Reflections on Chapter 11

There is an ever increasing use of technology in classrooms around the world. Countless corporations create hardware and produce software to enhance the education process for both teachers and students. With all of this technology on the market, consumers can often get confused or frustrated when trying to learn a new program. That is why many companies offer training to better incorporate the programs into everyday lessons.To help educators make their way through the maze of technology, companies offer resources that range from short pamphlets to week-long conferences. Any company looking to keep up with the technological advances and market demand will have to make sure buyers know how to use the software.Most of the top software makers provide professional development resources. Microsoft, for example, provides tutorials, lesson plans for teachers, and articles that provide easy-to-follow instructions. Another example is WebCT. Their organization offers online training as well as on site workshops.Other companies that provide technological software and products for the classroom also offer training support. Some of these companies include Adobe, Apple, Inspiration, and Annenberg Media. Adobe offers a wide array of training to meet individual needs. Online resources combine with self-paced or instructor-led courses, certification programs, professional development workshops, and seminars to help teachers learn how to use the technology. Inspiration, on the other hand, offers quick tours of software products, quick start tutorials, training CDs, and classroom product tours. Both companies offer online support as well.Of all the top manufacturers, it is perhaps Apple that provides the greatest training opportunities. Apple's programming is user friendly and provides a wide variety of multimedia applications for use in the classroom. Apple also provides opportunities to learn not only how to use the programs, but also offer tools to help teachers integrate the technology into their lesson plans.Costs of the various training programs range depending on the type of program that is being conducted. Obviously on-site workshops are more expensive than training manuals. Some companies however, like Annenberg Media's Learning.org, provide professional development for teachers free of charge.Overall, it is in the corporation's best interests to make sure that users know how to operate the hardware and software to the fullest of its potential. After all, if a program is hard to use, then people are less likely to purchase the product.