Technology Integration
What is technology integration, and what isn't it?
Teachers are often insisted on integrating technology into the classroom without having a full understanding of this concept. Technology integration is not just simply using these tools, but rather using them as "add-ons" to teachers lessons. It misleads planners, implying that technology is like any other system (such as a black boards or over heads) that needs little to no training which is a huge misconception. For example, bringing students to the computer lab for an extra class period is not technology integration rather it is a system to revert the classes interest outside of their normal routine. Integrating technology is when educators use these tools in a seamless manner to support and extend curriculum objectives to engage students in meaningful learning; it is not done on occasion, but on a regular basis.
Where does technology integration happen?
Technology integration happens in a specific environment to ripen learning in a specific sense through seven attributes: active, constructive, collaborative, intentional, conversational, contextualized, and reflective. Active is when students use technology as either a cognitive or productivity tool to achieve results. Constructive is when students integrate new ideas into their prior knowledge to understand meaning; they use technology to produce media. Collaborative is when students work together, as a learning community, in which each individual contributes to the groups goals using technology for referencing, conferences, or software to support their collaboration. Intentional is when students are working towards finding specific information and technology allows them to organize and find these objectives to reach their goals. Conversational is students benefitting from all learning communities to build their knowledge and exchange ideas through these technological tools. Contextualized is when students are trying to recreate real life situations and simulation software helps them achieve this on certain technological devices. Last, Reflective is when students reflect on their completed ideas and they can use technology to demonstrate what they have learned.
What are the barriers of technology integration?
For teachers and administration to integrate technology into their classroom they need to understand the barriers involved; the most common barriers are time, support, training, and resources. Teachers need to learn how to use these tools correctly in order to conduct their lessons properly; that is where training comes in. They need to be trained on how to use different softwares, how to keep them up to date, and how to fix them if they crash.
What are the stages of technology integration?
Technology integration consists of five stages: entry, adoption, adaptation, appropriation, and invention. As teachers try to incorporate technology into their classrooms they are challenged with problems of discipline and resource management; they need to meet with their peers to discuss how they can involve technology without hurting classroom demeanor. When they finally adopt this method, teachers begin to worry about how to use technology as an everyday occurrence and adaptation into their curriculum. Once teachers triumph over the initial beginner stages of integrating technology into their students lives, they become comfortable enough to invent new methods of teaching with technology making education that much more interesting for their students.
Teachers are often insisted on integrating technology into the classroom without having a full understanding of this concept. Technology integration is not just simply using these tools, but rather using them as "add-ons" to teachers lessons. It misleads planners, implying that technology is like any other system (such as a black boards or over heads) that needs little to no training which is a huge misconception. For example, bringing students to the computer lab for an extra class period is not technology integration rather it is a system to revert the classes interest outside of their normal routine. Integrating technology is when educators use these tools in a seamless manner to support and extend curriculum objectives to engage students in meaningful learning; it is not done on occasion, but on a regular basis.
Where does technology integration happen?
Technology integration happens in a specific environment to ripen learning in a specific sense through seven attributes: active, constructive, collaborative, intentional, conversational, contextualized, and reflective. Active is when students use technology as either a cognitive or productivity tool to achieve results. Constructive is when students integrate new ideas into their prior knowledge to understand meaning; they use technology to produce media. Collaborative is when students work together, as a learning community, in which each individual contributes to the groups goals using technology for referencing, conferences, or software to support their collaboration. Intentional is when students are working towards finding specific information and technology allows them to organize and find these objectives to reach their goals. Conversational is students benefitting from all learning communities to build their knowledge and exchange ideas through these technological tools. Contextualized is when students are trying to recreate real life situations and simulation software helps them achieve this on certain technological devices. Last, Reflective is when students reflect on their completed ideas and they can use technology to demonstrate what they have learned.
What are the barriers of technology integration?
For teachers and administration to integrate technology into their classroom they need to understand the barriers involved; the most common barriers are time, support, training, and resources. Teachers need to learn how to use these tools correctly in order to conduct their lessons properly; that is where training comes in. They need to be trained on how to use different softwares, how to keep them up to date, and how to fix them if they crash.
What are the stages of technology integration?
Technology integration consists of five stages: entry, adoption, adaptation, appropriation, and invention. As teachers try to incorporate technology into their classrooms they are challenged with problems of discipline and resource management; they need to meet with their peers to discuss how they can involve technology without hurting classroom demeanor. When they finally adopt this method, teachers begin to worry about how to use technology as an everyday occurrence and adaptation into their curriculum. Once teachers triumph over the initial beginner stages of integrating technology into their students lives, they become comfortable enough to invent new methods of teaching with technology making education that much more interesting for their students.
"Technology cannot be integrated overnight. It can take years to complete the process. How will teachers know they have arrived if they are not familiar with signposts along the way?"
-Laurie B. Dias
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What If?This video portrays what technology could do for future students and teachers in the educational system from kindergarten through 12th grade. It explains that with technology, learning can be more interactive, entertaining, adventurous, and lively in order to capture the students attention for long periods of time rather than continuously battling a consistent schedule. Also, how teachers can have more time to teach their lessons because technology would help them fit more knowledge and information into their curriculum.
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Why Integrate Technology into the Classroom?
>Research proves that if technology is effectively integrated into an educational curriculum it will deepen and enhance the learning process for students.
>In order for this integration to be successful technology must support the four key components of learning:
1. Active engagement
2. Participation in groups
3. Frequent interaction and feedback
4. Connection to real-world experts
>This is achieved when the use of technology becomes routine and transparent to the students curricular goals
>Resources gained through technology provide each classroom with more interesting, diverse, and current learning materials
>Technology also changes the way teachers educate by offering effective ways to reach different types of learners and asses their abilities through multiple means
>Enhances the student-teacher relationship by making learning more FUN!
>In order for this integration to be successful technology must support the four key components of learning:
1. Active engagement
2. Participation in groups
3. Frequent interaction and feedback
4. Connection to real-world experts
>This is achieved when the use of technology becomes routine and transparent to the students curricular goals
>Resources gained through technology provide each classroom with more interesting, diverse, and current learning materials
>Technology also changes the way teachers educate by offering effective ways to reach different types of learners and asses their abilities through multiple means
>Enhances the student-teacher relationship by making learning more FUN!
Top 10 Reasons to Use Technology in Education
"Teachers will not be replaced by technology, but teachers who don't use technology will be replaced by those who do"
-Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach