3.2+Hardware+in+the+Classroom

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 * __ GENERAL FINDINGS
 * Laptops/Notebooks:**

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laptop A **laptop** (aka **notebook computer**, **notebook** and **notepad**) is a small [|mobile computer], which weighs around 2-18 pounds (1-8 kg), depending on factors such as size, materials, etc. They usually run on a single main [|battery] or from an external [|AC/DC adapter] that charges the battery while simultaneously supplying power to the computer itself. Many laptops have a 3 volt cell to continuously run everything in the event of a power failure. Laptops contain components and perform the same functions as desktop computers, but are [|miniaturized] and optimized so that they’re portable and use efficient power consumption, but are usually less powerful even at the same price. Laptops usually have [|liquid crystal displays] and most of them use different memory modules for their [|random access memory (RAM)]. In addition to a built-in [|keyboard], they may utilize a [|touchpad] (also known as a track-pad) or a [|pointing stick] for input, though an external keyboard or [|mouse] can usually be attached.

**Teleconferencing:**

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teleconferencing  The telecommunications system supports the teleconferencing by providing audio, [|video], and/or [|data] services by means such as [|telephone], telegraph, teletype, [|radio], and [|television]. [|Internet tele]conferencing is when a teleconference is conducted over the [|Internet] or a [|Wide Area Network]. A key technology in this area is [|Voice over Internet Protocol] (VOIP). Teleconferencing software for personal use includes [|Skype], [|Google Talk], Windows Live Messenger and [|Yahoo Messenger].  Technology Used In Schools: ** http://www.sc.edu/scatp/cdrom/atused.html http://news.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,91221-1309283,00.html In **Scotland** **primary school** children start their day playing games on a **Nintendo** in an effort to boost their learning ability. As part of a trial, more than 900 pupils in 16 schools play brain training games on the DS console. A study at **St. Columba's Primary school** in Dundee showed that a daily session on Nintendo's More Brain Training helped to improve math skills, concentration and behaviour. http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2005-10/2005-10-20-voa65.cfm?CFID=291477654&CFTOKEN=43820096  In Vail, Arizona, every **Empire** **High School** student receives an Apple laptop computer to use instead of textbooks to access instructions for lab work, organizing data, and graphing results.  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/hereford/worcs/7213044.stm  In schools **Nintendo Wii consoles **are being used in **PE lessons** to encourage pupils to keep attend lessons and fit. Four high schools in Worcestershire are using the scheme which simulates real sports, such as tennis. According to people behind the scheme, using the game consoles also improved pupils' behaviour and teamwork skills. The project has already won a national school sports award and has been backed by the Department for Health. High schools that have taken part in the project identified pupils between the ages of 14-16 who have often skipped PE lessons. Heart rate monitors were also brought to show how much physical activity the teenagers were getting from using the consoles. A spokesman for the partnership said: //"We needed to think differently - non-traditional, innovative and appealing to their existing interests. The use of computer games to increase physical activity levels and raise attainment to some would seem contradictory, but with rigid structures in place, and by using specific games, students soon found themselves being active and engaged almost without realising it."//  **__Technology Used At Patana: __**  <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">Here at Patana we have various means of technology such as **Mobile** **computers/Laptops, Desktop computers** (PCs/flat screens), **Smart –boards,** and **Apple Macs.** <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">Using this technology helps us to do research on what we’re learning, be able to type up and graph our work, use different software, and we get to experience the advances in technology.
 * Teleconferencing ** is the exchange of [|information] between people and machines which are linked by a [|telecommunications system], usually over a [|phone line].
 * Assistive technology ** is used in **South Carolina****’s schools** to help students with accommodations, modifications or adaptations made to the environment, curriculum, instruction, or assessment practices. For example is a student has poor vision then enlarged text can be used. If a student has poor motor skills then an enlarged, simplified computer keyboard can be used. A non-verbal student can be the “caller” for a game of “Red Light/Green Light” by using a talking switch. Students who can comprehend what they’re learning at the 6th grade level, but can read only at the 3rd grade level, can read a textbook using a computer that scans and reads text. Assistive technology allows a teacher to build tools and materials that address students’ strengths as well as their weaknesses.

<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/7370922.stm <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">An increasing number of University students in Bristol and Bath **plagiarize** their essays, according to the BBC. The highest number is from the **UWE (University of the West of England)** where more than **300 cases** were identified in the last academic year, since 2005/06. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">Last year more than **70 cases** were reported last year in **Bristol** **University (from 12,000 undergraduates),** against 46 at **Bath** **University** **(13,000 undergraduates).** These figures have doubled since 2005/2006. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">The internet offers a large number of sources and therefore plagiarism can be hard to track. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">Keith Hicks, from UWE, said: //"The internet can actually make it easier for us to find the plagiarised material if it is not referenced."// <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">One growing source for students is essay-generating websites. //<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">"Essay mills recycle essays and our detection service picks them up," //<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US"> said Richard Edwards, assistant registrar in the University of Bristol's Education Support Unit. //<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">"The real problem is contract cheating where students put their work out to tender. The chief weapon against this is the academics doing the marking." // <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">Essay-generating websites claim that their websites are there to be used for research purposes only. Although not everyone is convinced by this, and as one Bristol undergraduate found, quality is never guaranteed. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/7262873.stm <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">According to the BBC, research suggests that the increase in technology threatens the art of handwriting. Survey statistics show that 1 in 3 children have difficulty with handwriting and around 1 in 5 use text message language when they need to do handwritten tasks. These results could impact educational achievement. In national tests the required standards aren’t met from around 4 out of 10 boys and about 25% of girls aged 11. However, only <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">3% of the marks are given for writing and spelling skills. Experts claim the ability to write affects the quality of the work because poor handwriting hampers a child's ability to express themselves <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">. //<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: black; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-language: EN-US">"If you are a slow writer you have not automated your writing skills adequately - so much so that much more of your mental capacity is taken up by processing that text. This even affects undergraduates in a stressed situation like an examination, but has a much greater impact at the younger age group.” // <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">
 * __<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 18.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB">Issues with Technology in the News: __**