask yourself the following questions. What is already available in your building or district? How long will it take to learn to use the computer and the particular package you'd like to integrate? Who is your audience and what will be the most effective and appealing technology for them? What kind of information do you want to convey, text or graphics? Do you want to use handouts or a projected medium? Do you need "extras", such as a scanner, digital camera, or a color printer for your projects? This chapter will help you clarify your needs and select tools for the production of media for your lessons. You’ll review the options available and then consider a variety of technology

Treehouse Tip Use what you have. Buy what you need.

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Building Treehouses for Learning: Technology in Today's Classrooms tools. You’ll also learn how to select hardware and software for materials production. By the end of the chapter, you’ll be able to select the hardware and software needed for integrating technology such as educational software and Internet into your classroom. In addition, you'll be able to select the production tools needed to produce your own lesson materials. After completing this chapter, you’ll be able to: • Select among lesson material options. • Select a hardware and software system.

Choosing Lesson Materials

Treehouse Tip Selecting Media Audience Content Access

There are many factors to consider in choosing your lesson materials. When selecting media, you need to consider your audience, your content, and access to hardware and software. First, the audience is an important consideration. The size of your group may dictate the technology you use. For example, a poster board is fine for a small group, but would be difficult to see in a large room. Younger children need information conveyed in pictures or simple words, while adult audiences can deal with charts and sentences. Second, you must consider your content. Key words may be all that are required to express your point, however in some instances, charts, diagrams, or other visuals are needed. You may wish to project your key points on a big screen, but then provide supplemental information in a handout. When considering media, remember that you are the teacher, not the media. Visuals should enhance your lesson, not relieve you of making key points yourself. They should emphasize your point or clarify verbal information. When selecting print materials and educational software, consider the readability of the resources. Will the materials be too easy or too difficult for your students? Do the illustrations, animations, and sounds attract or distract from learning? Finally, the hardware and software available in your building or district may dictate the media that you choose for your classroom. Also, ease of equipment access is critical. Is the hardware you need in your classroom, down the hall or in a lab across the building? For example, you may have the equipment to do a great color desktop presentation. However if your building only has one device to project the image on a large screen, you’ll be out of luck. You may love the Macintosh, but your district may only have old Windows computers available. Be realistic, but also be proactive by requesting or borrowing the equipment you need to support the kind of instructional environment you wish to build in your classroom.

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There are many commercial materials available for use in your classroom. From educational computer software and DVDs to videos and Internet resources, your choices are endless. Unfortunately many of the newest resources require the latest computers and operating systems. For example a teacher may have an older machine running Windows 98. This technology works fine for running older software, such as word processors and simple instructional software. However when the teacher tried to play a DVD, it wouldn't work. These types of problems can leave teachers frustrated.

Technology Production Options

In many cases, you'll decide to produce the instructional materials yourself. Or, you might get students involved in creating multimedia projects, printed reports, or web pages. All kinds of technology options are available for students and teachers. Projected media are a good choice for large audiences. With the use of a pointer, it’s easy for students to follow along. Projected media include transparencies, slides, video, and computer projections. The effective design of projected visuals can make the critical difference between the magnificent and the mediocre presentation. While desktop presentations can be most colorful and “professional,” the most common choice is a set of transparencies or a handout. The overhead projector can be used with the lights on and may provide a more flexible method of presenting visual information than slides or desktop presentations. Handouts are another excellent choice. Before producing printed materials, you need to determine their purpose. Will a handout be used as a guide during the lesson? You may have “thumbnails” of your transparencies reproduced as a handout. Or, will the handout be used as a supplemental resource after the class as part of a homework assignment? In this case, you might include a list of good books on recycling. Will you be directing the students to examine the materials during or after the lesson? Will you provide complete information, including examples and nonexamples, of your key ideas? Or, will the handout simply be an outline? Display materials are another option. You may have large bulletin boards in your classroom or be stuck with bare walls. Regardless of your classroom arrangement, you can design effective wall displays. You may also want to set up learning centers and tables that contain diagrams, realia (real materials, such as recyclable materials, cans, bottles, newspapers), books, and other materials. Signs, pop-up tents, and other display materials can also be incorporated. There are many tools available for the production of lesson materials. Sometimes these tools are also used for delivering

Treehouse Tip Technology Integration Print Materials Projected Materials Display Materials

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Building Treehouses for Learning: Technology in Today's Classrooms instruction. For example, desktop presentation packages such as PowerPoint allow users to design, develop, and deliver presentations all on the computer’s desktop. Although this type of system sounds best, in some cases it can become difficult to access all the equipment you need to deliver a presentation in your classroom. Don’t apologize for using the common transparency and handout approach. The materials are easy to store and all you need is an overhead projector.

