Listing three prominent people in the world of educational technology is easier said than done. There are many people who have had a direct or indirect influence on technology in education. If you asked three people to name the most prominent person in the field, you would probably get three different answers. So, after much thought and debate, here are three people who I feel have had a major impact in educational technology:
Alan November
- Wrote many useful publications for educators including Empowering Students With Technology and Web Literacy for Educators
- Created November Learning, which supplies educators with resources, conferences, professional development and more for using technology in learning
- November feels that it isn’t all about technology itself, but how it is used
David Martin
- Co-founder of SMART Technologies which invented SMART Boards and introduced them in 1991
- SMART Boards allow for interactive technology in the classroom by allowing the students and teacher to learn through a digital whiteboard
- More than 1.6 million SMART Boards are located in classroom, offices, and government buildings around the world promoting the use of technology in learning
Bill Gates
- Co-founder and CEO of Microsoft
- Helped develop programs used in the classroom everyday such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, and Powerpoint
- Continues to promote the use of technology in education and other areas throughout the world through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
(I can’t even imagine trying to function as a student in today’s world without the use of Microsoft Programs. The first retail version of Microsoft Windows was launched November 20, 1985…..10 days after I was born! No wonder I can’t imagine life without it! I would say that Bill Gates has had an indirect influence on educational technology, but a very important one at that!)
http://alvintrusty.wordpress.com/2010/08/19/who-is-important-here/
Allison Ritter 