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Dakota State University associate professor Dr. Mark Hawkes has co-authored a book that examines the role technology has in the lives of children, schools, and educators. Hawkes is the Coordinator of the Graduate Studies in Educational Technology at Dakota State. His co-author, Dr. Marge Cambre is retired from The Ohio State University and works as a consultant evaluating educational technology projects.

Hawkes and Cambre have collaborated in the research of educational technology endeavors previously having written several pieces appearing journals such as the Learning and Leading with Technology, Technology Horizons in Education, Principal Leadership, and Educational Technology Magazine.

The book, Toys, Tools and Teachers: The Challenges of Technology, offers a framework for thinking about technology as it impacts teaching and learning. The 184 pages of the book are divided into 11 chapters. It begins by taking a broad look at technology and its eventual entry into schools. The authors liken technology to other educational innovations and examine the role it plays in day to day activities of learning.

The second section of the book is targeted toward the four major concerns of educators: accountability, equity, teacher education, and assessment. The final section deals with ways technology might impact education, to the extent of challenging the basic notion of schooling. Hawkes and Cambre examine distance education, networking and wireless technologies and explore the approaches to learning these invite.

“We’ve tried to look at the trade-offs and benefits of a technology saturated education. That makes up the ‘Toys and Tools’ part of the book,” Hawkes says. The “Teachers” part speaks to what we believe is the most important part of technology in education because technology has to serve and be valued by teachers.”

Tom Hawley, Dean of the College of Education says that research work of the type Hawkes and a few others at DSU carry out is vital for the continuous professional development of all faculty members and their students. Hawley observes that Hawkes is a teacher- scholar who significantly contributes to the knowledge base in the field of technology. Hawkes’ work shows that there is a strong link between sound teaching practices and high-quality scholarship. According to Hawley, “Developing lifelong learners is a major goal of Dakota State University. Through works such as his most recent book, Mark truly models the importance of lifelong learning for his students and colleagues.”

Hawkes received his Ph.D from Syracuse University and his M.S. and B.S. from Brigham Young University. He has been at Dakota State University since 1999.

The book is available though any retailer (Amazon, Borders, etc.). Discounts off the $27.95 price are given for orders going directly to the publisher’s web site: Scarecroweducation.com. Mark’s share of the proceeds of the book will be donated to the Madison School District and the DSU College of Education Scholarship fund.