Considering Production Tools Internet Connection Tech Reference Links LibrarySpot Links www.libraryspot.com/dictionaries/computerdictionaries.htm TechDictionary www.techdictionary.com What Is whatis.techtarget.com/ Webopedia www.webopedia.com/

Normally, you’ll use the production tools that are available in your area. Although a computer and a laser printer would be great, the production of effective and appealing lesson materials was possible before advanced technology came along. Computers have, however, dramatically changed what most people now consider the basic tools of media production. For example, to create an attractive transparency, you no longer have to sit for hours with a straightedge and rub-on letters. No longer do you need to grimace when someone wants to make a “minor” change. Computers have made the physical production of media so painless that you can spend more time on the effective design of visuals. A decade ago systems were expensive and difficult to use. In recent years, hardware and software costs have been reduced. Today’s low-end computer system is powerful, affordable and easy to use. To get started, you need a microcomputer, software, and a matching output device. This low-end system could be a personal computer, productivity software, and an ink jet printer. As demand and use increase, a variety of input and output devices as well as advanced software applications can be added to expand the basic setup. One of the primary advantages of using computer-generated materials is the ability to quickly update, correct and revise materials. Editing both text and graphics is a simple procedure. It’s easy to try a box for emphasis, then decide later to scrap the box and add a simple boldface type instead.

Selecting Classroom Technology

Treehouse Tip Pick the best technology for the job.

Macintosh, Sony, Dell, HP... What’s the best computer system? We’ll leave this debate for another book. The real keys to selecting a system are connectivity and compatibility. Of course the “experts” say to start by selecting the software that best meets your need, however you’ll probably be stuck with whatever is available in your classroom or building. Before jumping into selecting a computer, consider how it will be used. If you're going to be moving the computer around, then consider a laptop. If you'll be doing lots of page layout,

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think about a large, cinema screen. If your building has a wireless network, then be sure to order a computer with a wireless network card.

Computer Hardware

Central Processing Unit. The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of the computer. You may be familiar with the Pentium and the PowerPC processor. You want the newest CPU if you want to run the latest software.   Operating System. The Operating System is the basic software required to make the computer work. When you turn on the computer, the operating system starts up. There are two popular choices. You can use Microsoft Windows or the Macintosh operating system. With the Macintosh, you don't need Windows, but it's possible to get software that will run Window's software. Although Windows and Mac are the most popular, some people prefer other systems such as Linux. The Linux system is built with what's called "open source software" which means that it's free. Operating system software generally comes bundled with the computer. As new software becomes available, you may want to upgrade your system software. Be sure to purchase the correct software for your computer. Some software is available for both platforms. The platform is the type of computer and operating system you're using.   Operating Speed. The Operating Speed of your computer is the megahertz speed. If you purchased your computer five years ago, the speed is probably a few hundred megahertz. If you purchased it a couple years ago, it was probably around 500 megahertz. If you price computers today, you'll be looking at the gigahertz speed such as 3.4 gigahertz (1066 megahertz). Instead of hundreds, the systems are now measured in thousands.   Multitasking. Multitasking involves doing more than one task at a time. If you're running Windows, you might also want to have a iTunes music playing, a word processor working, a clip art picture open, a website up, and your email available. Each of these tasks requires RAM (Random Access Memory). If you purchased your computer a couple years ago, you probably have 256 megs of RAM. If you purchase your computer today, you'll want at least 512MB of RAM, some have 2GB or more. This would allow you to open Windows, Internet, and a number of applications at once. If you plan on doing lots of Internet, page layout, graphics, or video work, you'll probably want more RAM. Most new computers can easily be expanded.

