Bill Gates stated, “We are changing the world with technology.” If anyone looks back over their lives to compare technology then to now, they’d conclude that there is quite a gap between the tablets we use today and the tablets they used then. I must admit that was corny however, I could not resist. As an educator, I am amazed and maybe even jealous at the wealth and access of technology our students have at the tip of their fingers. In schools, we love to say we are raising world changers. What a powerful mission to see fulfilled. For us to raise world changers we need several things. We need dedicated teachers, committed parents, and an environment suited for their development. Even more so why not equip these world changers with a tool that is going to help them change the world! This is what makes the integration of technology so crucial in schools. The integration of technology as it pertains to education refers to the use of technology to enhance the student learning experience. According to a study conducted by Digital Education, nearly ninety-five percent of schools nationwide reported that digital learning is taking place in at least half their classrooms. Technology in classrooms has allowed students not only to learn in a relatable manner but also in a way whereby it is personalized.
Why is technology integration important in schools? We can answer this question by starting with the ever-changing world that we live in is being influenced entirely by technology. If our schools are to prepare our students to excel in this new technologically advanced society, it is pivotal they are exposed to it in school. Many children today cannot picture life without cell phones and computers. To take it a step further many of them can’t remember the days before Google, wifi, or TikTok! Yes, children, there was a time we had to go to the library to look up information and couldn’t post about it. Since many of these students have been raised in a digital world, it is imperative technology becomes a part of their curriculum. According to TechnoKids, students need to be educated on how to use “technology to acquire, demonstrate, apply and communicate information.”
Teachers are tasked with the responsibilities of preparing our world changers for society with the adequate skills required to be successful. The corporate world is being dramatically transformed with the invention of computers, the internet, and other technological advances. Today, many of us as teachers and administrators can attest, a significant portion of our work and workday is heavily reliant on our laptops! Workplaces all over the world are relying on computers to be able to complete tasks and duties at work. Many use computers to communicate with clients, coworkers, and other companies. They use them to calculate, analyze, and generate data. We were able to see how powerful the role of technology had in our lives during the pandemic as our entire world seemed to shut down. With the integration of the internet in our society, people and students were no longer bound to a physical environment. Parents, employees, and employers could work from home. The world was introduced to zoom! People were able to do various job activities such as email, research, communication, meetings, and access files and data from their bedside. Students were able to have class, see friends, and continue their classrooms activities and daily school work through the power of technology.
Drexel university school of education presented research on the benefits of technology in schools. One benefit of technology is that it keeps students engaged. Active engagement is crucial to students learning process. Technology allows there to be a high level of engagement because it is interactive. Another factor is that it helps students with different learning styles. We all are wired differently therefore different modes of learning varies from student to student as it pertains to its effectiveness. The use of technology can afford students the opportunity to learn at their own pace and style. And lastly, technology prepares students with crucial life skills. Technology as part of the school curriculum enables students to harness and refine their skills for life after school in a digital world. It’ll be remiss to say that technology doesn’t have its downfall. It is essential that teachers educate students regarding the ethics and safety of responsible use of technology.
References
Drexel University School of Education. (n.d.). How to Integrate Technology in the Classroom. School of Education. https://drexel.edu/soe/resources/student-teaching/advice/how-to-use-technology-in-the-classroom/.
TechnoKids Inc. (n.d.). Integrating Technology In The Curriculum – TechnoKids. TechnoKids Inc. https://www.technokids.com/store/computer-curriculum/technology-integration.aspx.