As the traditional classroom has been evolving the educational landscape has also been altered with technology advancement over the years. Today we learn through using various teaching methods, as we have come to rely more on technology to enhance our learning experience rather than doing the traditional method of just sitting in the classroom and having the teacher be the sage on the stage.
In earlier times, the acquisition and spreading of knowledge was not used to improve society. Instead, it was used to have control and to exclude certain groups. It may have been agreed that there needed to be a change in the way that the education system was set up. In her essay, “Project Classroom Makeover”, Cathy Davidson discusses how the “one size fits all” model of learning hinders students from learning in a new and modernized way. She suggests the notion that using technology to teach and learn can be effective in many ways. Davidson shows that using technology presents the opportunity for a traditional classroom to become more inclusive and creative. The “democratization of knowledge” is the improvement and modernization of how information is taught and learned. Having a modernized and advanced learning system is a vital point for students because they gain insight and experience with what is considered a society dominated by advanced technology. Since technology has become a dominant resource in the 21st century, it should be used as a teaching tool in order to produce educational, professional and overall success.
Through these technological advances in the classroom, students will be able to engage more in the curriculum they are learning. Students will have what is known as an active form of education in which students can cooperate, and where combined intellect will become the centerpiece of instruction. (Jo, 2015)
Technology use and technology centered classrooms can help prepare students for future jobs and skills necessary to live in the 21st century. “The creation of 21st century classrooms has provided opportunities for students to use various forms of technology tools to collect information, and connect to one another as well as other students throughout the world” (Keengwe, Schnellert, & Mills, 2012, p. 138). The “real-world” experiences where technology is provided can help students be prepared for their future. It is difficult to emphasize to students the need to learn irrelevant information when they could be prepared with critical
Technology of the past 20 years has become a focal point of teaching and learning. As a teacher, it is my job to facilitate the learning for an individual by creating an environment that not only conducive for learning, but also places the child in a position to discover and learn them for themselves. Technology has given teachers to opportunity to take learning beyond the classroom, and has begun to reshape their role in the learning process.
Currently, educators are faced with the controversy of reaching all learners. It is the incumbency of educators to master differentiating instruction to create a possibility for all learners to grow. Technology is a great resource to keep students engaged and motivated. It prepares them for their future, yet reaches the diversity of learning styles.
technological advances, versus someone born with a proverbial digital spoon in their mouth. College campuses across the county are crawling with both groups of people. There is no denying that modern technology has benefited the lives of most students and professors alike, but has this gap of understanding been acknowledged? In the article “Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants” by David Prensky, the author encapsulates the importance of bridging the gap between professors who prefer “old school” techniques, and modern students who seek immediate gratification and new challenges through the learning process. Prensky logically articulates the generational differences, the timeless core curriculum necessary for learning, and ways for educators and students alike to help modernize and improve the overall classroom experience.
Technology can be found in every classroom of schools today and continues to grow as the field of technology continues to advance. School age children today know more about technology than most middle-aged adults because they have been exposed to it from such an early age. We live in the technology age and it’s clear that technology is here to stay and has permeated every area of our lives including home, work and leisure. Because of this, educators and school staff have been tech-savvy and must continue to keep up with the technological advances in order to present as competent to the student body. Technology has impacted the way our students learn and has provided avenues of learning to disabled students that they didn’t have in the past and has provided teaching staff with a multitude of resources and diversity in class activities to aid in teaching (Pearson, 2010). Without a doubt, technology will continue to impact our educational system as new technologies emerge and our country competes to keep up with a new globalized economy. Schools will implement these technologies into the
The tools used for mainstream education in America are, at an ever increasing rate, shifting from physical to digital. Schools across the nation have spent the last decade integrating technology into education in an attempt to make learning more engaging for students. As schools join the charge for digital instruction they must heavily evaluate their motives, the realistic applications of new technology, and the consequences it may have on their students.
The 21st century has brought about an age of increasing technological advances and accessibility of resources. There is absolutely no doubt that technology has made it easier to access endless resources. You can find answers to both simple and complex questions in seconds. There are informational databases that have cause to be extremely helpful when researching a particular topic of interest. Due to the countless opportunities that technology supplies, schools have been implementing new curriculums, which enforce the use of technology for all students. Although, the question remains, how is the use of technology impacting progress in classrooms, and what will happen as technology
In the 21st century, students must be adept in new literacies and technology. Teachers, educators, and parents have a responsibility to teach students the skills they need to become proficient in these areas. Therefore, educators should find engaging ways to incorporate the use of technology into the curriculum. Parents are also mentioned because outside of the classroom, they have an obligation and responsibility to interact and observe how technology is being used.
In the article, “Technology Instruction: Fixing the Disconnect,” the authors state that schools that do not adapt to teaching with these new technologies that surround students outside of the classroom reflect “a decline in school’s relevancy to students’ futures” (Larson, Kuhn, Collins, Balthazor, Ribble & Miller, 2009, p. 55). In order to prepare teachers to meet the needs of today’s students, schools need to provide teachers with support from a technology specialist who also understands “the art of teaching” and how to transform curriculum with technology (p. 56). Teachers need to not only learn how to use the technology but also be willing to rethink how they teach and manage the classroom (p. 57). Allan Collins
It is crucial that students are not just being educated in only one way. Each child is different; as a result, learning styles should be versatile and open to new strategies. By learning to use technology correctly, teachers are preparing themselves, and the students for the future by developing certain skills that will be essential in the 21st century. Besides developing the students’ technology skills, students will
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.