Tech in the Classroom: A History of Hype and Hysteria
Adoption by schools: Apple played a crucial role in the introduction of computers in classrooms, in part by promoting legislation to provide tax alternatives to computers who gave computers in schools, museums and libraries. In the early 1980s, Apple donated nearly 10,000 of its Apple Iie computers to California schools as part of the company Kids Can’t Watting of the company.
In 1984, there was a computer / student ratio 1:92 in American public schools. Twenty-four years later, in 2008, the ratio was 1: 4. By 2021, 90% of the managers of the school district questioned by the week of education declared that they provided a “digital learning device issued by the school” by pupil of the college and secondary school. Eighty-four percent said they were doing the same for their primary students.
Public panic:
“HAS. Daniel Peck, professor of education at the San Francisco State University, is typical of an increasingly vocal body of skeptics ”. We are in an explosion of computer religion to the detriment of basic education in basic skills, “said Peck.” We must not help. Peck organized an ad hoc committee of educators and business people, called the Basic Skills Education Committee, to combat computers’ march in schools.
“Computers: too early”, the Washington Post, 1983
The interactive whiteboard
Presented to the public: 1991
Cost: In 2009, they cost $ 700 to $ 4,500 (between around $ 1,069 and $ 6,874 when adjusted for inflation).
Adoption by schools: In the United States, almost a third of class K-12 rooms had an interactive carte blanche (or “wall screen” in 2009. From 2004 to 2009, world sales increased from 170,000 to 700,000, mainly in schools.
Public panic:
“There are real concerns about the high cost of white tables. Many educators would prefer to see investments entering other technologies, such as laptops or tablets. The educators also fear that white paintings focus on lessons focused on teachers on students centered on students. ”
“Interactive white tables allow more sharing”, the New York Times, 2012
Internet
Presented to the public: The World Wide Web was launched in 1991, but the traditional use of the Internet launched when Mosaic, the first graphic web browser, was released in 1993.
Cost: In 1996, unlimited internet access via AOL cost $ 19.99 per month (around $ 42 when adjusted for inflation).
Adoption by schools: In 1994, 3% of American public schools had internet access. In 2001, which had increased to 87%. The electronic rate program of the Federal Communications Commission, created in 1996 within the framework of the telecommunications law, helped subsidize the Internet for schools and libraries. In 2001, the electronic rate program initiated $ 5.8 billion from candidates across the country.
Public panic:
“Yes, the Internet is a fantastic, dynamic and scalable support that changes the world. However, this is not a technology intended to improve our schools. [President Bill] Clinton’s enthusiasm on the Internet offers a pathetic symbol but revealing the way history and the role of technology in education are misunderstood. This craze concerns politics and pandering, not promise and potential.“”
