Deanna Hurtado Ed Tech 470 Instructor: Jacki Montierth
Why Integrate Technology into the Curriculum?: The Reasons Are Many by Edutopia Staff Technology is ubiquitous, touching almost every part of our lives, our communities, our homes. Yet most schools lag far behind when it comes to integrating technology into classroom learning. Many are just beginning to explore the true potential tech offers for teaching and learning. Properly used, technology will help students acquire the skills they need to survive in a complex, highly technological knowledge-based economy.
VIDEO: Harrison Central High School: A Commitment to High Tech Running Time: 9 min. Integrating technology into classroom instruction means more than teaching basic computer skills and software programs in a separate computer class. Effective tech integration must happen across the curriculum in ways that research shows deepen and enhance the learning process. In particular, it must support four key components of learning: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to real-world experts. Effective technology integration is achieved when the use of technology is routine and transparent and when technology supports curricular goals.
Many people believe that technology-enabled project learning is the ne plus ultra of classroom instruction. Learning through projects while equipped with technology tools allows students to be intellectually challenged while providing them with a realistic snapshot of what the modern office looks like. Through projects, students acquire and refine their analysis and problem-solving skills as they work individually and in teams to find, process, and synthesize information they've found online. The myriad resources of the online world also provide each classroom with more interesting, diverse, and current learning materials. The Web connects students to experts in the real world and provides numerous opportunities for expressing understanding through images, sound, and text. New tech tools for visualizing and modeling, especially in the sciences, offer students ways to experiment and observe phenomenon and to view results in graphic ways that aid in understanding. And, as an added benefit, with technology tools and a project-learning approach, students are more likely to stay engaged and on task, reducing behavioral problems in the classroom. Technology also changes the way teachers teach, offering educators effective ways to reach different types of learners and assess student understanding through multiple means. It also enhances the relationship between teacher and student. When technology is effectively integrated into subject areas, teachers grow into roles of adviser, content expert, and coach. Technology helps make teaching and learning more meaningful and fun. Return to our Technology Integration page to learn more. This article originally published on 3/16/2008
Technology important for learning Submitted by Olufemi Gordon (not verified) on January 15, 2009 - 16:56. Technology is very important for educating students. It allow students to explore a more wider variety of learning besides sitting in a desk and doing written assignments. It's amazing to see what type of projects and assignments students create just by using different forms of technology. It brings the creativeness out of students. All students learn in differnt ways and by having technology in the schools, it allows students to explore their different leatning styles. •
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Technology and dfferences in learning Submitted by Carla (not verified) on January 17, 2009 - 14:40.
Olufemi, It always amazes me when I am able to see how some of my students will take a project where I have allowed them to use computer technology and run with it. Their creativity really comes to the forefront and they seek a deeper understanding of the material I have presented so that their project can be the best. Through using technology in my classroom I hope to continue to bring the student's enthusiasm to the classroom and to learning. •
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Technology and the Different Learning Styles Submitted by Farena J. Bradley (not verified) on January 16, 2009 - 20:12. Olufemi, I do agree with you about the different learning styles. Having students apply thier different learning styles to projects, brings about a vast amount of creative ideas that can be implemented. Technology has truly paved the way for this fast pace world in which we live. •
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This is post number 2 for Submitted by Stephanie Parsons (not verified) on January 11, 2009 - 15:46. This is post number 2 for me! I cannot find my original posting!!! I previously posted that money has so much to do with how technology can advance in schools. Clearly the schools in low income areas are at a disadvantage to the wealhier school districts. I teach in a small urban district and the schools are always finacially strapped with very little wiggle room to buy anything new, let alone new advances in technology. Our computers run slowly and are outdated and there are only 3 SMART boards in our building, all of which were purchased by the individual teachers whose rooms they are in. It is unfortuate that not all students are presented with the same opportunities in high school, especially with technology. Technology is not slowing down and the students without the latest technoloies will fall behind. •
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To say that technology isn't Submitted by Stephanie Parsons (not verified) on January 11, 2009 - 15:14.
To say that technology isn't a huge part of education today would be a lie. Clearly, advances in technology is where everything is leading, not just inside the classroom. But it is also very true that schools are falling behind and I think this has much to do with funding. I had the wonderful opportunity to attend a "Blue Ribbon School of Excellence" when I was in high school. Money for the school was never an issue and levies always passed. There were computer labs and language labs all over the building for students to use as well as a media center with computers and other resources. My how perspective can change! My first and current teaching job is at a very lowincome school. A levy hasn't passed in 8 years and the school district does anything it can to shave dollars from the budget. There are not the same technology opportuniies here that there were in my high school. A lot of students at the school do not even have internet at home. There are limited computer labs in the building and the English department usually has those monopolized for most of the year with research papers. The amount of money that a school has will greatly affect how the school is able to integrate technology into the school and to the students. •
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Using technology to enhance learning Submitted by Carla (not verified) on January 8, 2009 - 16:35. Technology is definitely the future of the classroom. The problem is teaching teachers to use it creatively and safely. As Kristin mentions, if we simply continue to do the same things in the classroom simply with technology we will not engage the students in new learning. In teaching them new ways to use technology in their academic world, we will prepare them for the future when they will need to be innovative in their work with technology. Difficulties that I see in integrating technology in the classroom is recent budget cuts and the lack of technology available to the students in the classroom. Another difficulty is that teachers need to be provided with training by the school district to expand their knowledge of technology's uses in the classroom. Many teachers would be eager to use it but are scared of the safety issues or are not familiar enough with technology. Sometimes it is very difficult to work in the classroom when you know that the students are very much more capable of using the technology than the teacher is. •
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Funding Submitted by Krystin (not verified) on January 11, 2009 - 19:24.
