Journal Post #4 Integrating Technology and Creating Change

 Photo Credit to Curtis Palmer on Flickr

Focus Question: How does technology promote educational change?

     Technology is constantly changing and improving. The commercial for the next iPhone comes on and suddenly we have to have it. There’s almost an innate need for evolvement within us, and sometimes technology can satisfy that need (until the next best version comes out). It is well known that students generally understand and enjoy technology, so why not integrate it into the classroom? Assuming teachers are willing to take this step, technology could change education in numerous ways. The first of these is instant research. “Ask anyone over the age of 50 with a PhD what it was like to get the information that they needed and they will generally begin to swear and discuss how young people these days have it so soft” (Wilhelm). Students have tiny computers in their pockets, and when used correctly, their questions can be answered almost immediately. Another big reason is simulating motivation and self-esteem. “Through either personal experience or a review of the literature, many innovators perceived the dramatic effects that technology can have on students' interest in class activities and their sense of their own capabilities” (Reasons for Bringing Technology Into Schools).  As I said earlier, why not integrate technology that students are comfortable using and enjoy using? 

Photo Credit to James F Clay on Flickr

Tech Tool4.1: Online Technology Integration Resources

     Edutopia is a great website. I did last week’s post with some Edutopia articles and I was very impressed with the selection. The second site mentioned was the National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers (NETS-T). This website shows teachers how others have integrated technology into their classroom and discusses the different effects it’s had on their teaching methods. The third site listed is NCTE. It first discusses a weekly summary of English/language arts but also mentions posts from teachers that use technology within their classrooms. Because I already know and use Edutopia, I think NCTE is what interests me the most from this week’s Tech Tool. I love the idea of a blog of feedback from teachers that already use technology with their students.

 

Photo Credit to audiovisualjunkie on Flickr

Chapter Summary: Integrating Technology and Creating Change

     This chapter discusses integrating technology into classrooms, and the pros and cons that come with it. The main problems addressed are the digital divide, inequality, and the gap in participation. The divide discusses students that aren’t able to access the internet as easily as others. Digital inequality states that simply having computers around school isn’t enough. When students are outside of school, not all of them have internet access on weeknights and weekends. This leads to the participation gap, which states that students that have ready access are much more technologically knowledgeable as they have more exposure than students who do not have the same opportunities. “Often, economically advantaged kids get to do more intellectually challenging activities, a consequence of tracking by test scores where some youngsters are seen as talented and gifted while others are defined as lacking proficiency in basic skills”  (Maloy, 2011). I think that as long as teachers are willing to work with the technology they have, that any change and integration is good change/integration. Personally I’ve found that technology in the classroom is incredibly helpful. I really enjoyed the activity we did with Socrative, as I found the app itself to be very innovative. I also think that access to class materials via portal/canvas is something I can’t imagine not having. Without technology aiding my schooling, I’m not sure where I’d be; yet I’m continually learning about new sites, apps, and methods to access them. We are lucky enough to have constant access here at Edison, and I personally am lucky enough to have a small computer in my pocket 24/7.

References:

Maloy, R. W. (2011). Integrating Technology and Creating Change. Transforming learning with new technologies (p. 95). Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

Reasons for Bringing Technology Into Schools. (n.d.). U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved September 11, 2013, from http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/reasons.html

Wilhelm, Alex. "How Technology Has Changed Education - The Next Web." The Next Web - International technology news, business & culture. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Sept. 2013. <http://thenextweb.com/insider/2011/01/05/how-technology-has-changed-education/>.