Hardware+and+Software

__**Hardware and Software **__

Written by: John Gienau

__//**Abstract **//__

Teachers in today's 21st Century model of education are tenative when it comes to integrating new pedagogical methods in the classroom; especially when it comes to using technology in the classroom. However, what about the newest and most up to date information? This is what even the established teachers are tentative about using. In order to properly utilize this website all teachers and administrators must have some knowledge of technology and must be eager to learn more about the newest forms of hardware and software that can be integrated in the classroom. This website is intended to exhibit what pieces of hardware and software can be an asset to your classroom or school and not to provide professional development on each peice of hardware and software that will be mentioned on this website.

__//**Introduction **//__

It is the 21st Century! What does that indicate for the teachers of this modern day era? Many people may propose that question and ponder the results. This website is intended to educate teachers and administrators about modern day technology. However, with that being directly stated, it is my intention to show teachers and administrators who have experience with technology already but need to learn about the most modern day technology, and see if these new forms of technology would be suitable for their students. This website will help inform teachers and administrators who are established and motivated to learn new technology and help them choose what is the best option for their classroom. However, they are leery to learn new technology for many reasons. The hardware and software available to help the teacher will be shown to you briefly on this website and it is up to you to utilize the links and videos provided on my website if further interest is exhibited.

If you are a teacher please refer to the following two questions:

1. Do you feel too comfortable with your teaching styles and/or technology? 2. Are you nervous about integrating NEW and/or modern day technology in the classroom despite knowing yesterday’s modern day technology?

If you are an administrator please refer to the following two questions:

1. Do you feel that your teachers are too comfortable with their teaching styles and/or technology? 2. Are you nervous about your teachers integrating NEW and/or modern day technology in their classroom despite knowing yesterday’s modern day technology?

If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," then this is a website you should consider reading.

To start the website off in the right direction and to exemplify the excitement, please refer to the following video clip:

media type="youtube" key="WslqI5UYeq0?version=3" height="315" width="560" align="center"

As we all may know, technology has transcended time from one generation to the next. For example, teachers originally utilized the chalk board in their classroom, then the classroom made the "big leap" to the marker board. Thereafter, any student could observe the overhead projector in the classroom. Currently students are the beneficiary of more enhanced technology. Part of the reason teachers are overwhelmed is the ambiguity or being leery with the hardware and software of the technology. Hardware and software we will consider on this website are as follows:

1. Mac and PC Hardware and Software 2. Tablet devices 3. Smart Pens

Also, please refer to this link for more information on hardware and software in the schools: []


 * __Mac vs. PC__**

First things first! A major topic that is not important but imperative is whether to use mac or PC. However, as you may already know the conversation should never be limited to Mac vs. PC.

The first thing that we need to cover is who the computers are being imported for and for what purpose. This answer is very simple quite surprisingly. Computers, in general, are being imported for the students’ needs first, followed by the teachers, second. Remember the primary goal of using technology in education is to enhance or improve the teaching and learning process that takes place between the teacher and the student. In the diverse student body, every student has their own specific individual needs and should always take precedence before IT itself; this also applies to teachers. Both, students and teachers, need hardware and software that will better enable them to explore, create, research, think critically, imagine, and enhance learning. When it comes to our students, they all need hardware and software that will engage them more and allow them to learn and grow intellectually, eventually reaching their highest potential.

__Mac computers__
When it comes to using a Mac in education, there is an iLife suite as well as the availability of multimedia project based learning, that no one can dispute the fact that it is unmatched on any other computer platform. Photos are imported into a program called iPhoto, video is imported into a program called iMovie, music is imported into a program called iTunes, soundtracks as well as audio/podcasts are created or recorded in a program called GarageBand. If this is all done successfully, all the multimedia is easily accessible within each application of iLife. GarageBand has integrated access to movies, music clips, and photos which are all managed by iMovie, iTunes, and iPhoto. iMovie has integrated access to music and photos that are stored in iTunes and iPhoto. All Apple products have built-in apps that are considered great for education. According to the Apple Website, "OS X Lion, It’s what makes a Mac a Mac." Every Mac comes with OS X Lion operating system.The OS X Lion operating system includes a wide array of features in which all of them make teaching and learning more engaging and dynamic.

