“Technology is one of the most important components in the future of online learning. Various technologies can be incorporated into the online classroom to enhance the course and meet student needs by offering differentiated instruction and activating various learning styles.” (Dyer, Larson, Steele, Holbeck, 2015) Student engagement is often a major challenge for teachers, but in the age of digital technology, integrating technology into learning is one of the best ways to increase student engagement. To satisfy learning targets and instructional goals, it is essential for students to be engaged in their learning. “Gallup’s 2013 State of America’s Schools reported that 55% of US K-12 students are “engaged” in the learning process, while 28% are “not engaged,” and 17% are “actively disengaged.” (Wardlaw, 2016) Technology allows each student to interact with content in many different ways, catering to many multiple intelligences at once. Technology tools such as Kahoot, YouTube, and Padlet among many others allow teachers to present content in a way that is interesting and relevant to students. “Technology can convey the concepts of the lesson in an interesting format that appeals to the student while playing to the various learning styles. The intention is that technology will increase the course delivery options, which will lead to improved student outcomes, motivation, and engagement.” (Dyer, Larson, Steele, & Holbeck, 2015) Through technology students can create, which is the highest level of Bloom’s Taxonomy, resulting in a deeper understanding of the content. “Active learning is associated with improved student academic performance (Hake, 1998; Knight & Wood, 2005; Michael, 2006; Freeman, et al., 2007; Chaplin, 2009), and increased student engagement, critical thinking, and better attitudes toward learning (O’Dowd & Aguilar-Roca, 2009).” (Wardlaw, 2016) . E-learning has provided a perfect opportunity for teachers to use technology to engage students in learning and to deepen their understanding of concepts. Research, by Dyer, Larson, Steele, & Holbeck, suggests that when teachers targeted areas with the lowest achievement with the integration of technology, achievement improved substantially.
Many teachers struggle with the notion of integrating technology into their instruction and creating a culture of student-centeredness as oppose to it being teacher-centered because they have limited knowledge of technology and they don’t trust students to manage with their own learning. But, the fact is creating this culture of student-centered instruction with the use of technology has proven to work and increase academic success. Teachers have to evolve with the times and integrate technology into instruction in any way that they can. The purpose of professional development is to gain knowledge in the areas that professionals are weaker in, therefore it would be of great benefit for administrators and the district’s professional development department to offer technology integration trainings to foster the use of technology in every content area and on every academic level. Teachers have to be unafraid to try new technology and to have their students help them with the technology if they have issues. We have all been told that as professionals were are and should be the experts in our classrooms. However, showing your students that you have weaknesses and allowing them to help you navigate your way through not only humanizes you as a teacher, but it also helps build a more positive relationship with your students and it empowers them.
My recommendation would be to start with one new form of technology with the content from the students’ lowest achievement area and once you have found a way to successfully integrate that into your instruction, add another, and another. Most teachers will find that the integration of technology saves them time, making many aspects of the job easier, and forces students to do most of the work and they actually enjoy it. Technology allows teachers to fool their students into thinking they are just playing a game, while they earn virtual rewards and compete against their classmates or watching a video. But the entire time they are learning, providing data for teachers, and/or practicing and reviewing a concept that has been taught. Integrating technology into instruction changes the role of teachers, they become facilitators as instruction is more student-centered, and students are empowered.
References:
Bouslog, M. (2019, December 27). How Technology Can Increase Student Engagement. Retrieved July 05, 2020, from https://www.graduateprogram.org/2019/08/how-technology-can-increase-student-engagement/
Dyer, T., Larson, E., Steele, J., & Holbeck, R. (2015). Integrating Technology into the Online Classroom Through Collaboration to Increase Student Motivation. Journal of Instructional Research, 4(2015), 126-133. doi:10.9743/jir.2015.16
Schuler, J. (2020, March 06). How Powerful Use of Technology Can Increase Student Engagement. Retrieved July 05, 2020, from https://digitalpromise.org/2019/01/15/powerful-use-technology-can-increase-student-engagement/
Wardlow, L. (2017, June 22). How technology can boost student engagement. Retrieved July 05, 2020, from https://www.pearsoned.com/technology-can-boost-student-engagement/