Journal Review NetOP

Assignment: Journal reviews

CrossTec Corporation
"NetOp School" Technology & Learning, December, 2003 - Volume 24, Number 5
Product Presentation

A presentation of state-of-the-art classroom technology. The NetOp School system gives a teacher, who is in a computer-lab setting, absolute control over each student's personal computer and a central projection system. This product review describes, what I believe, is the ideal teaching environment. The product review prompted me to pursue it further at the NetOp web site.

Here is the scenario that their educational system supports:
Each student has her/his individual computer with them at their desks (or elsewhere, hopefully, if wireless). Every computer is connected to the teachers console in the front of the classroom. The technology allows the teacher to a) monitor every computer in the class, b) send messages, files, assignments to each computer or any group of computers, c) project the screen of any specific student onto the front screen for highlighting discussion, d) freeze all activity on any one or all computers in order to get students' attention, e) collaborate with any one student via private application sharing and white board.

A clever Flash animated demonstration on their web site illustrates some of the versatile uses of their classroom instructional system.

If I could add a few elements that would make this learning environment even better I might replace all desktop computers with small tablet pc's or perhaps handheld computers. The tablet pc's and/or handheld computers along with projected"smartboard" technology in the front of the classroom would allow students from their "desks" to write, draw, execute, manipulate, contribute to the projected screen image in the front of the class. I would make the environment wireless. I would use Bluetooth and infrared beaming technology and create collaborative and cooperative projects/games. In an ideal world these students' computers would go home with the students each day and be "connected" to the classroom server 24/7.

reviewed by Jerry Garfunkel

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CrossTec Corporation
"NetOp School" Technology & Learning, December, 2003 - Volume 24, Number 5
Product Presentation

Which of the ISTE Standards are discussed in this article?

ISTE Standards
1 Basic operations and concepts	No	> Students demonstrate a sound understanding of the nature and operation of technology systems.
1 Basic operations and concepts	*Yes*	> Students are proficient in the use of technology.
2 Social, ethical, and human issues	No	> Students understand the ethical, cultural, and societal issues related to technology.
	*Yes*	> Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software. Legal
	*Yes*	> Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.
3 Technology productivity tools	*Yes*	> Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.
3 Technology productivity tools	*Yes*	> Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works.
4 Technology communications tools	*Yes*	> Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences.
4 Technology communications tools	*Yes*	> Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.
5 Technology research tools	No	> Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources. Research
	No	> Students use technology tools to process data and report results.
	No	> Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness for specific tasks. Critical thinking - knowledge, evaluation, synthesis, application
6 Technology problem-solving and decision-making tools	No	> Students use technology resources for solving problems and making informed decisions. Webquests
6 Technology problem-solving and decision-making tools	No	> Students employ technology in the development of strategies for solving problems in the real world.Critical thinking - knowledge, evaluation, synthesis, application
this chart was cut and pasted from http://cnets.iste.org/docs/NETS_S.doc. It is a personal homeworkaid for me. J. Garfunkel

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Which of the NY State Technology Education Standards are discussed in this article?

NYS Technology Education Standards
Design	*Yes*	Engineering Design
		Key Idea: Engineering design is an iterative process involving modeling and optimization used to develop technological solutions to problems within given constraints.
Tools	*Yes*	Tools, Resources and Technological Processes
		Key Idea: Technological tools, materials, and other resources should be selected on the basis of safety, cost, availability, appropriateness, and environmental impact; technological processes change energy, information, and material resources into more useful forms.
Computer	*Yes*	Computer Technology
		Key Idea: Computers, as tools for design, modeling, information processing, communication, and system control, have greatly increased human productivity and knowledge.
System	*Yes*	Technology Systems
		Key Idea: Technological systems are designed to achieve specific results and produce outputs, such as products, structures, services, energy, or other systems.
History	No	History & Evolution of Technology
		Key Idea: Technology has been the driving force in the evolution of society from an agricultural to an industrial to an information base.
Impact	No	Impacts of Technology
		Key Idea: Technology can have positive and negative impacts on individuals, society, and the environment and humans have the capability and responsibility to constrain or promote technological development.
Management	*Yes*	Management of Technology
		Key Idea: Project management is essential to ensuring that technological endeavors are profitable and that products and systems are of high quality and built safely, on schedule, and within budget.
this chart was cut and pasted from http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/ciai/mst/techmap/map.htm. It is a personal homeworkaid for me. J. Garfunkel