Integration of Technology in Education:

Author: Jinnie Dorvilus

Introduction

The integration of technology is a school community effort. All hands need to be on deck, both in the classroom and beyond the classroom. Yes, that’s right parents, we need your help too. I know you’re probably thinking, “Huh, how can I help with technology integration?” Well I’m happy you asked. We are living in the 21st century. Majority of students have access to technology and a technology device. Within our school, all students have access to their own Chromebooks, although parents are made aware of this, it is important for them to understand the role they can play in the integration part.

Advice to parents

            Administration in our school make a point to stress that teaching should begin the third week of school, with the first week be teaching routines, procedures and I took this advice and came up with a Chromebook contract. This contract states that parents are to work with the teacher in order to monitor students’ activities on the internet. The teacher will take responsibility of this during the school day and the parents will during the evenings and weekends. The parents and students will then sign the document and return it to the teacher. The contract is kept and referred to when needed. Parents, your role here is extremely important and calls for you to monitor your child’s activity whenever he/she is using technology.

Example

In reading a case study titled, New Bullying for the 21st Century: Cyber-Bullying in the Middle it is clear how technology plays a large role in our students’ lives currently. Social media is available to all and in many different forms, which makes it extremely difficult to protect our children/students from cyber-bullying. Now parents I know you are asking, “What exactly is cyber-bullying?” Here is the definition, “Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.” (Stopbullying.gov, 2012)

Parents, I chose to tell you of this case study because it is important to see how a cyber-bullying situation can negatively affect a students’ actions, grades and emotional state. In the case study, there was a student with the username Babe-ahlicious who targeted another student and began to share their conversations so other students could see. This student was mortified and had no idea hat to do as they were afraid to share any information on the matter with their parents. The student feared further humiliation.

Conclusion

The case study states the calling (on behalf of employees and parents) to research ways to help students dealing with cyber-bullying. This is a great first step. Another idea is to allow a presentation on the topic or allow faculty to integrate it somewhere in the curriculum. This option helps also when the identity of the offender cannot be ascertained. This way all students are hearing the message and the offender is one of them. A final idea is to provide staff development and parent workshops on the topic so the school community can be well versed in the subject. Therefore, if a cyber-bullying situation arises again, the teachers and parents can work together and take the lead on it rather than waiting on administration to step in. It is my opinion that the entire school community should work together to ensure the safety of our students utilizing technology.

References

Shapiro, J. P., & Stefkovich, J. A. (2016). Technology versus respect. In Ethical leadership and decision making in education: Applying theoretical perspectives to complex dilemmas(4th ed., pp. 196-213). London, England: Routledge.

Stopbullying.gov. (2012, March 7). What Is Cyberbullying. Retrieved from https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it/index.html

Stopbullying.gov. (2012, March 13). Florida Anti-Bullying Laws & Policies. Retrieved from https://www.stopbullying.gov/laws/florida/index.html

Integration​ of Technology in Education

BY: Donyae Arroyo

In an increasingly technological world, it is imperative that we give our students an upper hand by not only introducing them to technology but by integrating it within lesson plans/ curriculum. This, with the inclusion of empowering students to take ownership of all of their advances, and opportunities alike. Rather its through sparse, basic, comfortable, or seamless integration; studies have show that a little goes a long way.  

First things first, let’s address “what is integration of technology?”

Integration of technology in the educational world is using programs and various softwares, to allow students to capitalize on real-world applications. This manifest itself as students being able to flexibly, and interchangeably use technology. With the inclusion of being exposed to various content in ways that allow students to have a very hands-on, and engaged approaches towards content.

Next, the why and how of integration of technology.

The integration of technology done right will allow scholars to have an in-depth understanding of content. It will allow educators and administrators, alike the data results to confirm that knowledge gained. It engages scholars in less favorable subjects due to its ability to make relative connections and physical examples. Thus, allowing scholars developing in a tech-obsessed generation to take ownership of their education. Also, do to being able to go into depth, a student is able to transition from simply comprehension to application and critical analysis. While finally incorporating technology within classrooms empowers students to be aware of the educational benefits and applications that technological advances truly allow.

