As technology advances in society, schools are adapting to the technology wave. Schools are starting to add computers, smartboards, and other resources to improve education. Students are so wrapped up in their phone, computers, iPad, video games and any other type of technology that it benefits them to have advanced technology in the classroom. It gives them tools that they are familiar with and can help them be more engaged in learning.
Effective technology integration is about how you use the technology. That can depend on the curriculum. A good way to integrate technology would be a purposed based or student-centered approach. Making it effective can be having the students use it as a tool to problem solve. It can also be used for the student to learn a deeper understanding of the curriculum.
Technology creates an interactive learning environment for the students to learn. “Student engagement has increased 55% after the introduction of smart technology into classrooms” (March,25,2022. Par.10). Students can collaborate with each other using the technology by using different media outlets. Students enjoy using it and making presentations, Canva flyers, videos, graphs, and more that will gain the attention of students. These resources help students learn and create their path from learning.
In one class at my school a teacher does virtual reality for the class. The students love it and are constantly engaged. When they put on that headset they are engaged and focused on what they are seeing. When the class ends the students ask for more time and want to see more. They get to go on virtual fieldtrips and see different parts of the world. You can make these interactions cross curricular for the students. The teacher can connect with the core subject teachers to align a curriculum, so students are visually seeing it as well as learning it in the other class.
Using technology in the classroom not only benefits the students but can also benefit the teachers. This gives the teacher more support to give the students the tools they need to succeed. It is a way for the teacher to meet all students’ unique needs in the classroom. The teacher can use smartboards, give interactive examples, PowerPoints, audio books, and videos to give the students different ways to grasp the material. Technology helps the teacher by moving away from traditional teaching methods that the students see every day and give them something engaging. Tech gives the teacher a chance to have the students become active participants in the learning process.
As technology changes, administrators must also be able to adapt with technology so they know what students and teachers can do. Administrators need technology for accessing data on state testing. Knowing what students are getting on these tests can help administrators plan. Same goes for teachers as administrates can see what teachers’ classes are scoring on these tests. It can help administrators give the teacher options or help in their instruction. It can help students’ well-being by improving students well being and education at the school. Having technology also helps the administrators build better relations with the parents. Administrators can really headline the push for technology in schools as they have a lot of say to benefit the students.
Technology has many positives to it, but it isn’t something we can put all of our eggs in. As for how many positives it has it also has its negatives such as it can be distracting, less work on spelling and grammar as it can be corrected for you. Some students will also have an easier time with presentations because they will just copy and paste information instead of finding it and putting it into their own words.
Technology has positives and negatives in education. From a learning standpoint there are a lot of positives if you use it the right way. Technology will only continue to increase, and it will benefit the students the more schools adapt. It gives the students a chance to drive their own learning and can benefit teachers at the same time. Technology will be a big part in making sure the future is moving in the right direction.
The Future of Education: Integrating Technology in the classroom. The Future of Education: Integrating Tech into Class | LSU Online. (n.d.). https://online.lsu.edu/newsroom/articles/future-education-integrating-technology-classroom/
Niall McNulty. (2022, November 24). 5 ways technology is helping teachers do their jobs better. Niall McNulty. https://www.niallmcnulty.com/2021/06/5-ways-technology-is-helping-teachers-do-their-jobs-better/
Advantages and disadvantages of technology in education. Allison Academy. (2023, July 4). https://www.allisonacademy.com/students/education/technology-in-education/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-technology-in-education/
3 reasons why teachers need to use technology in the classroom. Concordia University Texas. (n.d.). https://www.concordia.edu/blog/3-reasons-why-teachers-need-technology-in-the-classroom.html