Overall, Apple has: 1. Released Mac OS X (Some would say it is the ultimate desktop operating system). 2. Released the ultimate music download store (iTunes). 3. Released the ultimate music and video player (iPod). 4. Released laptops that are now the most popular in colleges and universities.

The mac computers will enable students to use an enhanced operating system. Therefore, if students in your class have difficulties with visuals or even concentration, mac can help. Every Mac comes with iLife, a powerful collection of digital authoring tools. Teachers and students can easily produce movies, photo books and slideshows, web pages, music, podcasts, and more with the presence of iLife. Also included is various other useful software tools, such as a calendar, a web browser, an email program, a calculator, a word processor, a dictionary, a translator, and much more. Also, with built-in accessibility features, students of all diverse abilities can be productive right away. Therefore, if any student is having difficulties learning with one style of teaching, the teacher can utlize other options to meet the needs of this particular student and have many more options to entertain. Mac has these options, whereas, other computers do not.

Please refer to this link for information: []

A video on the hardware and software behind the Mac is as follows:

media type="youtube" key="-7rot3GOjDc?version=3" height="315" width="420" align="center"


 * __Software and Hardware behind PC__**

While PC does not have Apple Suite and all of the applications, it offers a lot on the table for education as well. PC generally runs on the windows operating system where there are always numerous choices to choose from. There are many programs that are compatible with both Mac and PC; however, some programs are compatible with PC exclusively (unless Mac has a windows operating system and not OS X Lion). For example, Auto Cad is compatible with the windows operating system and even if Mac has a windows operating system, programs such as Auto Cad will still have a difficult time running on the Mac.

How can PC computers help the students in your school? PC does not have nearly as much as Mac computers; however, it is compatible with much more than the Mac. Therefore, what if a student needs a program that is only compatible with PC, such as Auto Cad? This is where PC helps students; the students that require the programs which are only compatible with PC.

Now that Mac vs. PC has been settled we can move onto tablet devices in education.

__Tablet Devices__
Tablet devices are made from both Mac and PC. A Tablet is a cross between a notebook and a personal digital assistant (PDA). It's a flat-panel portable computer in the form of a slate. Some examples of a tablet are the iPod touch, and the iPad.

__Software and Hardware behind the iPod touch __
Here is information on the iPod Touch:


 * One forward-facing and one rear-facing camera
 *  [|Flash memory] (16 or 32 GB for the iPhone, 8, 32 or 64 GB for the iPod touch)
 *  [|WiFi] capabilities (802.11b/g/n)
 * Safari Web browser
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Audio, video and photo storage and playback
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">YouTube video player
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Calendar and contacts that synchronize with your computer
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Clock and calculator applications
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Access to the [|iTunes Music Store] via WiFi
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">More than 250,000 apps you can install from the App Store via WiFi or a wired computer connection
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Dock and headphone connections
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Earphones with remote controls and a microphone

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">This can help students with the use of the interactive apps across the content area.

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;">For more information please consider this link: [] and []

Please check out this video excerpt of the hardware and software behind the the iPod Touch:

media type="youtube" key="IBTIeU32zUY?version=3" height="315" width="560" align="center"


 * __Software and Hardware behind the iPad 3__**

The new iPad provides a clear image. You’re actually touching your photos, reading a book and even playing the piano. Nothing comes between you and what you love to teach. The iPad makes learning a hands-on experience. It offers a great display, camera, and wireless connection.

