Advanced Knowledge of Technology in the Classroom

Teachers can use technology within the classroom to assist with providing instructional guidance and education to students. However, the use of technology in the classroom has both its advantages and

Incorporating technology in the classroom is a leading trend among educators in the 21st century. Teacher use classroom websites, technology tools, and online web assessments to keep parents and students informed, improve instruction, and individualize learning. Using technology to support communication helps keep both students and parents informed on what is happening in the classroom and the students’ academic progress. Integrating technology in the classroom helps increase student engagement and participation. Students use technology tools to help reinforce instruction and teachers may use it as a form of remediation. Technology can also help with differentiating instruction with the use of online assessments. Incorporating technology in the classroom can increase students’ success in the classroom and beyond.

With the capabilities and wide-spread availability of technology, it is not uncommon to use electronic machines and computers in our everyday lives. Whether it is a business, government, hospital, or car repair shop, people utilize technology to make their jobs more effective, efficient, and enjoyable. One societal institution where the incorporation of technology seems most beneficial is in our schools, especially in K-12. Through the use of technology, education is made more accessible, versatile, engaging, and easier for both students and teachers.

This paper is a personal technology plan that includes my personal philosophy on integrating technology in the classroom as well as my professional goals concerning technology in the classroom. My Mission and Vision Statement are included as well as a plan for communications, integrating technology, software to support assessment, and technology ethics for a strong guideline in the classroom. Although this plan will need to be revised as advances in technology are made this is strong ground work that I can build on as a professional educator. Using this plan I can ensure that my students are using the latest

In the articles “What Is The Future Of Technology In Education?” by Matt Britland and “New Class(room) War: Teacher vs Technology” by Samuel G. Freedman, two different viewpoints are expressed toward technology integration education. The authors show the implications of technology on the attitudes of teachers and students. Britland and Freedman agree that technology and theoretical framework are two inseparable facets but propose different solutions to the actions that should be taken to result in pedagogical expertise.

In general, most K–12 academic settings today utilizes technology for educational and non-academic use (Helms, 2014). Researchers agree that budgeting can share a significant impact on classroom technology integration because many schools do not have the funds to pay for teacher training and all of the cost associated with maintaining technology resources (Blackwell, 2014; Chou et al., 2012; Helms, 2014). The lack of adequate technology training, support and funding can also influence teachers’ attitudes (Kirkwood et al, 2014). A gap appears to exit in empowering teachers with technology skills to implement an interactive learning experience for all learning styles (Helms, 2014).

Acceptance among teacher has been a key factor in successful or unsuccessful technology implementation. Historically, the structure of the American education system has been resistant to any kind of change (Collins & Halverson, 2009). According to Blackwell, Lauricella, and Wartella (2014) teachers with more teaching experience have less favorable attitudes towards technology and use technology less often than teachers with less experience. Districts are making efforts to provide technology for students. The problem that McDermott and Murray (2000) found was despite access to technology, students and teachers were not using it. This could be attributed to many different factors.

Through surveys and interviews data related to various technology tools and ways of integrating technology in classrooms will be collected. The data will be validated by the intern through some classroom observations. The collected and observed data will then be analyzed and the summary will be presented to the staff during a faculty meeting. Staff will also be trained on what it means of integrating technology into every day teaching.

