003+History+of+Computers



Computers have been affecting the lives of millions for years. While the first main uses were for science and math computations, computers gradually made their way into homes and lastly, schools. Computers have impacted K-12 education in numerous ways. Computers have been in schools for over fifty years and the many uses for them are growing due to No Child Left Behind and other federal and state standards. Slowly but surely, teachers are being taught the many uses of computers and how to incorporate them into every child’s education. Most textbooks and much of todays homework can be found online, so it will not be too long before computers will be used for complete classroom instruction. With the rate of change in technology, it is highly probable computers will play an essential and vital role in the evolution of education. **History of Computers** Computers have been around since the beginning of time. Historians like to recognize the abacus as one of the earliest types of computers, used purely for math computations. Throughout history, many different “computers” have been used in the military and in engineering. In the beginning they were used mostly for these subjects because they could compute calculations (Kopplin 2002). IBM was developing computers in the early 20th century; these were known as calculators, and were being used in businesses to help with inventory and financially (Kopplin 2002). The 1970’s was the era in which the PC debuted. During this decade, Microsoft and Apple were being developed (Cosper 2009). Apple came out with the Mac and by the nineties everyone had a computer, whether it was at school or at home. This time was the starting point for the rapid use of computers and technology we use today (Cosper 2009). Apple and Microsoft were offering programs and software to enhance computers. In the beginning computers were used as calculators, but now they are used for even more, even acting as TVs. **Past use of computers in Education** Computers didn’t make their first appearance into schools until the 1950’s. Even then, they were mostly used for administration (Hermes, 2009). However, technology soon became an essential in the education system and mainframes and minicomputers were used to teach subjects like math and science. “Early use of computers in education was primarily found in mathematics, science, and engineering as a mathematical problem-solving tool… (Computers in Education, 2010).” During the 70’s, the personal computer revolution began and computers were everywhere. “The computer was no longer a luxury, but was now a necessity for many schools and universities (Computers in Education, 2010).” Even though there were a large amount of computers in the education system, many teachers still did not know how to use this technology so, “In 1982, the National Commission on Excellence in Education recommended computer science as one of five new requirements for high school graduation(Hermes, 2009).” During this time Apple became very popular in the education system and adopted new learning devices which included word process and drawing applications (Hermes, 2009). The 90’s brought a new form of technology that could be used in the classroom. Laserdiscs would often come paired with textbooks, so the teacher could use this material to accompany their lesson. The Internet also flourished during the 90’s which resulted in many schools rewiring for Internet access (Hermes, 2009). Soon after, the millennium occurred which resulted in new laws brought on by the No Child Left Behind Act. The new law stated that every child had to be computer literate by the time they were in the eighth grade (Hermes, 2009).



**Present use of computers in Education** Computers have come a long way from the original one sold in the 1950’s and will continue to become more advanced than they are presently. In today’s world, it has become unheard of for anybody to get through the day without it involving a computer of some sort. Today it would be a very large disadvantage for someone not to know how to use a basic computer. With the computer literate mandate in The Child Left Behind Act,all students will now be taught how to use a computer. Colleges across the United States, are moving toward more and more online classes. These classes allow students to have the flexibility to do the class work when they have time and not have to actually participate at specified times or attend any classes. Also, the book publishers for a lot of college textbooks are now offered as eBooks. This cuts down on the cost of buying textbooks and students can receive the same information from the eBooks on the computer. This could cause both problems and solutions for some students. There are students that would struggle with a strictly online course and there are students that would love to have the freedom of not having to attend classes. According to Andrew Molnar (1997), the author of Computers in Education: A Brief History, “Research shows that educational technology, when properly applied, can provide an effective means for learning.” **Future uses of computers in E****ducation** Over the years, the amount of educational uses for computers has steadily grown and will only continue to do so in the future. According to Andrew Molnar (1997), the author of Computers in Education: A Brief History, “It is clear that in the future we will see a major restructuring of our social, industrial and educational institutions, and an increased reliance on computers and telecommunications for work and education.” And so, this reliance has begun. As stated earlier, many textbook publishers have begun offering electronic books; in the future, it is very likely the majority of textbooks will be electronic rather than printed. At the same time, the popularity of the online classes continue to grow. Soon, this classes could become the norm. For the elementary and secondary classrooms, computers are beginning to play a role in the reinvention of testing. According to a New York Times article, over the next 4 years two groups will receive $330 million to begin designing new assessments that will be computer based and measure higher-order skills(Dillon, 2010). Secretary of Education Arne Duncan states, "The use of smarter technology in assessments makes it possible to assess students by asking them to design products of experiments, to manipulate parameters, run tests, and record data." The tests are projected to be finished by the 2014-2015 school year (Dillon, 2010.) As technology continues to advance, so will the uses of computers in education. The future of computers in education is immense.

Even though the initial use for the computer was for science and math computations, computers increasingly made their way into homes and,then schools. Computers have been a very important tool of communication and are an ever present force in our lives. Even with various draw backs, imagine what life would be like without computers.



Sarah Wiland, Dameca Oliver, Yasi Parsi, Becca Ardinger

** References **

Cosper, Alex. "History & Evolution of Computers | EHow.com." EHow | How To Do Just About Everything! | How To Videos & Articles. Web. 12 Sept. 2010. .

Dillion, S. (2010, September 2). US educators to reinvent student tests, and how they are given." New York Times. Retrieved from [|http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/03/educ[[http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/03/education/03testing.html?_r=1|ation/03testing.html?_r=1] ]].

Hall, Shane. "The History of Technology in the Classroom | eHow.com." //eHow | How To Do Just About Everything! | How To Videos & Articles//. N.p., 19 Oct. 2009. Web. 12 Sept. 2010. < [] >.

Hermes, Amanda. "The History of Computers in School | eHow.com." //eHow | How To Do Just About Everything! | How To Videos & Articles//. N.p., 4 Oct. 2009. Web. 12 Sept. 2010. < [] >.

Kopplin, John. "Computer History." //Computer Science Lab Home Page: Learn Computer Programming//. Web. 11 Sept. 2010. .

Molnar, A. Computers in Education: A Brief History -- THE Journal. //THE Journal: Technological Horizons in Education -- THE Journal//. 01 June 1997. Web. 11 Sept. 2010. .

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Reader, Casey. “The History of Computers in Learning.” 5 August 2010. Web. 8 Sept. 2010

Thompson, Gale. "Computers in Education Information on Healthline." //Health Search Engine and Free Medical Information - Healthline//. 1998. Web. 11 Sept. 2010. .

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