Glen Bull

The Electronic Academical Village.

A network of connected electronic mail (e-mail) systems now links most univer sities in the United States. These sys tems can be used to support the student teaching process by linking university faculty, student teachers, and supervis ing teachers in the schools. They can also be used as a tool for school-univer sity collaborations that benefit the schools as well. Bull and his colleagues explain how e-mail is a part of the edu cational culture of the Curry School at the University of Virginia.

Evaluation of vocal pitch in male transsexuals.

A 49-year-old male-to-female transsexual was administered voice therapy following surgery. Tape recordings were made of her speech prior to and each week during therapy. Selected sentences from these reocrdings were analyzed. Results indicate that changes in both fundamental frequency and perceptual judgments of femininity were statistically significant and supportive to the client. The voice of the client was still discernible from that of a female speaker, although less so than before therapy. It is suggested that a composite treatment program combined with laryngeal modification through surgical intervention may be necessary.

Apparatus for non-invasive measurement and display nasalization in human speech

An apparatus for the acquisiton of a raw speech signal and the essentially simultaneous acquisition of a transform of the speech signal, wherein said transform covaries as a function of changes in one or more parameters in the speech signal and is indicative of a predetermined selected speech characteristic, such as nasalization, pitch or intensity. The apparatus includes a microphone for producing first signals representative of raw speech, and a second transducer, such as, for example, an accelerometer for generating second signals essentially simultaneous to the production of the first signals, with the second signals being indicative of a selected parameteric characteristic of the human speech, such as, for example, nasalization. The first and second signals are applied to data processing circuits which analyzes the first and second signals to produce transform signals based on arithmetic combinations thereof. The apparatus further includes display means for providing videographic and alphanumeric display of the transform signals accompanied by synchronous audio display of the raw speech.

Developing Web 2.0 Tools for Support of Historical Inquiry in Social Studies

ABSTRACT Web 2.0 tools offer new possibilities for teaching and learning. PrimaryAccess is a Web 2.0 tool designed for K-12 history education. PrimaryAccess shares many of the characteristics of other Web 2.0 applications, but its educational focus makes it different from generic Web applications. Our work developing and researching PrimaryAccess has helped identify the tensions and opportunities for integrating Web 2.0 tools into K–12 instruction. Web 2.0 tool development and use are best explored in a disciplinary context. Mishra and Koehlers construct of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) provides a useful framework for this research and development process.

Educational Implications of the Digital Fabrication Revolution

At the 2010 National Technology Leadership Summit (NTLS), participants were introduced to and explored the educational opportunities that digital fabrication offers. Efforts to infuse engineering principles into the K–12 curriculum make this topic particularly timely, and it is likely to become increasingly important and relevant to all our personal and professional lives. In light of the excitement about the potential of this emergent technology, the National Technology Leadership Coalition (NTLC) journal editors have agreed to share an editorial we have collaboratively created (a complete list of NTLC journal editors is included at the end of the editorial).

Advancing Children’s Engineering Through Desktop Manufacturing

Children’s engineering involves design of a solution under specified constraints in response to a particular need or goal. Desktop manufacturing systems enable students to engineer complex solutions with tangible products, expanding the range of possible approaches to engineering education. Desktop manufacturing technologies encompass digital fabrication systems such as 3D printers and computer-controlled die cutting systems and related technologies such as 3D scanners. These systems offer an entry point for advancing children’s engineering as well as connecting to other STEM subjects.

Teaching Engineering Design with Digital Fabrication: Imagining, Creating, and Refining Ideas

Digital fabrication uses next-generation computer-controlled manufacturing systems to translate electronic designs into 2D and 3D physical objects. Advances in technology are making educational applications and classroom use of digital fabrication increasingly feasible. The combination of digital fabrication with engineering design integrates mathematics, science, and engineering concepts into a highly motivating context. Students can use digital fabricators to quickly prototype ideas and create sophisticated designs that satisfy mathematics- and science-based criteria and constraints, encouraging students to imagine, invent, collaborate, and construct solutions to complex and authentic problems.

The Role of “Computers in the Schools” Revisited

Abstract The 20th anniversary of Computers in the Schools seems an appropriate time to take stock of the effects of computers in the schools. The past, present, and potential future effects on K-12 education are reviewed in this article. Three eras are considered-characterized by initial theoretical foundations, current practice, and future transformations-with an emphasis on the coming transformational era, in which the authors believe multisubject, personal portable computers will become nearly universally available. Educators need to begin planning now for the effects of ubiquitous computing and consider ways in which universal access to computing might permit reconceptualization of the school curriculum. The kinds of educational software available to schools will substantially affect how computers are used. An open source software development model is described that can potentially empower teachers with the capability to adapt and modify programs according to local needs. A call for an international dialog on the intersecting trends of ubiquitous computing and the open source educational model is issued.

Technology and Schools

Abstract Efforts to integrate technologies into schools have been more effective when they have placed the locus of control with teachers rather than requiring teachers to adapt their teaching style to the technology. Some educational technologies that are changing schools include graphing calculators, electronic library resources, integration of text and graphics in instructional materials developed by teachers, and use of the Internet for dissemination of student work. In the long term educational computing is likely to have profound if somewhat unpredictable effects on K-12 education. In the short term limited access to technology in K-12 schools will constrain the overall impact. However, constraints on the speed with which teachers can be educated to use new technologies will be the primary factor that will limit the extent of use in schools.

Evaluating the Impact of Educational Technology

There are a number of concurrent initiatives related to effective use of technology in teaching and learning. For instance: • The Office of Educational Technology at the U.S. Department of Educatio...