Trends And Issues Related To Technology Integration

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Trends And Issues Related To Technology Integration

The use of computers in school classrooms has evolved throughout the years, and has become revolutionary in changing the way we teach and learn. Our classrooms should no longer be confined to four walls and a few teachers who are considered to be experts in knowledge. Our classrooms need to keep up with a changing society and a new world that is dependent on technology. As students graduate, they need the technological skills needed to thrive in a world in which technology sets the pace. Society expects the school system to produce functional citizens who have the skills to gain profitable employment, and not be a drain on the system.

Computers have been in the schools since the 1960s, but they were not used in the same capacity as they are used today. The use of computers is still expanding, and the future of education is very exciting when the full extent of this revolutionary phenomena is realized. In the 1960s computers were not widespread and most people who were educated during this decade hardly remember them at all. In the 1970s computers became smaller and less expensive, but the schools still did not use them much throughout most of the decade. By the end of the seventies, computer use in the schools started to increase. Students began to have hands-on experience.

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.

By the time a student is in middle school he or she should be able to use software tools such as word processing , data bases, spreadsheets, and telecommunications. But the computer can be used for so much more. The computer can be used as a tutor or for research on any topic. As a tutor, the comput...

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...; it should not be a tool to divide society. The opportunity to learn more effectively should be offered to all students regardless of economic situations. The ability to operate the technologies that locate and use information is a critical skill. If economics are a factor in keeping some students from learning these skills, society as a whole will suffer. All schools need to be equipped to teach in the most effective way; this means they need technology and teachers who know how to use it. Technology is expensive. Federal funds do not cover the expense and funds are always in danger of being cut. This leaves local schools and districts to take up the slack. People need to be aware of the expense and work together to generate funds. Alliances and partnerships with corporations and small businesses are one way to gain equipment. Costs can also be shared by local civic groups, school districts and individuals. If the people band together, they will have a better chance to compete for federal and private foundation money. Well organized grassroot groups influence action. The importance of technology in learning should never be disregarded, and it should be available to all students.

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