For 21st century educators, the use of technology in the classroom has no longer become an option, but a requirement. As the student bodies being taught continue to change, so do their educational needs. In order to provide the best practices of technology integration in the classroom, teachers must incorporate multiple strategies, follow new trends, and utilize the strategies that they are the most comfortable with. Even though the use new technology may be somewhat intimidating for some teachers, it can also be used as a tool to bridge the gap between generations of students.
After researching multiple educational articles on technology, most seem to stress the importance of using a variety of strategies in the classroom. Teachers who integrate technology by using the same methods and activities will eventually see student engagement. As new technology is developed, even more choices can be offered. Currently, some of the best and most widely used strategies include: presentation tools, clickers, technology- based educational games, technology-based performance assessments, computer simulations, teacher websites, blogs, streaming video, wikis, etc. (Salend, 2009, pp. 49-54) Along with engaging students, the use of these technological tools can help to provide students with skills they will need to succeed in a contemporary society. (Besnoy, 2006, p.34)
Although there is a learning curve to any new technology, there are also great benefits that it can provide. For example, using technology-based assessments and clickers not only record and give feedback on student performance quickly, they also help teachers to identify problem areas to address. Another strategy that can be very beneficial is the use of computer sim...
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...nd pick areas of comfort. As we head further into the 21st century, technology will continue to become a larger part of our lives. Fighting against the use of technology is a losing battle that will do nothing but create a gap between teachers and students. Technology doesn’t replace the importance of teachers, but is rather a tool for teachers to enhance the learning experiences of their students.
Works Cited
Besnoy, Kevin (2006). How Do I Do That? : Integrating Web Sites Into the Gifted Education Classroom. Gifted Child Today, 29(1), 28-34.
Harvey-Woodall, Antionette (2009). Integrating Technology into the Classroom: How Does it Impact Student Achievement?, 1-10.
Salend, Spencer J. (2009). Technology-Based Classroom Assessments: Alternatives to Testing. Teaching Exceptional Children, (July/August), 48-58.
Working as an Instructional Technology Specialist for the past seven years has provided many opportunities to observe teachers and students in a classroom setting. During this time teachers have been in the process of phasing in a new standards-based curriculum with an emphasis on student mastery of these standards. New technology tools have also been incorporated in many classrooms including studen...
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 of 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. It can cause many distractions, it can be difficult to use and can take away from learning time.
Image a school with laptops available to each student to complete their class notes, teachers who are able to help their students through the screens of their computer, children who are excited to learn about numbers with the help of cute, animated characters. With the endless advancement of today’s technology, schools across the world have begun integrating various technology into their curriculum. These devices have the potential to greatly impact students in their learning. When a school opts to use technology in a school setting, the most important factors they should take into consideration are the benefits of using technological devices, the effectiveness of technology used
Technology is becoming more and more dominant in our society.Everyday upgrades are being made and new innovations are being discovered. Technology is all around us whether we want it to be or not: it is the vehicles we drive, it can be found in our homes, and can even be found in the grocery store.Every place we look there is some type of technology.I believe technology has had a major impact on our school systems and is still impacting it today.There are those who do not agree, though, that technology has impacted our schools.Eric Gormly writes, “In fact, many theorists point out the overall impact of technology on education has been quite small, manifesting little discernible change in the classroom.” [1]Yes, there are some schools that are not as advanced as others, but many of them do have a significant amount of technology in them.I find it fascinating that so much technology has been incorporated into our classrooms, but I believe that, even with all of the positive aspects that are associated with technology, there are some negative and even dangerous aspects that should be taken into account.I will be sharing some of the equipment that has been used in the schools, how both the students and the teachers use the equipment, and also the positive and negative effects that technology has had on our schools.
The twenty-first century has arrived, and it has brought some of the most advanced computing technologies into the classroom; this leaves us with a very important question, do we really need technology, such as iPads or computers, implemented in our learning plans? As a student that has taken entire courses on iPads or computers, I can tell you that the former is not the case. There are plenty of reasons to teach about technological advances in each individual field of learning, but, more often than not, technology is unreliable and distracting for students. Not to mention that methods of maintenance rehearsal, like taking notes by hand, are more effective for recollection of information than staring into a screen. The bottom line is, using technology as a tool for education in the classroom is not necessary because it can inhibit the way students learn material.
