Technology should be a major part in elementary teacher’s curriculum planning. However, some teachers do not take advantaged of incorporating technology. As educational standards are being updated, the standard for technology education is being raised. The Juneau School District states their philosophy statement of education with their curriculum goals and standards. “In the Juneau School District students use technology to seek new knowledge, solve problems, and collaborate in a global society. The use of technology by staff and students supports the mission of the District and helps students achieve the Alaska standards in all content areas (JSD 2011).”
Incorporating technology provides students with global resources for learning. Through technology students are exposed to global access of information and can communicate instantaneously with people all around the world. Advances in technology have changed education (Arends & Kilcher 2010).
Technology has three main types of application in classrooms. First, teachers use technology to present their instruction and plan their curriculum. Second, students use technology as a resource for research, exploration, practice, and as a tool. Third, the educational system uses technology to record assessments, organize data, and complete management tasks (Slavin 2009). All three applications should be used daily in schools.
One dilemma for schools is whether to invest in a computer lab or distributing computers among classrooms. By having a computer lab classes can all work together on a project but scheduling is difficult. By having computers in classrooms teachers can more easily integrate technology, but not every student can work on a computer at the same time (Slavin).
Technology is also used as a motivational strategy in classrooms to encourage students to get excited about their lessons (Slavin 2009). “The most common--and in fact, nearly universal--teacher-reported effect on students was an increase in motivation (Technology and Education Reform 2011).”
Education should be preparing students for the future they are going to live in and this will clearly be a future where success integrates technology
References:
Juneau School District. (2011). Elementary Technology CORE/GLD:k-5. Retrieved from http://www.juneauschools.org/district/instructional_services/curriculum
Arends, R., & Kilcher, A. (2010). Teaching for student learning: Becoming an accomplished teacher. New York: Routledge.
Slavin, R. (2009). Educational psychology: theory and practice, (9th Ed.), Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson.
Technology and Education Reform. (2011). Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students. Retrieved from: http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/effectsstudents.html#increased
You have a clear, direct and purposeful voice behind your reflection...your opinion is concise and is supported with meaningful quotations. Its interesting that JSD has technology standards yet it doesn't appear to be used in some of the classrooms I have visited.
ReplyDeleteps. thanks for helping me with the paper cutting project...I'm excited to teach my first Art kit!!
I definitely agree with you, Rosie, technology should be an integral part of students' education today. JSD is on its way to doing so and is recognizing this need. In response to both yours and Jessica's comments in regard to teacher use -- I thought that the representative we spoke with from Promethean had a valid comment: schools need to think about investing not only in technology but also in professional development. This really struck me as important. Teachers should not be spending their valuable prep time and weekends reading manuals and struggling with new tools -- there need to be professional development opportunities where teachers can be trained to use new technological devices and support.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you both! Professional development is the key to bridging the gap in technology education for teachers. JSD needs to look up UBD design and check their alignment between expectations (assessments) and activities (learning plan) provided to teachers.
ReplyDeleteArts kits rock! Have fun tomorrow:)
Well I disagree with you all!
ReplyDeleteJust kidding. Tech is the way of the future and the present. 20 years ago you could get by without knowing how to work a computer. Today its very difficult to stay connected and operate in the world without having at least a little technological know-how. This is a tool that our students will need to learn how to use to survive in the world so why not take advantage of all the opportunities it can provide?
Rosie,
ReplyDeleteI never even thought of the dilemma between giving computers to classrooms versus a computer lab, I guess I just always thought that schools had computer labs!! It seem like there might be a way to close the gap, however, if more teachers did have classroom computer comfort. Right now, I hear a lot of teachers saying they don't have the schedule for the lab, the computers aren't on, blah blah blah! But if more teachers were familiar with the laptop carts (and they worked) maybe we could get more teachers to use technology!
Rosie, I agree with what you said about how students must learn how to use technology in order to be successful in the future. I also think it is important for teachers to use technology in a variety of ways for it is be most effective.
ReplyDeleteAnd now you should really forget giving classrooms their own computers.... the focus in coming years should be on giving computers to the students.
ReplyDeleteNice essay.