Microsoft Encarta: Innovating the concept of an Encyclopedia

Microsoft Encarta was a digital multimedia encyclopedia published byMicrosoft Corporation from 1993 to 2009. In 2008, the complete English version, Encarta Premium, consisted of more than 62,000 articles, numerous photos and illustrations, music clips, videos, interactive contents, timelines, maps & atlas and homework tools. It was available on the World Wide Web by annual subscription or by purchase on DVD or multiple CDs. Many articles could also be viewed free online with advertisements.

Why should we use ir? (ADVANTAGES)
Here are some links to different pages that have given a great review about this software

http://viking.coe.uh.edu/~ichen/ebook/et-it/ency.html
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_benefits_of_using_encarta_software_at_a_school?#slide=1


Whar are some problems with using encarta?
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_are_the_advantages_of_a_DVD_such_as_encarta

Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Technology in Education

Advantages

• reach a much larger audience from greater geographic locations
• help disabled and geographically isolated students
• help students with busy schedules, freedom to work at home on their own time
• decrease overcrowded classrooms
• offer more classes at peak demand times of day and week, increasing flexibility in class scheduling
• decrease paper and photocopying costs, promoting concept of "green revolution"
• access to students of everything instructors present in the classroom
• train students to learn new technology skills they can use later in the work place

Disadvantages

• selecting appropriate hardware and software programs
• incompatible technology issues
• challenges when submitting assignments
• some students can't afford modern computer technologies
• students usually pan an online technology fee
• instructors and students need training to learn how to use online technology
• possibility of cheating on tests and quizzes 
• difficult to motivate students, requires self-discipline and self-motivation

What is Educational Technology?

Concept: Educational technology is the study and ethical practice of facilitating learning and improving performance by creating, using, and managing appropriate technological processes and resources.

As an academic discipline, the study of educational technology prepares individuals by helping them acquire a deeper understanding and mastery of:

• learning resources: messages, people, materials, devices, techniques and settings;
• processes for analyzing and devising solutions to those problems through research, theory, design, production, evaluation, utilization;
• the processes involved in organization and personnel management.

http://etec.hawaii.edu/aboutbackground.html