technology with intention
But can this room make phone calls?
Jac is still out of town with the 7th grade, but the 6th grade continues to learn about computers by using another technology – books! 6th graders used encyclopedias and dictionaries from 1938 to 2006 to define “computer” and “internet.” They had to find copyright dates so that they could make accurate judgments as to the invention of modern definitions and use throughout time.
The discussion turned to ENIAC, the first general purpose super-computer developed at the University of Pennsylvania in 1943 with help from the U.S. Government. Students went down to Green Lake with a tape measure to plot out the size of this early monstrosity (40′ by 40′ packed up, 100′ by 50′ unwrapped). They talked about the power of this early computer as compared to common devices such as an iPod or cell phone.
I think this is a fabulous lesson!
Nice list. I will use it in future.
[...] reflecting about the changes that computers have undergone since ENIAC was introduced, 6th grade students spent a day looking at trends for the future. Devices seem to be getting [...]