Application Instruction Through Technology Integration

The advent of modern technology and its integration with the education systems has opened up many possibilities, and forced educational practitioners to rethink and restructure the content, pedagogical tools, and methods of delivery. As a result, the educational system has evolved continually, and at the same time opening up new and countless opportunities. This has definitely captured the imagination of many students, researchers, and professionals. The integration of technology with education has brought about phenomenal opportunities as well as radical changes to the educational sector. Examples include the use of digital pedagogy, computer-aided instruction (CAI), distance or open learning, virtual universities, computer-based online testing, digital libraries, and so on.

With developments in technology growing exponentially, teachers must show students how to think critically and problem solve, using factual information as a primary resource. By mastering these skills, students become prepared for their college and careers, which will most likely involve some form of technology that has not yet been invented. This will influence many of the decisions I make as a teacher. Instead of assigning a reading passage and then comprehension questions to answer after, I can encourage students to discuss what they read and make connections to their own lives, research a topic for different perspectives or deeper details, or give students opportunities to present what they know to their peers and me in creative ways.

al. 2014. p.451). By using questions, it helps engage the students and makes them think about the topic and then share the ideas that they have with the class. It also is important to increase the wait time to let all students think of ideas (Ornstein et. al. 2014. p.451). This allows all students to be active in the classroom. Mrs. Z used this effectively in her classroom.

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

This artifact is a virtual quiz using Socrative.com. I created a ten question quiz about animal adaptation that is appropriate for 3rd graders. With the creation of this quiz, I utilize the tools presented by Socrative. I had family members take the quiz in teacher mode where I was able to control the pace of the quiz and in student mode where they were able to take the quiz at their own pace. Also, I utilized the excel results to determine the effectiveness of the quiz. This artifact shows that I can “address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools and resources.”

Course content and technology connect in a variety of ways. The Common Core Standards focus on what students need to be able to do by providing standards to help students reach college and career readiness by 12th grade. Students that are college and career ready in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language are able to demonstrate independence and use technology and digital media strategically and capably. However, it is up to the teachers how they want their students to meet these standards. As long as students are able to meet the standards, it is the teacher’s choice how they teach it. Therefore, teaching in the 21st century requires educators to connect content through the effective use of technology in their instruction.

With the explosion of technological advances in the 21st century comes the increased need for the incorporation of technology in the educational field. The classrooms in America can all benefit from the use of technology to increase the understanding of academic content whether in the general education or special education setting.

The first artifact I chose to include for Assessment for Administration and Instruction is the use of Plickers. Plickers is a way to collect data for a formative assessment from students without each student needing their own device. On the Plickers website, I printed out a set of 20 Plickers. Each Plicker is different, and each student in the class is assigned to a Plicker. When using Plickers in the classroom, a multiple choice or true/false question is projected on the board. Students hold up their Plicker with the letter they think is correct at the top of the page. Since all Plickers are different, students cannot see what answer their classmate is give. Once students hold up their Plicker, the teacher can scan the room, I used my iPhone

I teach in a computer lab and incorporate technology in the classroom. I use a supplemental online program by Pearson Education, Math Lab Plus (MLP), to reinforce the material. The program has an online discussion component. To foster a sense of community in the classroom, the first assignment I post is for students to write a brief bio about themselves, including their goals and aspirations for taking the course. I respond to each entry to make sure students know they are seen and heard and that I care about their success. As part of their participation grade, students are required to respond to two other students in the course. This helps them recognize they are part of a community of learners and not just another student lost in the crowd. Students are placed in cooperative learning groups where they work with a partner to improve their understanding of different math concepts.

During EdTech 202 and other educational class field experience requirements, I discovered how technology has influenced the classroom with the use of Smartboards or similar devices. The use of Smartboard technology would be the center point in my classroom activities due to the versatility that it can provide. The Smartboard is able to aid in demonstrating class lessons and record the students’ responses via handheld devices: recording statistics on their answers and how long it took to respond. Students being able to interface with this piece of technology would enable better participation with class activities with the class easing the stress of answering questions in front of the class like the old days.

Technology gives us many affordances in today's world. One of them is access to high-quality, diagnostic curricular tools. We have access to tools that can assess students on their own academic levels and move then on appropriately with content. Many of these tools are created like gaming environments that we know are very appealing and motivating to our students. Many schools are using these tools to create a hybrid-learning environment. The idea of hybrid learning is using the technology tools as another teacher in the room and to engage with the content delivered by the technology in different ways than what is delivered by the teacher in the classroom. (Staker & Horn, 2012 p. 3) The teacher is then free to differentiate learning for small group more targeted instruction based on their personal learning trajectory. Students are given constant and corrective feedback, just like in gaming, about their

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

The education world has been greatly influenced by rapidly changing technology and the increasing availability of information. Schools have advanced by leaps and bounds when it comes to incorporating technology into the learning environment, however, many more advances need to be made. In all areas of the country, educators are trying to help students keep up with technology, but there are more changes that are essential for preparing the next generation for the future.

As university professors are being presented with new types of students, there is a call to integrate advanced technology into their course design, and ultimately, educators must lead the way and use the technology in a fashion that positively aids their students: “technology should be used with the needs of the learners in mind and with the goal of improving student learning as the focus” (Russo et al. 2014). If this idea is implemented and acknowledged correctly, then many advantages can arise that enhance student learning in university classrooms. The first benefit of instructors introducing advanced technology into their teaching is that technology connects with students, which ultimately arouses their interest because technology as a whole is a relevant and important part of student’s lives. When students are interested and engaged in the class material they become motivated to pay attention and focus on what they are being taught, which leads to an improved retention rate of information. This relates to the DVD that West, Pudsey and Dunk-West created for teacher to give to their students to work within their learning, and they found that it “easily assimilates into their everyday life world” (2010). Another advantage is that the use of technology supports collaboration skills within students. Erin Murphy (2010) conducted an experiment centering around educators use of Audience Response Systems, commonly

According to the faculty, the system “Makes students want to give answers”., thus significantly increasing participation. Moreover, students who want to study will study, no matter how much entertainment was available.