1. Based on your readings, how would you characterize the effectiveness of technology use in education today? How would you improve that effectiveness? (30 pts)
I would characterize the effectiveness of technology use in education today as optimistically in its infancy. When certain conditions are met, computing technology has a positive effect on learning and teaching in the primary and secondary grades in the U.S. school system therefore the potential exists but has not been realized (Norris, Soloway and Sullivan, 2002). The problem is getting those conditions met within a school. Norris et al. (2002) state the following conditions must be met:
• Sufficient access to technology
• Adequate teacher preparation
• Effective curriculum
• Relevant assessment
• Supportive school/district administration
• Supportive family/community
One would think that the access to technology would be the main culprit behind the lack of use of technology by teachers, but according to the eSchool News Staff (2010), only 29 percent of the teachers who said they used specific technology devices less than once a week in their classrooms cited lack of access as the primary reason. The main takeaway is that 49 percent of teachers felt the technology devices weren’t necessary. That translates to half of the teachers willingly deciding not to use these devices at all.
Generally, I think most parents, teachers and administrators feel that technology can be a valuable teaching asset. Why is this not translating to practical use in the classroom? I don’t think the general public has been sold on the positive effects of technology use in education. Politics and money aside, there should be a blitzkrieg of information on the positives of this technolo...
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The second technology that may have an impact is the use of collaboration tools such as Smart Tables. Although fairly expensive, they have the ability to encourage social collaboration and targets multiple styles of learning; visual, audial and kinesthetic. There can be long-term savings by reducing paper waste and reduction in time spent handing out hard copies of material.
Works Cited
Norris, Cathleen, Elliot Soloway, and Terry Sullivan. "Examining 25 Years of Technology in U.S. Education." Communication of the ACM 45.8 (2002): 15-18. Print.
"Research dispels common ed-tech myths | eSchool News. Web. 9 Mar. 2014. .
“The Technology Factor: Nine Keys to Student Achievement and Cost-Effectiveness.” Project RED. The Greaves Group, The Hayes Connection, One-to-One Institute (2010).
We live in an age of technology. Like it or not, technology is quickly changing the way people access information, communicate, and learn. So with this new tool in just about everyone’s hands, why shouldn’t schools use technology to provide better education to students'? Schools should keep in mind the type of technology, the future of human interactions, and the high quality of learning provided by tech. The world is ever becoming smaller thanks to technology.
Almost everyone attends a school at one time in their life, whether the classroom includes technology or not. Research shows that technology isn’t used as often as one might think. The article, “High Access and Low Use of Technology in High School Classrooms” illustrates the use of technology by stating that only one in ten elementary and middle school teachers are daily users of computers (Cuban, Kirkpatrick, Peck). Most schools now have classrooms that use technology throughout the entire class time and even at home to do homework. Although some people might agree with the use of technology in class, it is more harmful to the students than useful.
Simon, G. (2002). Technology and pedagogy: Why don’t we see the promised revolution? Educational Technology, 42: 71-75.
Within technology comes the gateway to almost everything that is out in the internet, it opens a whole new world to the students and the teachers that use them. The outcome of the uses, if they happen to be good or bad, come from the restrictions and the management of usage of said technology inside a classroom. Educators see firsthand how the used in their daily lives influence how a student learns. Thanks to technology not only has students and teachers changed the ways they learn and teach, learning itself has changed as well. It is not only crucial to have the technological tools needed in a classroom, but also an educator that can mend and mold the technology to their rightful use. The use of technology in a classroom not only expands the tools and gadgets, not to mention adds much needed knowledge that will help students later on in life, but also brings a whole new and better way to teach and learn.
Education always tries to be as efficient as possible, and so the combination with technology, was inevitable. From the blackboard to the whiteboard and from the overhead projector to the computer projector, there has always been gradual up-scaling of technology in the classroom. Information technologies are keeping suit, and are being adopted into schools with open arms. Some schools, especially colleges, even go so far as to require computers (McCune pg. 3). Well over half of the schools in the United States today have been upgraded to include
Ross, John D. (2001). Toward an Effective Use of Technology in Education. Washington DC. Retrieved March 5, 2005, from EBSCO database.
