Main Assignments:

1. Title Page

2. Introduction

3. Computers in Instruction

4. Reflections

5. Professional Development

6. Sommary

7. References

Introduction

Background
The emergence of technology in society has resulted with advances in information and telecommunications. The tools of technology being used by the business community are far more advanced than they were 50 years ago. While businesses have kept up with the latest technology between then and now, education has also attempted to stay current. (Johnson, 2000) The US Census Bureau states that since 1984, we have added over 8 million units to our classrooms. (US Census 2000) Educators have been trying to catch up with computer skills while trying to teach in their subject field.
In 1997, President Clinton recommended that 5% of the education budget (13 billion dollars) be spent on technology related expenses and large-scale experimental research to determine the most effective uses of computers in the classroom
In 2001, President Bush proposed No Child Left Behind, to add another 2 billion dollars initially to the table to provide research, train quality teachers, and establish partnerships with local schools and universities and businesses.
Currently, with funding from federal, state and private sources, many schools have purchased computers for their classrooms, computer labs, and libraries. It is critical to examine, however, where and how technology will be likely to be effective in teaching the content areas. There is an assumption that computers will be useful in schools because they are powerful and cutting edge, similar to the business world, but a question remains of how effective will using a computer be in helping kids understand concepts in science, social studies, or math.

Focus
In this paper, I will report on two main issues: Using technology in science instruction and the professional development needed to train teachers in technology. Along with the rapid acceleration of technology of society, there is a need for students to learn skills, such as problem solving, communication and problem solving using technology. (CEO Forum, 2001) Thus, to inspire this change within our country’s classrooms regarding said technology, extensive teacher learning is required. (Maor, 1999) Professional development in technology will be a leading factor in bringing higher quality teachers into science classrooms.
As the US Commission on National Security reports, (Rudman, 1999) “More Americans will have to understand and work competently with science and math on a daily basis.” As a school teacher, I want to find out how computers and the internet can assist me in teaching. Students can collect, record, synthesize and evaluate data more effectively than before, thus allowing the potential for student motivation and achievement to rise. But how can those elements become incorporated into our science curriculum?

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