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Platform and Operating System (Mac vs Windows)
Either platform will allow students to accomplish most tasks assigned in the college. Students should choose the platform/operating system that they are most comfortable with. That said, Illinois State University is a Microsoft Office 365 campus and Windows does provide a more seamless and feature-rich set of tools. Most faculty members use Windows computers, but there is a growing population of faculty members that use Apple computers.
It should be noted that it is not necessary to own the same type of computer used by College of Education faculty to succeed in COE classes.
Computer Specifications
The need for mobility is an increasingly important factor in the laptop vs. desktop decision process. Laptops are strongly recommended for College of Education students. Laptops with a built-in webcam and microphone should be a key consideration in your purchasing decision, although computers capable of supporting external webcams and microphones (purchased separately) are also acceptable. Video conferencing (via Zoom or other online meeting and collaboration tools) is increasingly utilized in COE coursework and has become an essential tool for success as an education professional. All College of Education learning spaces and common areas have wireless coverage.
An Education major will find that a computer that meets the following specs (regardless of platform) meets the needs of their major:
A selection of models sold at TechZone that meet these requirements are found at the end of this page. For a complete listing of models return to the home page by clicking the TechZone logo above and browsing by brand. This list is by no means exhaustive and provides only a small example of the models available.
TechZone and the College of Education do not recommend primary computing devices with the Android, Chrome OS, iOS, Windows RT, or Windows 10 S operating systems. These devices do not provide the full range of features of a standard laptop.
Software Recommendations
Office 365 is a service, available to all faculty, staff and students at Illinois State University. It allows you to:
Need assistance installing Microsoft Office? Visit TechZone Service Center in the Bone Student Center for in-person assistance or watch either of the following videos: Windows or MacOS.
Additional Information
Lab usage will vary from instructor to instructor. DeGarmo Hall has a [quiet] open computer lab, and houses the College of Education's Studio Teach, which is open to all teacher education majors.
Studio Teach is a one-of-a-kind environment where students can come together to collaborate, share, and get hands-on experience with the latest and greatest in educational technology. It also hosts various events and seminars throughout the year on a variety of topics related to technology in the classroom and using technology as a tool to aid learning. We encourage all teacher education students to visit Studio Teach on a regular basis to become comfortable with some of the newest educational technology available, including STEM technologies, desktop 3D printers, virtual reality technology, and interactive whiteboards. There is no charge to visit Studio Teach.
Other Recommendations
The College of Education recommends that all new teacher education students become as comfortable with technology as possible while at Illinois State as P-12 teachers are expected to include technology as part of their teaching. There is no better time to prepare for this than while you are a student at Illinois State University.
Stop by the College of Education Studio Teach in DeGarmo 308 to start learning about teaching effectively with technology!