According to Young (2014), an effective learning environment is “an environment [that] provides relevant content, clear learning goals and feedback, opportunities to build social skills, and strategies to help students succeed”. Arbaugh (2000) stated that “instructor(s) effort to create an interactive classroom environment” was one of the most important factors in a classroom environment. Other important aspects to consider for online higher education classes are how difficult the ‘software course’ is, the flexibility of the classroom environment online, and occasionally ‘technological sophistication’ is required for ultimate classroom efficacy (Arbaugh, 2000). In an effective classroom environment, an interesting “two parallel process” takes place: there is a transformation in the students into active reflective learners, while both the students and teachers, through engaging more with technology, become better digital citizens (Office of Academic Planning and Assessment, n.d), thus this a component that online classroom environments should try to emulate to reach their effective potential. Essentially, the accessibility of online classroom, frequency of classes, consistency of curriculum with digital resources, and pedagogy are some of the most critical aspects found in effective classroom environments (Office of Academic Planning and Assessment, n.d; Allan and Clarke, 2007; Arbaugh, 2000). Moreover, a study conducted by the University of Alberta (Garrison, D., Anderson, T. & Archer, W.; 1999) found that there are “three elements essential to an education transaction”: cognitive presence, social presence, and teach presence. Furthermore, Allan and Clarke (2007) stated that the “most conducive” learning environments include the following three: the “skill oriented outcomes” that are expected of

In this article, the author discusses the benefits of using technology in the classroom and how the use of technology can increase student tests scores. The objective of the study was to answer the following two questions: How much of a difference would a classroom with technology accessibility affect state-mandated test scores and would student motivation and behavior change if they were able to readily use technology? As the author mentioned in the article, many studies have shown that schools that have created a technology rich atmosphere for their students have been shown positive results. The use of technology has helped teachers as well by making classroom instruction a more individualized experience for the pupils. Legislation in 2001, No Child Left Behind(NCLB 2001) introduced the “Enhancing Education Through Technology Act of 2001” (US Department of Education, 2001) emphasized the implementation of technology in schools with children that came from lower socio-economic households and targeted “at risk” students. Many teachers were interviewed and observed working with their students using technology and it was concluded that the use of computers and other technology was necessary, because not only did it assist teachers by helping them develop better content knowledge, create more interesting lessons, and support them with problem solving, it helped motivate the students to learn, alleviated behavioral issues, and students score higher in state-mandated test.

Thesis Statement: The author elicits the idea that technology integrated into the classroom in many ways and forms regardless of financial restraints on districts is beneficial to the

Across the United State, large sums of money are invested to integrate new technologies in schools (Al-Zaidiyeen, Mei & Fook, 2010). Data suggest that educational technology (ET) expense will continue to rise at a steady pace (Johnstone & Poulin, 2010). Schools tend to lack an understanding of important factors that improve the use and adoption of ET in the classroom. Urban schools in particular have worked to improve access to technology in the classroom by closing the digital divided. However, as Peggy Ertmer and Anne Ottenbreit-Leftwich (2010) suggest, ET is not being adopted or used to support the kind of instruction that is required to help students in urban schools. Ertmer and Ottenbreit-Leftwich, suggest that teacher mindset must change

With the integration of technology, students get direct, individualized instruction from the computer. This form of supplemental teaching allows them to engage with the information at times that are most convenient for them and helps them become more self-directed in the learning process. It also gives the teacher more time to accomplish classroom objectives, while freeing them up to help the students who might be struggling with certain lessons.

As we navigate through the 21st century, technology in the classroom is becoming further predominant. iPads are replacing our textbooks, and we can research any desired topic on our smartphones. The impact that technology has had on today’s schools has been utterly momentous. Educators have now seen firsthand the numerous benefits of technology in the classroom. According to a study by IT Trade Association CompTIA, around 75 percent of educators have come to the conclusion that technology has a positive impact on the education process. Educators have also recognized the significance of developing these technological skills in students so they will be prepared to enter the workforce after they graduate (Cox). By incorporating technology in the classroom, teachers are setting our students up for a successful life outside of school. The increase of technology has even changed how teachers teach along with how

Technology is changing every aspect in our lives, even the way we learn. Online classes are a rapidly growing trend it today’s society. Online classes are a cost-effective substitute for traditional courses and more convenient for many, so more schools and universities are offering this option. Due to the increase in online course enrollment, people are questioning if students truly learn something from online classes because it’s not a traditional learning environment. Online classes are just, if not more, effective as traditional classes because grades have increased and online discussions provide students with the chance to interact through networking while earning a degree for less than what it would cost to enroll at the same university.