Not many people would argue that computer technology is bad for the K-12 classroom. There is, however, a serious and thought-provoking debate going on regarding computer technology in the classroom. At issue is to what extent and at what age should computers be integrated in American classrooms. There is no question that a certain level of technology will bring improvements in academic achievement. In one study on children of low socioeconomic status a definite improvement was seen. It was noted that, “Increasing the technology available to students encourages, facilitates, and supports student achievement – at the elementary level, the most profound effects were found in the area of mathematics” (Page 391). Page also states that, “numerous studies have demonstrated that young children’s self-esteem or self-concept directly affects their academic performance” (Page 391).
" 51.9 (2008): 1352-1375. Web. 13 Nov. 2013. Schacter, John. " The Impact of Education Technology on Student Achievement."
Do you ever think about how much technology has changed the way we work, learn, play, and even think? Technology is a major beneficiary to society; especially in the classroom where we get the opportunity to learn and grow. In recent years, schools have begun implementing tablets and other devices in the classroom to better student’s education. The use of technology in the classroom provides more of a personalized learning experience and gives students a widespread availability to engage in learning. Technology is necessary in today’s modern globe, it is basically “the pen and paper of our time and the lens through which we experience much of our world” (Warlick, 2013). Technology is not just considered the “internet”, it is so much greater than that. Overall, it enhances the quality of education and engages students deeper than ever before. With all the significant gains, why would people argue that technology hinders students more than it helps? Critics may try to repute the use of technology in the classroom but I believe what really matters “is the way we use it, the context that we use it in, and the learners who we use it for” (Chong, 2012).
In less than a decade, computer use progressed from programming classes for a few of the better students, to literacy classes for all students, to the integration of computers and technology into the curriculum. Now, there is a goal for educators to use technology as a tool in efforts to teach more effectively by using a variety of strategies to meet different needs in a diverse classroom. This will take training and commitment to keep up in an area that changes quickly, but the benefits to teachers and students are greater that the effort it will take to stay informed; computers increase productivity of students and make learning a fun experience. They help students become better problem-solvers instead of just rote learners.
Waxman, H.C., Len, M., & Michko, G. M. (2003). A meta-analysis of the effectiveness of teaching and learning with technology on student outcomes. North Central Regional Education Laboratory. Available online at: http://www.ncrel.org/tech/effects2/waxman.pdf
During my time at this field placement, I noticed how Mrs. Anderson uses technology on a daily basis and wanted to give it a try myself. Students seem to enjoy it very much and from what I have seen, Mrs. Anderson gets a great response from the students as far as scores go. Technology in the classroom can be used for different types of assessments as well whether it be for a presentation, test or online activity. As a 21st century pre-service teacher, it is very important for me to know how to properly use technology in the classroom and how to successfully incorporate it into my curriculum. “Teachers must learn to use technology and must allow it to change their present teaching paradigm. This is not an easy task because change can seem intimidating and threatening” (Bitner, 1). This quote sums up exactly what I should be working on in terms of incorporating technology into the classroom. If I begin to use it now then I will be less intimidated in the
Modern technology has made it so much easier to obtain educational information for classroom or homework assignments. It offers educational games that stimulate the brain and help children who have difficulties focusing on traditional teaching and learning procedures. College students are even taking advantage of online courses that many colleges are offering as an alternative to physically attending classes. Advances in technology and computers will continue to play an important role in education for many generations to come.
Earle, Rodney S. 2002, “The Integration of Instructional Technology into Public Education: Promises and Challenges”, Educational Technology, vol. 42, no. 1, pp. 5-13, viewed on 12 January
students prefer technology because they believe that it makes learning more interesting and fun. They especially like laptops and tablets. Subjects that students deem challenging or boring can become more interesting with virtual lessons, through a video, or when using a tablet. Technology occupies an important place within students’ lives. When they are not in school, just about everything that they do is connected in some way to technology. By integrating technology into the classroom, teachers are changing the way they used to teach (lectures six hours a day) and providing students with the tools that will take them into the 21st century. One of the characteristics of the modern classroom is collaboration and technology helps to empower it. With classroom technology students can collaborate with other students and their teachers in and outside of the classroom quickly and easily.
Technology has changed many aspects of our lives, so why should we expect less of the classroom atmosphere? Technology in the classroom has changed the way students learn and the way teachers teach. Technology today is integrated into the classroom as a teaching tool rather than being taught as a course. There are many ways that technology is used in today’s classroom such as the World Wide Web, Power Point, and Excel (Starr, 2011). Teachers will continue to be the most important aspect of a child’s education because they teach and technology does not. The use of technology in the classroom can bring advantages to a child’s education but can also bring disadvantages (Cleaver, 2011).