The site is called The Technology Source. It is a free web magazine that focuses on integrating information technology tools in educational organizations. The purpose of Technology Source is to provide articles that will assist educators as they face the challenge of integrating information technology tools in teaching and in managing educational organizations. This site is basically intended for individuals in the education profession and others who are interested in gaining a better understanding of today's current issues regarding technology and education.

The founder and editor of the site is James Morrison, a University of North Carolina professor who teaches courses in research, planning, management and using technology in educational organizations. Some of the site's major sponsors include computer companies like Microsoft and Compaq.

Every month, a new issue is released and the contents of the site changes. The site allows readers to access articles from previous issues. Every issue contains the following sections:

1. Vision- This section focuses on the future, particularly on how information technology productivity tools are or will be used to facilitate learning

2. Commentary- This section includes observations and opinions on integrating technology in education.

3. Case Studies- This section focuses on how faculty members and administrators are using information technology productivity tools in new and innovative ways to improve their work.

4. Faculty and Staff Development- This section features how public schools and colleges and universities are preparing faculty and staff to use information technology productivity tools in their work.

5. Virtual University- Looks at the changes and development in Virtual Universities.

6. Critical Reading- This column strives to identify and combine some of the more interesting technology- and learning-related articles, papers, and research now available on the Web.

7. Site of the month- This section features a site that functions as an important resource for assisting educators in integrating information technology tools into their work.

8. Letters to the Editor- This section provides an opportunity for readers to provide Technology Source with feedback (comments, suggestions, questions) on their articles.

The format of the site is very simple and easy to read. The site gives a brief description of articles in each section, so that readers have a better idea of what will be covered in the current month's issue of Technology Source.

An interesting concept found in the article, "Connecting Students and Faculty through Technology, Collaboration, and Globalization at Wake Forest University", involved a University's attempt to measure the benefits of distributing lap top computers to all faculty and entering freshman. The program began in 1996 and within of couple years the retention rate of 1st year students who entered in 1996 was greater than that of those entering in the previous 3 years. The average GPA of the freshman class also increased. The first class to enroll under the strategic plan will not graduate until the year 2000. At that time, other measures, including graduation rates and senior survey results, will be compared to previous classes and other groups.

I just find it so amazing how fast technology has developed within the past decade. Who would've thought that one day, every student at a University would have access to a computer? Just like the University in the article, one day every student will own his or her very own laptop computer.

This month's article entitled, "The Future that is Already Here", written by Phillip Clark looks at technology developments and population demographics, and the possible implications on the future of education. Just like the concept that the future has already happened, the author believes the future of higher education is in place. Changes facing higher education include- changes in how the learning experience is delivered, changes in who is delivering the learning experience, and changes in the role of the professional educator.

The author displays some interesting statistics.  These statistics are indicators that our education system is changing.

- The amount of information in the world is doubling every 18 months. At a recent World Future Society Conference (1995), it was reported that the present information technology revolution is growing more than a million times faster than the historical evolutionary rate of humans and their systems.

- Within the next 25 years the population of the earth will increase by 33%. The global population was 2.8 billion in 1955 and is 5.8 billion now. It will increase by nearly 80 million people per year and reach approximately 8 billion by the year 2025

- The available data storage on a microchip doubles every year to 18 months. In 26 years, the number of transistors per chip has increased more than 3,200 times- from 2,300 on the 4004 in 1971 to 7.5 million on the current Pentium® II processor

How will these changes affect higher education? What should we value: traditional content or new thinking about new information? Is the quality of the relationship more important than the content? Is the quality of life experience more important than the content delivered at the institution? These are questions he asks readers to think about.

He's not saying that there will be an end to traditional teaching methods... these methods will continue. His focus in on maintaining the traditional teacher-student relationship, while implementing new technologies to meet new demands.

In this month's issue of Faculty and Staff Development, the article is titled "Learn North Carolina: Connecting Educators with Cables and Curriculum". Currently about 80% of our nation's schools are connected to the Internet. With the creation of Learn NC, teachers in North Carolina have access to an Internet based resource to facilitate training. Learn NC is an "electronic performance support system for teachers." Its mission and purpose is to provide web-based resources such as lesson plans, curriculum information, and discussion forums to all educators, particularly those teaching grades K-12.