Treehouse Tip Central Processing Unit Pentium PowerPC

Treehouse Tip Operating Systems Macintosh Windows

Treehouse Tip RAM Random Access Memory

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Building Treehouses for Learning: Technology in Today's Classrooms

Treehouse Tip Info Storage Devices Floppy Drives Removable Disk Drives Read-Write CD & DVD Drives Hard Drives Jump/Thumb/Flash Drives

 Information Storage Devices. Data storage devices have changed radically during the past several years. While some people still use floppy disks or Zip disks, most computers no longer come with these devices. Instead, new computers contain read-write CD and/or DVD drives often called burners. These writable disks can hold hundreds or thousands of "floppy disks" of information. Your computer will also come with a hard drive where most of your applications are stored. A few years ago, a hard drive would hold a few hundred "floppy disks" of information. Today's hard drives are measured in gigabites representing billions of bytes or thousands of "floppy disks". It's important to consider storage devices when purchasing a computer. If you'll be working with digital video, a large hard drive and DVD burner are essential storage devices. Also keep in mind that many people now keep much of their information stored on remote servers that are accessed over their school network or the Internet. For portable storage many people are bypassing disks in favor of tiny drives that are inserted in the Firewire or USB port of the computer. Sometimes called jump, thumb, flash, or pen drives, these are very popular tools in schools. Input Devices. You'll also want input devices. Most computers come with a keyboard and mouse. In addition, you may wish to purchase other peripherals. Instead of a mouse, you may want a trackball (an upside down mouse) or trackpad (you use your finger to move the cursor on the screen). Other variations of input devices include the bit pad, an electronic pen with a tablet and the light pen, which draws directly on-screen. Sometimes you simply need to do some brainstorming or writing away from the computer. A smart keyboard such as an Alphasmart may be the best choice. With a built-in word processor, students can do their writing anywhere and upload their document to a computer or printer using a cable or wireless system. Other devices such as PDAs (Personal Digital Assistant) have similar capabilities. If you want to scan photographs, consider purchase of a hand scanner or flatbed scanner. A scanner is probably the most popular peripheral. Scanners allow you to take any type of graphics image such as a photograph, line art, or halftone and transfer it into a digital image you can use within almost any program. When considering a scanner, keep in mind that it’s easy to get in sticky copyright situations if the items you are scanning are not originals or are not in the public domain. Also consider the level of quality required. If you’re printing on a laserprinter at 600 dots per inch, there’s no reason to scan an image at 2400 dots per inch. Although the quality would be pretty on the screen, it will revert back to 600 dpi to print.

Chapter 2 - Developing Learning Environments: Selecting Hardware and Software If you want to take pictures and put them directly into the computer, you'll buy a digital camera. With digital cameras, there's no film and no developing costs. The pictures are stored on a chip in the camera or on a small card sometimes called a smart or flash card. You use a cable to connect your camera to the computer, put the smart card directly in your computer or printer, or send the pictures through your wireless network. Users can take low quality or high quality pictures with these cameras depending on your storage capacity. High resolution pictures take more space on the storage card, but look more professional for projects such as the yearbook or school newspaper. Digital cameras range from a couple hundred to a couple thousand dollars depending on the options. Digital video cameras are also very popular. These video camera plug directly into the computer. If you wish to use an older video camera or digitize videotapes, you'll need to attach a special digitizing video box to your camera or VCR. Most Macintosh computers and some Windows computers come standard with the video inputs. It’s really simple and great fun! You can create your own movies that can be incorporated into all kinds of multimedia and web projects. You can also grab still pictures and place them in print or web documents. Just one word of warning: video work on the computer takes lots of RAM and gigs of hard drive space. A DVD burner is highly recommended. For simple projects such as short video clips and Internet videoconferencing, an "eyeball" camera is all you need. These inexpensive video cameras plug directly into your USB or firewire port. You'll also want a microphone to add sound to your projects. Many computers now come with microphones. If yours doesn't, stop by a computer store or Radio Shack and pick up a microphone. The new operating systems allow voice recognition. In other words, you can use the microphone to tell the computer what you want it to do. You can also use the microphone and an Internet connection to make Internet telephone calls or audio chatting! Finally, you'll need a connection to the Internet and other network resources. Most schools now have a wired or wireless network. If you're part of a large network, you'll probably have an ethernet connection. In this case, you simply need an ethernet card in your computer and a cable into the network source. If your school is wireless, you still need a wireless card in your computer to receive the signal. At home, you may use a cable modem, DSL line, satellite dish, or traditional dial-up modem to connect to the Internet. Many people are now using a wireless system in their home.

Treehouse Tip Input Devices Flash Drive Keyboard Mouse Trackball Trackpad Smart Keyboard PDA Scanner Digital Camera Digitizing Card Digital Video Camera Microphone Network Card Modem

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Building Treehouses for Learning: Technology in Today's Classrooms Output Devices. You'll also need output devices. A monitor is used to see the computer's image. If you want to use your computer with your entire classroom, you'll need a way to project onto a big screen or connect to a television. The least expensive solution is a scan converter. This small box and cable device allows you to hook your computer to a standard television set. Many new televisions are already setup for this option. To project onto a large screen, you'll need a data projector. Unfortunately, these still cost a thousand dollars or more. However they are as essential as a computer and printer in today's classroom! Another peripheral you'll want is a good set of speakers so the entire class can hear your lesson. For individual computers in the classroom, you may wish to purchase headphones, so that students can work quietly without distracting other members of the class. A printer is needed to print in black and white or color. Your choices are an inkjet printer or laser printer. Inkjet printers are less expensive and use black and white or color ink cartridges. Laser printers use dry carbon cartridges like photocopies. Both types of printers can print on regular paper, high-quality paper, or on transparency sheets. There are many other output devices. For example, a film recorder is an output device containing a built-in camera to produce 35mm slides. Beyond the basics, you may wish to add other input or output peripherals based on specific needs. Cri-

Treehouse Tip Output Devices Monitor Data Projector Speakers Printers Modem Film Recorder

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Read-Write CD/DVD Microphone Video/Audio Input Devices Figure 2-1. Sample computer hardware.

Removeable Disk Drive Storage Devices

Laser Printer Output Devices

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teria for selecting these devices are based on the kind of input or output desired, the money available, the production speed required, and the compatibility of the computer, the software, and the peripheral. It’s easy to get “suckered” into buying more than you need. Think about the quality and quantity of the media you produce regularly, then decide where you want to place your priorities. Sample hardware is shown in Figure 2-1.  

Computer Software

In addition to the computer, you'll also need software. Your computer may come bundled with some software. This can be a good deal and save you lots of money. Your computer is worthless without computer software, so plan on setting aside a few hundred dollars to get yourself started. The importance of selecting the best software to meet your needs should rank even higher than deciding what hardware to purchase. It’s the software that really makes the system. Sophisticated users will likely want a library of several packages with the user choosing the appropriate one for a particular task. In most cases, you’ll be able to find the same software for both Windows and Macintosh systems. You need to identify the package that best fits your needs without being cumbersome and complicated. You’re much better off selecting a more limited, easy-to-use package over a very complicated package with “everything.” List those features you need and those features you can do without. Then, choose the best package. Also consider how much you’ll be using a package. On the other hand, if a transparency here and there is the extent of your need, stick to something simple. For example, Adobe produces a number of software packages for editing photos. If you just want to adjust lightness, contrast, and image size, choose Photoshop Elements. However if you plan to do more sophisticated creation, editing, and enhancements, select the full version of PhotoShop. Although you may need to purchase major upgrades, many software packages now provide automatic updates through the Internet. This is much more convenient than purchasing a whole new piece of software. Productivity Tools. Start with tools that will be useful for your personal and professional work. You'll need a word processor for writing, database for information organization, spreadsheet for budgeting, and graphics software for drawing and painting. You may also want other specialized programs such as a page layout program or desktop presentation package. These can be purchased separately, as part of a suite, or as part of an integrated package. Individual software is often bundled

