Vision Statement for Integrating Technology into Teaching
Technology is all around us and can be linked to everything we do including shopping, paying bills, playing, and connecting with people. With its increased presence in our lives, it only makes sense for technology to be available in the classroom. Technology provides increased learning opportunities for our students and should be embraced and integrated into their educational experience.
An educator’s goal should be to provide the best possible education for his or her students. Part of this is to prepare our students for the workforce and the world after they leave school. This may mean moving away from traditional or objectivist models of teaching and providing students with a more constructivist approach that provides students with the ability to work more independently and collaboratively with others both in person and online. (Roblyer, 2016, p. 50). As technology grows and changes, we must do the same in order to help prepare our students for the future. We must teach our students to properly utilize the technology that exists today so that they will be able to incorporate it into their future careers.
When integrating technology, an educator's role is to decide which learning approach best suits the learning activity and the students needs. Both directed learning based on objectivism and inquiry based learning based on constructivism contribute essential elements to instruction that involves the use of technology. Directed learning provides the foundational skills for students and ensures that prerequisite skills are learned. Inquiry based instruction allows students to generate knowledge through experiences (Roblyer, 2016, p. 48-50).
With the use of technology in the classroom, students and teachers have instantaneous and more current resources available to them and allows for differentiation among students. Technology allows teachers to help students find materials that best meet their needs. Directed learning through the use of apps and websites can support students who need more practice with skills like reading and math through the use of drill and practice software. Other softwares can provide more accelerated students with self directed, inquiry learning for topics that school may not address. Students can privately work at their own pace while receiving immediate feedback. Both directed learning and constructivist models can be applied through the use of simulation software when helping students understand difficult math and science concepts, and the internet can connect students with information and research that they might not be able to find locally in books or libraries. (Roblyer, 2016, page 50). Technology also allows teachers to quickly assess students learning and track student progress and decreases time to provide feedback to their students. It also saves money and time by taking the place of printed worksheets and handouts that are used and replaced each year (Roblyer, 2016, p. 22-23).
As we bring technology into the classroom, we will be able to prepare our students to be responsible digital citizens. Our students will be digital citizens for the rest of their lives both inside and outside the classroom. By integrating technology in the classroom, educators can help students learn to build positive and safe online social relationships and think critically about the content they read online. The proper use of technology in the classroom will help our students learn the best and most responsible way to use it in their lives (Mathis, 2015).
Technology provides more access to teachable moments. With technology at their fingertips, students will be able to look up information they do not know and examples and models of subject matter they are studying. Technology provides a reinforcement for lessons in a way that is interesting and fun for the students and allows educators to expand their lessons and challenge their students to find out more about what they are learning.
Technology is a powerful tool in education; however, it requires the combined support of educators, schools, districts, the local community, and the state in order to be implemented effectively. In order to successfully integrate technology, schools and districts must coordinate planning and involve teachers and technology coordinators at all stages of planning. Money should be budgeted every year to make technology purchases and upgrades. Professional development must be provided for teachers to be well-trained and up-to-date on skills. Finally, technology should be used to meet curriculum needs. (Roblyer, 2016, p. 65).
References:
Mathis, M. (2015). Technology in the classroom: 5 undeniable reasons to embrace it. In Teachhub.com. Retrieved from http://www.teachhub.com/5-undeniable-reasons-why-educators-should-embrace-technology-classroom
Roblyer, M. D. (2016). Integrating educational technology into teaching (Seventh ed., pp. 22-65). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Picture found through the Creative Commons, no changes were made: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mrpetersononline/5041842516
An educator’s goal should be to provide the best possible education for his or her students. Part of this is to prepare our students for the workforce and the world after they leave school. This may mean moving away from traditional or objectivist models of teaching and providing students with a more constructivist approach that provides students with the ability to work more independently and collaboratively with others both in person and online. (Roblyer, 2016, p. 50). As technology grows and changes, we must do the same in order to help prepare our students for the future. We must teach our students to properly utilize the technology that exists today so that they will be able to incorporate it into their future careers.
When integrating technology, an educator's role is to decide which learning approach best suits the learning activity and the students needs. Both directed learning based on objectivism and inquiry based learning based on constructivism contribute essential elements to instruction that involves the use of technology. Directed learning provides the foundational skills for students and ensures that prerequisite skills are learned. Inquiry based instruction allows students to generate knowledge through experiences (Roblyer, 2016, p. 48-50).
With the use of technology in the classroom, students and teachers have instantaneous and more current resources available to them and allows for differentiation among students. Technology allows teachers to help students find materials that best meet their needs. Directed learning through the use of apps and websites can support students who need more practice with skills like reading and math through the use of drill and practice software. Other softwares can provide more accelerated students with self directed, inquiry learning for topics that school may not address. Students can privately work at their own pace while receiving immediate feedback. Both directed learning and constructivist models can be applied through the use of simulation software when helping students understand difficult math and science concepts, and the internet can connect students with information and research that they might not be able to find locally in books or libraries. (Roblyer, 2016, page 50). Technology also allows teachers to quickly assess students learning and track student progress and decreases time to provide feedback to their students. It also saves money and time by taking the place of printed worksheets and handouts that are used and replaced each year (Roblyer, 2016, p. 22-23).
As we bring technology into the classroom, we will be able to prepare our students to be responsible digital citizens. Our students will be digital citizens for the rest of their lives both inside and outside the classroom. By integrating technology in the classroom, educators can help students learn to build positive and safe online social relationships and think critically about the content they read online. The proper use of technology in the classroom will help our students learn the best and most responsible way to use it in their lives (Mathis, 2015).
Technology provides more access to teachable moments. With technology at their fingertips, students will be able to look up information they do not know and examples and models of subject matter they are studying. Technology provides a reinforcement for lessons in a way that is interesting and fun for the students and allows educators to expand their lessons and challenge their students to find out more about what they are learning.
Technology is a powerful tool in education; however, it requires the combined support of educators, schools, districts, the local community, and the state in order to be implemented effectively. In order to successfully integrate technology, schools and districts must coordinate planning and involve teachers and technology coordinators at all stages of planning. Money should be budgeted every year to make technology purchases and upgrades. Professional development must be provided for teachers to be well-trained and up-to-date on skills. Finally, technology should be used to meet curriculum needs. (Roblyer, 2016, p. 65).
References:
Mathis, M. (2015). Technology in the classroom: 5 undeniable reasons to embrace it. In Teachhub.com. Retrieved from http://www.teachhub.com/5-undeniable-reasons-why-educators-should-embrace-technology-classroom
Roblyer, M. D. (2016). Integrating educational technology into teaching (Seventh ed., pp. 22-65). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Picture found through the Creative Commons, no changes were made: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mrpetersononline/5041842516