Preparing to Use Technology is a concise and comprehensive guide to the technology applications that are essential skills in the classrooms of today. This text features a basic understanding of current software applications, adaptations for special learners, and ideas for curriculum integration. Instructors will find a user-friendly format with an appropriate balance of directive skill building activities and exploration. Each chapter focuses on a technology concept and includes 1) research frameworks 2) basics which includes how teachers as well as students can use the technology in teaching and learning 3) provides a testimonial from a technology using teacher that has implemented lessons successfully, 4) offers example “curriculum connections” and shares ways to adapt for special learners with each. The entire text is aligned with the revised NETS *S and NETS*T standards. Prospective teachers, as well as teachers who want to use technology, will find the style is direct and easy to follow.
Blanche O'Bannon, Ed.D. (University of Memphis, Memphis, TN.) teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Educational Technology in the department of Theory and Practice in Teacher Education at The University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee. Her primary research areas include the development of K-12 teachers for the integration of technology into curriculum topics to enhance learning as well as the design and development of multimedia/hypermedia learning environments and course development focusing in these areas.
Dr. O’Bannon is a member in numerous professional organizations including the Association of the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) and the International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE), and presents papers regularly at their annual conferences. She serves on the Board of Associate Editors for the Journal of Research on Technology in Education.
She has a successful record in securing external and other funding with the most recent large award being received from the Department of Education Preparing Tomorrow’s Teachers to Use Technology (PT3) initiative.
Dr. O’Bannon serves as the Coordinator the core technology course for teachers receiving licensure from The University of Tennessee. Her focus, since coming to UT in 2000, has been to align the core technology course with national technology standards to facilitate the development of teachers who are capable of integrating technology into 21st century classrooms. In addition, she has insured that this course focuses on integration versus simply skills.
You can review her courses and other resources her website at http://web.utk.edu/~bobannon
