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.
Why should we have technology in our schools? What can technology do for our school systems? Why should teachers be trained in the different technologies?
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).
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.
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.
Donley, M. 2014. Technology’s Influence on Education. [online] Available at: http://source.southuniversity.edu/technologys-influence-on-education-76874.aspx [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.
Andy Carvin states “ internet access in schools isn’t worth a hill of beans if teachers aren’t prepared to take full advantage of technology” (2000). Schools spend a lot of money on computer hardware and software as well as other technologies without realizing that many of their employees are unprepared to include them in their teaching and use them to their advantages. Educators often use technology as a classroom management tool rather than an educational one, allowing computer time as a reward for good behavior (Clark & Gorski, 2001). The problem with this is that students learn to use the computer for games and such because it is their reward instead of using it on their own time for educational purposes. This is teaching them the wrong idea. Margaret Honey, director of the Center for Children and Technology in NYC said it best, “The bottom line is, you don’t just put technology into schools or into homes and expect miracles to happen. The technology is only as good as the program that surrounds it” (Meyer, 2002, p.2).
Technology affects every aspect of our lives. From romance to business, it has shown its presence everywhere. But technology has had a huge impact on education that cannot be denied, and has done nothing but improve the quality and quantity of education.
Honey, M. (1999). Perspectives on Technology and Education Research: Lessons From the Past and Present. Retrieved November 25 2003, from http://www2.edc.org/CCT/index.asp
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 in education is a touchy subject in the United States. Many parents believe that technology will only hurt their child in future, while some believe that technology will help their child. Parents have to be open and must allow themselves, to see what is happening before they make their decision.