Month: July 2020

The Integration of Technology

The integration of technology in schools is vital in today’s day and age.  For students and teachers alike, cell phones, computers, and tablets are now a part of daily life. Therefore, it’s only reasonable for students of all ages to explore the use of technical tools in the classroom to construct meaningful learning experiences.  There are many ways in which technology can become an integral part of the learning process.  The use of different forms of technology in the classroom, including a virtual classroom, produces learners that are actively engaged in learning objectives. Technology also provides opportunities for differential learning within a wider classroom environment to address the specific needs of students as individual learners. Using technology during classroom instruction will promote student participation for both listening and visual learners. The integration of simple PowerPoints, games, internet homework assignments or online grading systems will make a difference in the growth of students in the classroom.  As a teacher, I integrate technology in so many different ways in school.  Technology is used every day in my class, so it has become a seamless transition from paper and pencil to working on the laptops.  I am lucky enough to have a laptop for every student in my class, and because of this, I can provide more instruction through the use of technology.  My students use their laptops to review and study for upcoming quizzes or tests.  I give the links study guides for my students to go on and practice the standards taught before an assessment. What’s also useful is that I can do spiral reviews for my students throughout the school year.  This will allow my students to continue to practice the standards that have already been taught earlier in the school year, so they don’t forget it!  Technology has become such a massive part of classrooms throughout the world, that it is so easy to find resources, links, assignments, quizzes, games, videos to supplement the content that is being taught by the teacher.

For example, I use Google Classroom with my students.  I have been using it for the past couple of years.  Honestly, I was reluctant to start using it in my class because it seemed a bit overwhelming at first.  However, I gave it a try and haven’t stopped using it since!

The amount of learning that goes on with the integration of this technology is mind-blowing. I get to set up assignments tailored to each student.  This is perfect for reading and math since the academic levels of my students range from one end to the other.  Another significant benefit is that students get immediate feedback.  Students get to see how they scored immediately and also what questions they got wrong so that they can see their mistakes.  Some programs even provide extra help with the items the student got wrong by providing similar questions for the student to answer.  Teachers can also communicate more effectively with parents when technology is integrated into the classroom because they are invited to become part of the school.  They receive updates and the most current grades weekly.  Google classroom is just one of many ways technology is integrated into the classrooms.  There is an abundance of other apps, videos, programs, and websites that provide parents, students, and teachers the ability to use technology.  I also find success when the ability to use technology in classrooms is available. As technology is used for educational instruction, there are many benefits to this because teachers can differentiate instruction to meet the needs of their students.  Not all kids learn the same way and at the same time; however, integrating technology into the classroom will provide the students the ability to learn at their pace and in different ways.  This will allow the virtual learner to learn more quickly because technology is full of animation and visuals.  It also provides opportunities for the auditory and kinesthetic learners to learn because it provides opportunities for students to listen and use their fingers to work out a problem.  Technology is used so much in our daily lives that it just wouldn’t make sense for it not to be integrated into all of our classrooms. It’s the way of the future, and it’s here to stay!

Citations

How to Integrate Technology in the Classroom. 2020, drexel.edu/soe/resources/student-teaching/student-teaching/how-to-use-technology-in-the-classroom/.

Christensen, Debi. “Why Do We Need Technology Integration in Education?” Classcraft Blog, Classcraft, 22 Aug. 2019, www.classcraft.com/blog/features/why-do-we-need-technology-integration-in-education/.

EDL 635 Technology and Student Learning

What is there to be afraid of? Why are people afraid of technology? Maybe people in general are not afraid of technology; maybe it’s just some educators that are afraid of something they don’t fully understand, technology. In today’s 21^st century classroom, the integration of technology is extremely important, because it brings relevance to the classroom, and it reflects the real world of the students.

COLLABORATIVE LEARNING

Technology in the classroom is important because it supports learning, by enabling students to collaborate, communicate, think critically, solve problems and create. These five activities are of paramount importance in enhancing student learning. When students work as a collaborative learning group, it is amazing to observe what they can produce. “The use of mobile learning devices is becoming more and more prominent in society as it also paves the way for learning at the school site level. …. Applications and software are being developed at a fast rate to accommodate the needs of both teachers and the general public. Participatory devices have also opened the way for collaborative learning, where students can engage with one another in a group investigation. This is important because many of the lifelong skills we learn and use in adulthood while working in teams, can be garnered from these types of collaborative activities”.

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(Roschelle, 2003)   Clearly, technology allow students to be more engaged, and to innovate and share ideas more readily, hence increasing their productivity.  

RESEARCH IN REAL TIME

Technology facilitates research in the classroom. Gone are the days when students had to go to a physical library to conduct research for assignments. Students can conduct research in real time, using information that is current, and readily accessible. They can easily share best practices and demonstrate their learning, which also serves as a means of exchanging information among themselves, locally, nationally or globally.

THE DIGITAL AGE

Modern kids are digital learners; they use technology in all aspects of their lives outside of school, at home, while travelling, to communicate, to socialize. Why should school be different? Should school be the only place they are prevented from doing what comes naturally? No. If school leaders wish to create schools that work for kids, technology should be incorporated in their curriculum, not just as a content area, but as the primary means of enabling kids to personalize their learning. Do we as educators want students to grow and improve? Do we want our students to keep pace with the rest of the world and break the cycle of ‘coming up short’? Then our answer should be a resounding yes ! Yes to new opportunities for students and teachers to embrace the change to a tech-rich learning environment. “ This revolutionary opportunity for change is driven by the continuing push of emerging technology, and the pull of the critical national need for new strategies to turn around a P-12 system, that is failing to adequately prepare young Americans for post-secondary education and the workforce.”  (US Department of Education, 2010)

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TECHNOLOGY FOR THE FUTURE

School is the place that prepares children to become productive adults that can contribute to society. When children are exposed to technology at a very early age, it helps to prepare them for the future, where using technology in all aspects of society will be the norm and not the exception. Teaching students how to navigate the commonly used software, should be a core subject for all students, and not just an elective or optional content area.  These skills are extremely necessary for entrance to the job market, and crucial to succeed in college. It is beneficial for students to acquire these skills very early, so they can utilize the benefits of technology during their K-12 years. When students apply trial and error while using technology, or are encouraged to play around with different options while solving problems, that process opens up the possibility for the creation of impressive artifacts and tremendous inventions.

Administrators, Teachers, Parents, let us listen to our kids. Let us provide them with the tools they need to succeed in the 21^st century. Let us promote digital learning, let us empower them to research for solutions to the problems they chose to solve. Let us allow them to collaborate, communicate, think critically, solve problems, create and innovate what is required to survive, and thrive, in the world they will be asked to navigate and occupy as adults.

                                                References

Casap, J., (2015) Saving the Silver Bullet. TEd Talks, Google Inc.

Garland, V.E. Tajeda, C. (2013) Education Leadership and Technology: Preparing School Administrators for a Digital Age.

Sheninger, E., Schools that Work for Kids. TEd Talks.

US Department of Education, The Condition of Education,  (2010) Page 52