Technology in education has advantages that help educate children efficiently. Even though, there are opponents who have concerns that too much is happening, too fast, and that children’s attention spans are too short already, many proponents believe introducing electronics to students will enhance their desire to participate and excel, along with allowing easier access for parents and educators to be involved and stay up to date. These benefits alone are reason enough to move forward and modernize technologies in education for all students, teachers and schools.
In his book “The Flickering Mind,” Todd Oppenheimer suggests that technology should not be included in schools. In a review of Oppenhiemer’s book, Blaisdell (2003) summarizes Oppenhiemer’s conclusion: “Putting computers in classrooms has been almost entirely wasteful, and the rush to keep schools up-to-date with the latest technology has been largely pointless” (Blaisdell, 2003). Oppenheimer’s book, according to a blurb following the review title, says that, “ . . . Technology - from TV to the laptop - delivers less than hoped for by schools.” (Blaisdell, 2003).
Burns, J. 2014. How technology best boosts learning. [online] Available at: http://www.bbc.com/news/education-24761270 [Accessed: 8 Mar 2014].
Living in the 21st century, our world revolves around technology and electronics. Almost everybody has a smartphone, laptop, and a television. People of my generation would find it hard to live without some form of technology or electronic device. So why is it such a controversial idea to use technology in a school setting? Since technology tends to be used for recreational purposes so often, people do not realize that they can be a great tool to help students learn in a more fun and relatable way, can help teachers teach in the classroom, and allow people to take online classes. Another great use for technology in education is to provide people with disabilities or people in very rural areas an opportunity to learn via e-learning.
Technology is always a tool that saves time and facilitates our lives in one way or another. Everyone wants to know if technology is really going to help our children learn more, and truly make a difference in the way teaching is currently being done in the classrooms. What will it cost to bring in technology, and can it be afforded without breaking the wallets of the parents and schools? Can technology help bring education back to life in children’s lives where they want to go to school and actually be there? Society needs to acknowledge that with technology many things can be achieved in education for all ages, grade levels, and countries.
Burdette, K., McGraw T. & Ross, J. (2001). Toward an effective use of technology in education. A summary of research. (p.3) Charleston, WV: AEL
Technology has a powerful and positive impact on instruction today especially when staff development and technology integration is an integral part of the process. Educators have clearly underutilized technology in the classroom but it should not be confused with the significance of the role of technology in the educational process. Technology in this research paper is defined as a computer and online resources. The thrust of this paper is to explore some positive events that represent the role of technology in the educational process of children. In the article Past and Present Research Findings on Computers and Related Technology in Education, Fouts (2001) concludes that researchers have used different approaches ...
According to a recent study by the U.S. Department of Education, despite access to funding and equipment, less than 35% of teachers have integrated technology in their instruction at the very least, on a weekly basis. (U.S. Department of Education, 2008) Research has shown that teachers’ beliefs, comfort level and readiness to use technology play a crucial role in its implementation within a school setting. Other concerns such as technological literacy and perceived usefulness of technology for student learning can dictate its use, or lack thereof. “Educators are urged to incorporate technology into instruction, but the effectiveness of educational technology is determined by teachers’ readiness to use it, not by its mere presence in the classroom.” (Jones, 2001) Much research has been done regarding the lack of technology implementation in schools. The common thread is the inability of connection for teachers between technology tools, and how they impact student learning.
Technology has many different effects on education, one of them being enhancing the students learning. Technology may enhance the students learning and may assist most students in achieving their academic standards. When technology and appropriate teaching methods are combined, technology may increase the academic achievement. Positive effects have been found in all major subject areas, from preschool to higher education, both regular and special needs students. Educational technology has been found to have a positive effect on a student’s attitude toward learning and on self-concepts. The introduction of technology into the learning environment has allowed the learning to be more student-centered, to encourage group learning, and helps to stimulate an increase in the student-teacher interaction. Technology has shown a shift from a focus on a student’s memorization to their problem solving. Through technology’s use, learning opportunities have become unrestricted by time or place, allowing lifelong learning. Student use of technology through communications can also help to enhance access to a career and continued education. Students are more likely to use a computer to get help because they can to it themselves. Technology is helping students to become independent.