Through a letter from Glenn Ralston in the Letters to the Editor section, I found the Learning in the Real World site. The site was interesting because in this class we are constantly debating the issue of computers as a Tool or Substitute. The site dedicates itself in discovering whether computers actually improve teaching and learning.

Which is a better learning environment: reality or virtual reality? In the 3 dimensional, real world, kids encounter the unexpected. On the 2 dimensional screen, children see only the choices a programmer has developed for them. The keyboard and mouse constrain a child's option to reach out and touch the world. In the real world, we can teach, explore and learn the patterns of connection which link different people, plants, animals, and places.

Q:  Could you briefly describe what sections can be found in this site?

A:  There are 8 main sections found in this site. These sections are labeled Vision, Commentary, Case Studies, Faculty and Staff Development, Virtual University, Critical Reading, Site of the Month, and Letter to the Editor. The descriptions to these various sections can be found ABOVE.

Q:  I feel that the computer kills the imagination, especially for a young person. How do you feel?

A:  In my opinion, the computer enhances people's imagination. It is definitely possible that computers can kill the imagination. However, this is only found in cases where computers are used as replacements to other forms of learning, like "hands-on" learning.

Q: Do you think the computer will replace paper and pencil? Why or why not?

A: Paper and pencil learning will never be completely replaced by computers.

Paper and pencil is "hands-on" learning. Children need to learn hand and eye coordination through traditional methods, such as the paper and pencil. Learning is a progression. If you replace paper and pencil with computers, they miss out on that progression.

Q: What is a good age to start teaching your child computer literacy?

A: The earlier the better, especially when it comes to computer literacy. Any kind of literacy is important to introduce at an early age. I believe that exposing them at a young age is very beneficial. As computers become more important, it will be necessary for children to learn computer skills at a young age. Those children who are not computer literate, will fall behind. We need to teach our children that the computer is not something to fear.

Q: What are the benefits of every student going through the same instructors?

A: Consistency. Every student will learn the same material, taught in the same way.

Q: What is your view? Computers as tools or as substitutes?

A:  I see computers as tools, not substitutes. We can't take away the traditional methods of learning. The computer is helpful as a tool but it has its limitations. Children need to learn through experience and through hands-on learning.

Q: Do you think that by having a "universal" way of teaching will allow for a better way or will it slow down the education because of a "one way thinking"?

A: There are disadvantages and advantages to using a "universal" way of teaching. On one hand, there's consistency. Every student learns the same material, which is taught in the same way. I guess it would also depend on the subject being taught. For accounting, a universal teaching method would work perfectly. However, using a universal method to teach religion would encourage a "one way" type of thinking and would not be appropriate.

Q: Will the introduction of computer technology in education improve the quality of education or will it compromise it in a negative way?

A: Using computers as learning tools has been very beneficial for students of all age groups. Children are being exposed to computers in schools at very early ages. Computers have improved the quality of education by allowing students access to information they normally would not have access to. Think of all the new information you've found using the Internet.

Q: In your own words, what benefits does the "Technology Source" give its visitors?

A: For individuals in the education community, it is a great site to find current issues regarding the integration of computers and education. For someone not involved in the education community, it is helpful in gaining a better understanding of information technology and education.

Q: Who writes all of the articles for the site and what qualifications do they have?

A:  A list of the various people contributing to the articles can be found at: http://horizon.unc.edu/TS/contributors.asp Technology Source also welcomes readers to consider submitting articles for publication.

I enjoyed working on this presentation. I learned about issues that never before crossed my mind. Now that I am aware of the challenges with integrating information technology tools in teaching , I am positive that I will be more attentive to the current technology issues effecting our education system. Although most of the articles were too technical for average readers like myself, I still recommend to anyone interested in discovering new teaching methods available to students today.

As for the presentation itself, I felt that it went quite smoothly. I prepared for it the night before, but was still a little nervous about presenting. Overall, I was satisfied with the results. Answering the questions were very easy, because there were none to answer. Lucky for me I was spared, even by Dr. James.

As with any of Professor James's reports, start early.  Before you start, be sure to carefully look at the Instructions for the Oral.html Files. Also look at previous oral presentation web sites to get a better idea of how to structure your report. And don't wait too long after the presentation to complete the written part. Do it early when it's still fresh in your mind. Good Luck!