Funding is a BIG problem for all involved. My school just recently updated its computer system, but we are still far behind. This year I graduated to a white board instead of my traditional chalk board. That was nice, but if I had to use something more high tech, like a smart board, I wouldn't know what to do with it. The big problem once the technology is acquired is that there needs to be funding for training. Our country is in a severe economic crisis and the schools reflect the lack of funds. The families of some of the students don't have the technology resources available at home that help them stay on top of the tech world either. I do know how you feel, though. Good luck to you! •
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The rewards and costs of increasing technology in the classroom Submitted by Cathy (not verified) on January 10, 2009 - 20:24. Hi. I teach high school math and science in Tennessee. I'm currently taking a graduate course in which we are exploring the roles of technology in the classroom. I'm very behind in this area, but have learned a lot just this week. As Carla mentioned, I have some uneasiness in jumping into some of these technologies. I don't mind that the students will be more adept at using it, but I don't want them to be able to use any of it inappropriately, thus possibly causing problems for them or me!! I do want to try to incorporate more technology into my classes, and am trying to get there. I do wonder what the long term effects will be of all the collaborative learning and instant information. In my course readings it has been mentioned that students do not learn or process information in the same way that we did. I notice in the classroom that if a topic or discussion lasts over 5 to 7 minutes, they lose interest. I think they are used to the constantly changing world of internet and ipods. I'm not sure I think this is always a good thing. I see that they know a little bit about a lot more things than I did at that age, but they aren't always interested in knowing anything in depth.Perhaps, I just don't know how to communicate with them. Does anyone else have these concerns? •
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Upcoming Difficulties Submitted by Ms. Bradley (not verified) on January 9, 2009 - 22:08. As mentioned before, the economic crisis our country is by far hurting the education budget. My school district’s budget was cut by 7.5 million dollars. There is a freeze on all teacher professional development conferences, hiring freezes, as well as budgets. How can we learn more about the new technology that has been installed in our classrooms if we are unable to attend classes, seminars, or conferences to learn more about them? Looking forward to hearing all thoughts. Carla, I do agree that it is difficult to work in the classroom when you have students who are very much more capable of using the technology better than you. With this matter,
discipline problems arise, because you would then lose your student’s interest. When a student’s interest is lost it is hard to regain focus. I hope that are legislators see how this is a disservice to educators. In order for us to better ourselves as professionals and provide a quality education to our children, we must continue to learn in order to do that effectively. •
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Using Technology to do things differently Submitted by Krystin (not verified) on January 7, 2009 - 19:26. I am currently taking a masters course about using technology in a classroom. This week we are looking at the idea of using technology to do things differently and using it to do different things. When it is used to do thing differently, it is simply take a curren task and placing it in a new context, for example, powerpoint is presentations is still lecturing, wordprocessing is still presenting a piece of written work, etc. This is technology use that is automating. On the flipside there is innovating use of technology that involves doing different things, for example, podcasting and videomaking. I am a 4th grade teacher with limited experience in this latter area of doing different things. I am hoping someone can provide me with more insight and perhaps ideas. Thank you.
Technology Videos Turning on Technology: Using Today's Tools to Study Yesterday's This video teaches us how the integration of technology can be applied to all the content areas. Whether it is by taking pictures of different innovations, doing research on the internet, creating their own Power-Point, etc, students take ownership of their learning and projects. Tech in Real Life: Students See Devices as Tools, Not Toys It is amazing to see how engaged the students were with the use of technology. The students learn how to use technology such as computers, ph readers, etc, as an enhancing tool that provides more information for them in a fun way. Technology makes learning much more interesting for them, and they understand how technology helps serve as tools in their learning. Mary Scroggs Elementary School: A Wired Education
This video is truly my favorite. Some may feel that it is very difficult to integrate technology in the lower grades, but Mary Scroggs Elementary proved them wrong. It is amazing how Kindergarten students learn how to use technology such as computers. The students and parents are able to see the framework of the week through the use of computers. Also, parents are more involved and aware of their children’s education. Assistive-Technology: Enabling Dreams It is amazing how technology such as cell phones, voice activated software, computers, etc, impact the future of all students, including students who have a disability. Unfortunately, many teachers are not aware of the technology that is available to them. Exposing our students to assistive devices helps them master these devices faster. A Product of Learning: Representing Their Work Through Tech This video teaches us the importance of technology in learning. Students can conduct their own research, format their papers, make their own videos, etc. When students create their own work through the use of technology, the content becomes much more comprehensible, and they are able to retain the knowledge.