Now the how,

Administrators, you can work with your educators to identify which core areas your students could really use the boost of integrating technology. Proceeding this you can decipher which content should be delivered, identify the best software for your objective, video usage for mini lessons, adding multimedia elements to presentations ,visual Manipulatives, running learning stations, study reviews, online maps and collective class brainstorms.Allowing creative and hands on assignments like students creating products, designing bridges and the list goes on!

Maintaining a successful technological integration!

This means maintaining a program that is consistent, routine and transparent. Easily accessible and readily available for the objective at hand. Also accessing programs that are complete and of total support of the student’s educational goals. With the inclusion of data result reflecting students efficiently and effectively the culmination of success. Therefore, it’s an effective incorporation of technology that allows you to achieve students who are empowered enough to objectively select tools to aid them further obtain information in an appropriate and timely manner. This includes students having the ability to analyze and synthesize the information, and in turn, present this same information in a knowledgeable and articulate manner. This means that the technology should become an integral part of how the classroom functions.

NOW EXAMPLES

Some examples of great software/ programs to use within your classrooms are: Project-Based Activities, Game-based learning, and assessments, learning with mobile and handheld devices, interactive tools; like simulations or smartboards. Web-based projects and explorations and research. Or even empowering your students and giving them hands-on student-created media projects like Podcast. These can also be identified as redefinition, modification, augmentation, or substitution based learning assignments. Resulting in various ways to approach various learner styles and learning objectives alike.

In short the ultimate objective of integrating technological advancements within education is to allow our scholars to learn like never before. We have the ability to redefine how we learn and teach in the same breath. With the addition of being able to learn things more in-depth, and faster. With data results backing its success!

Work Cited: Guido, Marcus.

“25 Easy Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom.” Prodigy, 20 Feb. 2019, www.prodigygame.com/blog/ways-to-use-technology-in-the-classroom/. Person. “What Is Successful Technology Integration?” Edutopia, George Lucas Educational Foundation, 6 Nov. 2007, www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-guide-description.

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Importance of Technology Integration

By: Fritz Lauriston

With the integration of technology in the classroom allows teachers and students to be more efficient within their course of work. The passage states, “Classroom helps students and teachers organize assignments, boost collaboration, and foster better communication.” (“Classroom: manage teaching and learning | Google for Education”) The integration of technology is beneficial for everyone across the globe, it allows teachers to connect with students who want to learn English or specific genres. It is also very reliable and efficient which can allow both teacher and student to effectively manage their times according to their schedule. Reliable because both parties can sign in from anywhere and get the task at hand done. It allows teachers and student to work progressively together in their day-to-day lives. The article suggests, “With Classroom, teachers and students can sign in from any computer or mobile device to access class assignments, course materials, and feedback.” (“Classroom: manage teaching and learning | Google for Education”)

            From my point of view, this option of intergrading technology has great benefits for teachers and students, but we also must look at the bad in order to see the consequences we face as well. Certain cons we should be respectful of is, technology itself can be a distraction in the classroom. Some students might find it difficult to concentrate in class especially when they have an array of technological devices in front of them. In a sense it is like a kid in the candy store, they are so overwhelmed with excitement they do not know what is good or bad for them. Through experience, I know students who stray away from the teachers lectures and play on games while the teacher is teaching the lesson and sometimes strays other students away from their education. The article states, “Tech savvy students may find it hard to concentrate in class when a wide range of digital devices are around them.” (“Six Major Pros & Cons of Technology in the Classroom”, 2019)

Another con would be that with students using technology it is a higher risk of them cheating on assignments. Technology can be viewed as another means to cheat by copy and pasting as well as hiring a writer to do work, and in result the student is not learning anything but is receiving credit for work that is not produced by their own minds. The article states, “While students have always found ways to cheat, the digital age makes it even easier — from copying-and-pasting someone else’s work to hiring an essay-writer from an online essay mill.” (Six Major Pros & Cons of Technology in the Classroom”, 2019) In conclusion, this is my advice to administrators, teachers, and parent on the importance of this technology issue-involving student learning.