One of the questions that I come across as an educator is what is integration of technology? Integration of technology is the using of computers effectively and efficiently in the general content areas to allow students to learn how to apply computer skills in meaningful ways. Integration of technology in education simply refers to the use of technology to enhance the student learning experience (How to Integrate Technology in the Classroom, n.d.). In most recent events, technology has become a necessity in moving forward with everyday teaching. In fact, teachers who normally feared the use of technology were force to use it and had to learn rather quickly in order to get their jobs done. Although technology is not new, for some (teachers and students) took it rather well, others were indifferent, and some didn’t adjust well. It could have been due to the change of their everyday routine and missing out on some kind of normal routine. I personally have to say that the transition from a traditional learning environment to a virtual learning environment was fairly smooth for myself. I can say that I truly appreciated all the trainings and practices that I had with my students before the transition as it took away some of the stress of creating new lessons with the use of technology that for some was new to but not for myself.
The next question is why the integration of technology at all? This is a question that current educators in our nation should answer, especially now as we are set to begin a new school year. Teachers often find success when they present the opportunity to use technology in the classroom. There are various benefits and effects when technology is used for educational instruction and some may argue that not all of the effects are positive (How to Integrate Technology in the Classroom, n.d.). However, although we knew opinions among both the public and other educators are leaning toward the fact that students need to be proficient computer users, here are a few important reasons for the integration of technology that we have come to understand in our efforts to integrate technology: 1) fear of another world wide pandemic according, 2) more depth into the content-area curriculum is possible 3) engages students and creates active learners, 4) encourages individual learning and growth, 5) facilitates peer collaboration, and 6) prepares students for the real world (5 Reasons to Incorporate Technology into Your Classroom, n.d.).
Fear of another World Wide Pandemic According
As we live in very uncertain times and with the fact that COVID-19 has not been eliminated, we should fear of another world wide pandemic according and we should be ready for it and not be caught by surprise. Many school districts across the country had to scramble for a plan of virtual learning. Some school districts had some technology available to use while others didn’t have much. Teachers as well as students should have some kind of technology exposure throughout the school year. In fact, I found out that my students didn’t struggle with the transition of virtual learning because they had been exposed to the use of technology from almost all their teachers that they were the ones helping some of their siblings. I believe the most difficult part of virtual learning was having to share the use of technology between other siblings needing to do school work and parents having to work from home. However, it still showed us that with the use of technology, school work can still be accessed and done at home.
More Depth into the Content-Area Curriculum is Possible
While working in more depth with the content, students are able to move beyond knowledge and comprehension to application and analysis of information.
Engages Students and Creates Active Learners
Active engagement is a key part of any lesson plan. Whether students are working independently or collaboratively, technology engages students because it is interactive (How to Integrate Technology in the Classroom, n.d.). Students are motivated by technology, thus increasing academic engagement time. I would recommend that there would be more engaging platforms for all content areas and for all different ages. Teaching math I found it that students dislike math. Part has to do with the fact that teachers don’t make more interactive or engaging. Providing them with an online platform that would provide students with a more interactive and engaging form of math could only have more students that would enjoy math and be more successful in it.
Encourages Individual Learning and Growth
Students have different ways of learning and it would be a disservice to the learning process if they didn’t have access to technology. Technology provides access to different learning styles and provides an opportunity for growth.
Facilitates Peer Collaboration
In a research project conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, many educators reported that technology facilitated peer collaboration (5 Reasons to Incorporate Technology into Your Classroom, n.d.). After using Google Suite for Education, I became familiar with Google Docs, Sheets, Slides and Forms. These apps, allowed me as an educator to allow my students to work collaboratively. I found that my students really enjoyed working in groups and being able to work together on a presentations remotely, without ever leaving the house.
Prepares Students for the Real World
Technology is an integral part of how we work and live, every day. Teaching students how to use technology to learn, research, collaborate, and solve problems from an early age will better prepare them for their careers (5 Reasons to Incorporate Technology into Your Classroom, n.d.).
References
5 Reasons to Incorporate Technology into Your Classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved July 07, 2020, from https://www.capella.edu/blogs/cublog/benefits-of-technology-in-the-classroom/
How to Integrate Technology in the Classroom. (n.d.). Retrieved July 07, 2020, from https://drexel.edu/soe/resources/student-teaching/student-teaching/how-to-use-technology-in-the-classroom/