This weeks reading was very interesting considering how my school district is pressing the issue of incorporating technology into the classroom. My current school district has made many steps towards the issue of instructional technology.
One of the issues that stood out to me in the Anthony reading was the breakdown of the six critical issues in planning and implementing instructional computer applications. I agree with all of these issues because they do all play a vital role in the success of computer technology being in a school or classroom setting. The book mentions the access to hardwards and the role of the teachers and administrators first on the list. It is clear that if schools do not have appropriate access to technology then it will be impossible to expose these mediums to students. Also it is not just enough to have the material but to be able to make it meaningful and relevant to the learning experience of the students.
The other two things from this list that I find to be the most critical would be the quantity and of the software and teacher preparation and training. The availability of technology should be in such a way that students can work on some assignments independently and some in groups. If there are not enough pieces of technology available to a set of students, this could hinder the learning process. It is also important that teachers, the facilitators, are very familiar with the technology and can adequately demonstrate to students the use of technology and show how it adds to the curriculum.
In my school district, at the elementary grade level, there is an implementation of a computer program called Breakthrough to Literacy. This program is built on enhancing literacy skills for students and gives them a variety of games and educational programs to assist them with literacy skills. I see first hand how the use of this computer education program can get my 26 kindergarten students excited about learning and it exposes them to the basic skills of using computers. This refers me to Anthony's mention of how instructional gaming software attempts to make learning fun by combining learning and entertainment. The ability to add instructional technology gaming activities into a lesson will add variety to a student's day and allows them to learn through a supplement of typical instructional delievery.
The reading in the Hall text was a great enhancement to the reading in the Anthony text. The mention of how technology should be used as a tool to support instruction is a widespread philosophy that is shared among many teachers. The depth of this philosophy goes further to understand that the technology must be relevant, add depth to instruction and be engaging. The overall context states that technology must add value to a classroom setting and not just become frivalous in nature.
The implementation of technology in a classroom can add depth to any lesson if it is well thought out and planned by the teacher. The benefits for the students can be shown through them having a better understanding of the curriculum. Hence what they are being taught can be enhanced by technology.
It is great to hear that more schools are realizing the importance of integrating technology in the instruction. Amazingly students love technology so why not use a resource that would add value to their educational experience and to their personal lives.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is the way of the future so teachers must be trained on how to use technology in the classroom. This requires more than sitting students in front of a computer but teaching them how to use technology to improve their understanding as well as having fun and exploring the world around us. Technology in education is only meaningful unless everyone is taught how to make lesson plans that are technology based, and creatively adopt new strategies to increase student participation and cognitive abilities.
I agree with you on availability of technology for student and teacher use. When students have to hover around a computer screen to share the program, it can create problems. I have found students can work in groups on projects yet work on separate computers, Then they can save their parts of the PowerPoint to a jumpdrive and merge their work into one presentation. Problems arise when we have too many students or teachers trying to share the technology resources. However, we don't want to waste funds on technology that will not be used. Even when districts have piloted technology in some schools, the same software or hardware may not be utilized in another school in the district. Selection of appropriate technology is a challenge. It's great to read about the literacy initiative in your district! Incorporating technology to improve literacy seems to be a great focus!
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