Treehouse Tip Software Productivity Tools Teaching/Learning Tools Utilities

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Building Treehouses for Learning: Technology in Today's Classrooms together as part of a suite. For example, Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint are part of the Microsoft Office Suite. If you don't need the power of each individual package, you may purchase an integrated package AppleWorks. You'll also want some education-specific utilities such as a gradebook. There are many other productivity tools you'll want to consider. Page layout programs like Adobe InDesign and Quark XPress are specifically designed to let you incorporate text and graphics on a page. Graphics application packages like Macromedia Freehand and Adobe Illustrator are designed specifically for the creation and layout of visuals. If you plan to do at lot of work with digitized images and QuickTime movies, consider Macromedia Fireworks or Adobe Photoshop for still pictures and Adobe Premiere for video editing. Presentation packages allow you to create visuals in addition to speaker notes and handouts. Microsoft PowerPoint is the most popular desktop presentation package. Web development tools including Macromedia Dreamweaver, Adobe Go Live, as well as Microsoft FrontPage. While some people may need high-end tools such as Macromedia Flash or Director for multimedia development, most educators find easy-to-use tools more useful. Clip art is another consideration. If you don’t want to mess with drawing or scanning pictures, buy commercial clip art. Most educational resource catalogs have entire sections of clip art resources including topics like holidays, sports, and health. You can also purchase online subscriptions to clip art and stock photo websites.

Treehouse Tip Norton Utilities is just one of many utilities packages that can be a life-saver if you have trouble with your computer.

Teaching/Learning Tools. There are many educational and instructional tools available. Informational software such as encyclopedias provide access to an endless array of text, graphics, video, and other types of information found on CD-ROM, DVD, and website subscriptions. Instructional software is intended to provide initial instruction, practice, or a simulation environment. Creativity software is used for students to express themselves through writing and drawing. KidPix by Broderbund is a popular painting and slide show page. When it comes to multimedia software, consider a package that you can learn along with your students. A package like HyperStudio can be used at all grade levels and is sophisticated enough for many student multimedia projects. Inspiration and Kidspiration are two popular tools for helping students think visually. Students can create concepts maps with the easy to use tools. Other tools such as Timeliner by Tom Snyder help students create timelines.  

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Hardware and Software Resources Sites Academic Superstore Apple Computers Cnet Dell Computers Computer4Sure PCConnection  

http://academicsuperstore.com/ http://www.apple.com/ http://www.cnet.com/ http://www.dell.com/ http://www.computer4sure.com/ http://www.pcconnection.com/

Table 2-1. Computer Hardware Sites.

Utilities. There are many other software packages you need. Screen savers, screen grabbers, virus protection, and disk doctors are often useful. Many people use a software package like FoolProof for computer and network security. You'll need web browser software to access the Internet. Some of this software you can get as freeware or shareware. Freeware is software in the public domain that anyone can copy and use. Shareware developers ask users to send a "donation" of a specific amount if you plan to use their software.  

Conclusion

Think of technology as a consumable in your school. With rapid changes in technology, you can only expect your equipment to be current for a few years. Also remember that there are many costs associated with the technology. Of course there is a large initial investment in computers, but there are also many other costs. You need to update your computers and get technical support. You need to consider facilities development such as wiring and networks along with furnishings. Initially you'll need to purchase individual pieces of software, lab packs, and network versions of software. Later, this software will need to be updated as new versions become available. There are also costs in maintenance and replacement of hardware and software. The expendable supplies are also a great expense. For example, inkjet cartridges are expensive. In a single month, some schools can use $500 in cartridges on a printer that was only $99 to purchase. The biggest cost in not in hardware or software, but in staff and professional development costs. You need technical support. In addition, educators need on-going training and development support. The Internet has become a popular place for people to purchase all kinds of goods and services. Use the Internet to explore product options and pricing (see Table 2-1). Regardless of whether you're using educational software with students or using the computer to create your own materials, it's critical that you carefully select the best hardware and software for the job.

Treehouse Tip Technology costs money. It's a fact of life in the information age.

Treehouse Tip Don't be afraid of buying a computer through the Internet. As long as you're dealing with the wellknown companies, go for it and save money!

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Building Treehouses for Learning: Technology in Today's Classrooms

Building the Treehouse Try It! What hardware and software do you need to get started using the computer in your classroom? Check out the options online and record your findings below. Hardware Computer CPU & Speed RAM Storage Devices Hard drive CD/DVD drive

Current System

My Wants

Add-Ons External Storage Scanner Digital Camera Digital Video Camera Microphone Speakers Video Digitizing Printer Software General Integrated Package Page Layout High-end graphics Low-end graphics Photo and video editing Presentation package Multimedia Clip art Educational Software Utilities (i.e., virus protection)

Selecting Hardware and Software