BKTCHCRD.RVW 940822 "The Technology Coordinator", Moursund, 1992, 1-56484-015-8 %A David Moursund %C 1787 Agate Street, Eugene, OR 97403-1923 %D 1992 %G 1-56484-015-8 %I ISTE Publications %O 800-336-5191, 503-346-4414, Fax: 503-346-5890, iste@oregon.uoregon.edu %P 197 %T "The Technology Coordinator" 70014.2117@Compuserve.com (Statement of interest: I received my Masters degree as a result of David Moursund's Computer and Information Science Education program at the University of Oregon.) This book is likely of value to both school districts and to those few fortunate enough to have been designated as a computer, or technology, coordinator. Ultimately, though, it is more pep talk than "how to" reference. The book is divided roughly into thirds. The first part is the actual book. (Ironically, the formatting of the Table of Contents appears to label these ten chapters the Preface.) Half of the chapters are primarily general philosophical statements, while even those addressing areas such as job elements and technical qualifications are pretty open-ended. The second section contains seven interviews with technology coordinators. (The first edition of the book was done in 1985; the 1992 edition has additional "after" interviews. While the interviewees are very positive about improvements over the seven year period, a careful reading indicates that most of them cannot demonstrate significant improvement in the situation of computers in education.) The final third of the book reprints a number of Moursund's editorials from "The Computing Teacher". Overall, the book presents a balanced approach to computers and education. This is valuable in ensuring that the merger of technology and teaching does not become a single issue affair. At the same time, the overall tone is highly optimistic. There is a tendency to feel that the latest technology (hypermedia, in this case) is the answer. Technology Coordinators in the *real* world face an uphill battle. copyright Robert M. Slade, 1994 BKTCHCRD.RVW 940822 ====================== DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters Editor and/or reviewer ROBERTS@decus.ca, RSlade@sfu.ca, Rob Slade at 1:153/733 Author "Robert Slade's Guide to Computer Viruses" (contact 1-800-SPRINGER)