Here is what we know about the next iPad:
 * Retina display, with a resolution of 2048×1536, 3.1 million pixels at 264ppi
 * A5X Processor, quad-core graphics
 * 1GB of RAM
 * 5 megapixel iSight camera
 * 1080p video recording
 * Voice dictation, similar to Siri without the questions
 * 3G & 4G LTE connectivity
 * 10 hour battery life, 9 hour battery on 4G
 * 9.4mm thick, weighs 1.4lbs
 * iOS 5.1

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;">For more information please consider this link: [] and []

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;">Please see the video on the hardware and software behind the iPad:

media type="youtube" key="RQieoqCLWDo?version=3" height="315" width="560" align="center"


 * __How can both the iPod touch and iPad 3 help students in your school__**

How can both the iPod touch and iPad 3 help the students in your school? Do your students become bored or easily distracted? Both of these tablet devices are interactive and very engaging. Students can play games and the tablet devices are very accessible and portable.

Example: A student with ADD, ADHD, any other disability or just simply doesn't want to concentrate. These tablet devices can keep any student engaged in interactive learning due to all the features such as games and applications for all the content the student will learn in their school.

__Software and Hardware behind the Livescribe Smartpen__
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;">Another piece of hardware that can be used in the classroom is the livescribe smartpen. However, first I advise you to e nvision these two scenarios:

1. Someone who cannot type has to type twenty pages of notes. 2. A student cannot write the notes down quick enough as the teacher talks.

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;">If so, this device helps the students and the teachers write down important material you are hearing during any lecture or conference. However, the unique feature of the livescribe smartpen will automatically record audio and link it to your notes for the sole purpose of writing. If you have ever thought one of your students or even yourself may forget what was just said, then this device would help.

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,clean,sans-serif;">For more information please see the following link: []

Also, please see the video for more information:

media type="youtube" key="USynasrR0uo?version=3" height="315" width="560" align="center"

__**Software and hardware behind the Smart Notebook 11**__
Smart Notebook 11 is an excellent collaborative learning software for the classroom. In its most general terms, the Smart Notebook 11 is a notebook that can be utilized on the Smartboard and is considered to be a visual 3-Dimensional notebook. There are numerous ways in which Smart Notebook 11 can help the students in your class or school. First, are your students becoming bored with the obsolete teaching methods in the classroom? If so Smart Notebook 11 creates high impact lessons that can ignite fire and interest to the classroom almost instanteously. With a vast set of design and delivery features and various digital resources, Smart Notebook 11 software connects you to a full ecosystem of content, tools and support. If the students in your classroom or school are seemingly having difficulties in math class, Smart Notebook can help with math tools which enable students to create, explore, evaluate and solve math concepts using the Smart Notebook 11. This add-on to Smart Notebook 11 software combines all the tools any clasrrom teacher needs to teach math in a single application.

If the students in your classroom are visual learners and/or need to be more involved in the learning process, allow room for Smart Notebook 11 to make the learning more interactive and engaging. This can be accomplished because Smart Notebook 11 allows for students to be immersed in a 3-Dimensional world, visualization can have an immediate impact on learning. 3-Dimensional Tools, can import and manipulate 3-Dimensional content seemlessly from the collaborative learning software that Smart Notebook 11 features. And because you can label images and write over them in digital ink, the 3-Dimensioanl content is a versatile vehicle for hands-on interactive learning.

Pleas consider the following link for more information on the hardware and software behind the Smart Notebook 11: []

Please consider the following video for more information on the hardware and software behind the Smart Notebook 11:

media type="youtube" key="FQygH2iyerA?version=3" height="315" width="560" align="center"

__**Concluding Remarks**__
Now this concludes my website. I hope the introduction to the most modern day forms of technology will help your students in your school(s). Remember there are many more options for technology in this modern day era outside of what was presented on this website! Therefore, I urge you to to do more research if anything on this webpage strikes your interest.

In conclusion, I would like to leave you with educational quotes to consider when it comes to technology:

1. "Any growth requires temporary loss of security" (American Public Society) 2. "The principle goal of education is to create men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done" (Jean Piaget)