Ice Machines, Steamboats, and Education: Structural Change and Educational Technologies.

This paper discusses educational technology and the structural changes that society must make to accommodate it. The paper begins by examining technology trends, including the exponential rate of change in the information industry, the growing ubiquitousness of computers, inequities in U.S. schools, and technology characteristics (e.g., the open source movement and globalization). Dreams of transformed education are then considered. These consist of: new tools, including literacy tools, design tools, tools for concepts, tool scaffolding, and the new textbook; and online courses, including online courses for students, online courses for teachers, and metacourses (i.e., online courses about online courses). It is concluded that schools need to undertake major changes to fully exploit technology. Includes an author biography. (MES) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Ice Machines, Steamboats, and Education: Structural Change and Educational Technologies LI S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION office of Educasonal Research and Improvement EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) ilyThis document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. 0 Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy.