Our challenge is to help them help themselves develop a vision by giving them opportunities to see and experience technologies via RCET-SW inservice offerings. Another activity of RCET-SW is to expand awareness levels by hosting an annual conference. Plans are now underway for the 9th Southwest Education and Technology Conference to take place in Springfield, MO in March, 1998. A preconference, breakout sessions and vendor exhibit area detail educational applications. RCET-SW has expanded its focus to include research and the dissemination of information relative to educational technology.
Technology can make it easier for children to learn about innumerable topics.
Another advantage of technology in the classroom is the ability it brings to facilitate the teachable moment. Access to current topics of interest to students is immediate and up to date, making classroom research a fun, interactive experience that expands horizons and minds and teaches learners to solve problems, not just memorize facts. According to futurist Margaret Gayle, there is more technology in the poorest homes than in many schools, and this situation has to change. We must be prepared to reach students who are accustomed to high levels of electronic stimuli in the home and instruct them through the same mediums at school. The need for technology in classrooms is critical and those in education must unite to help fulfill this need.