Problem Solving in Educational Technology

Using computer technology in order to solve problems is an essential tool in today’s technology driven world. The need for our teachers and students to have the knowledge and skills in this area is so vital; but, in order for students to gain the knowledge and skills, our teachers must gain them first. Understanding this importance in the 21st century, Texas’s curriculums have included the strand, solving problems, into their TEKS. The first TEKS under the strand says, the student must use appropriate computer-based productivity tools to create and modify solutions to problems. The second TEKS, states that students must use research skills and electronic communication, with appropriate supervision, to create new knowledge. Last, but not least, the third TEKS expects students to use technology applications to facilitate evaluation of work, both process and product.
Once again, principals must find the resources available for both teachers and students. The site www.bcot1.com, is useful in assisting in acquiring the knowledge and skills expected from the problem solving strand. The site satisfies all three TEKS by explaining and giving directions on how to use Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel Basics, Microsoft Excel Graphing, the Graphic Viewer, Network File Sharing, Newsgroups, and downloading binaries from Newsgroups.
The authority of this site would be rated on level 2, no author but there is a link to contact him/her. The affiliation would be on a level 3, the site is supported by Google.com and is used in the instructions to use newsgroups. The purpose of the site is clear and meets the three TEKS for problem solving in educational technology. The objectivity of the site is level 3. As stated before, Google.com is used in the instructional application and as the server for the advertisement in the site. The content is level 4. The information given is user friendly with active links. The learning process is level 2. The information is not challenging but does give the information needed to learn the TEKS. The audience is level 4. The presentations are easy to comprehend and follow for either teachers or students. Currency is level 3. Though the time of update is unclear, the information supports current computer knowledge. The design is a level 4. The website loads well, is easy to navigate visually pleasing, and easy to read.The more exploration on resources for educational technology, the more useful and recommended this site becomes. It has shown to be helpful in more than one strand thus far, foundations in educational technology and problem solving in educational technology.