Technology in the Classroom Essay

Teacher perception of technology use in the classroom is based on their education, background and experience. Their level of understanding is directly correlated to student success in their classroom. The exploration of the influence that perception, confidence, teaching experience as well as age, gender, and race have on the success or failure of integration of technology in the classroom is inconsistent. Data on the connection between attitudes, and beliefs of technology use on

The first set of questions were used to see what technology teachers use and how often they use them. The seven different devices that were surveyed are computers, smart boards, mobile devices, tablets/iPads, digital cameras, clickers, and televisions/projectors. Each device was rated based on use either daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, or never. Using this data we can see which devices are used most and least by teachers. These charts also show us which devises teachers and students are most familiar with in the classroom. The most significant statistic from this first set of questions is that 91% of teachers use computers daily and weekly in the classroom (Fig.

The biggest problem with today’s education is how rapid technology is advancing. So rapid, in fact, that schools are attempting to keep up, but are sadly falling short. Teachers are being required to incorporate new technology into their everyday methods of teaching. The use of IPads or laptops in classrooms can be helpful to both teachers and students(edreform online classes)”. If a teacher is not overly familiar with the new devices, then the students will lose what little time they have to learn. As a teacher is attempting to fix technical problems in one class, the class that has a tech savvy teacher will be advancing far ahead. On the other hand, if a classroom is full of students who are very unfamiliar with the technology will have to be taught how to operate it, which wastes valuable time. In today’s society technology usage is so much more widespread than it was just five years ago. The new toys can allow schools to broaden their curriculum. Since most work can be done on a single device, kids can work at their own pace and potentially reach heights they could never reach with book, pen, and paper. The benefits of this new tech greatly outweigh the downsides. The biggest problem with technology in classrooms is their lack of use. So few schools have jumped on board with these programs, and therefore are holding their kids back. These products are readily available, but “the use of new technology

The results gathered were rather varied, however some common were identified. Many of the stakeholders indicated that they were unaware a school technology vision statement. Similarly, they expressed that they felt as though they were excluded from the process of creating the shared technology vision. Almost all of the participants that answered the survey felt that they had access to connectivity and devices whenever they needed. When it came to how confident they felt in utilizing and implementing these

McAllen school district in Texas recently spent twenty million dollars on I-pads and I-pods for students. The funding for the school district is coming from a combination of local funds, federal grants, and stimulus money. The schools in that area are considered some of the poorest in the nation(Ryan Holeywell). In schools around the world the students are starting to use technology in the classroom such as I-Pads, I-Phones, and other types of devices. Technology has changed Students day to day life, it has modified how and what students are taught negatively and positively.

Since 2010, I have inspired, coached, and mentored fellow educators in the purposeful use of technology to engage students and improve student achievement beginning with the first 1:1 mobile technology program, iEngage, at Aliso Elementary in the Saddleback Valley Unified School District. What began as simply having students record themselves reading aloud into iPods to develop reading fluency expanded into a tool used across all content areas to not only engage students but to facilitate active participation from all students all the time. Due to the success of iEngage in improving student achievement, Saddleback Valley expanded the program K-12 with funds from the ETT grant. Consequently, I, along with Principal Crystal Turner, was awarded Apple Distinguished Educator and the following year iEngage was honored as an Apple Distinguished District program. As the Instructional Technology Coordinator for the OCDE, I would continue to support, inspire, and motivate districts to use technology to enhance student engagement and improve student learning. Ensuring schools receive access to information and technology resources to create the learning environments necessary for our students to graduate with the skills to be competitive in a global workforce.

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).

Using technology in the classroom is a sensitive issue. It is the teacher?s responsibility to

First, teachers’ attitudes towards technology, positive or negative, have a strong impact on whether or not they use the technology available. A descriptive study done by Mueller, Wood, Willoughby, Ross, and Specht (2008) supports this notion. The researchers surveyed in-service teachers who did and did not integrate computers in their classrooms. The goal was to identify the variables that best discriminated between these two groups. This study’s sample included 185 elementary teachers and 204 secondary teachers representing 94 elementary schools and 16 secondary schools. Each participant was asked to complete a survey. On the survey there were the following subcategories: computer integration, comfort with computers, computer use, computer training, attitudes towards computers,

The data collected was from three different teachers each within three different socioeconomic status schools. Teacher A teaches kindergarten to third grade learning support at a middle socioeconomic status school. Teacher B teaches third grade at a high socioeconomic status school, and Teacher C teaches kindergarten at a low socioeconomic status school. When analyzing the research, it was determined that sixty-seven percent of teachers interviewed said that they personally use 3-5 hours of technology on a daily basis. This includes times when they are using technology with the students, as well as times when they are using it to send emails or look up information and ideas. Students are in school for 6 hours a day. Therefore, studies show that the resources available within the schools are being actively utilized. The data shows that technology use is primarily occurring more throughout the school day than it is in the homes. Within 14 hour day that students and teachers may be awake, approximately half of the day is involving technology of some sort. This means that we are integrating technology as an additional way of learning. However, it also means that we may be taking away from other learning styles that are already proven to work. Technology use can also take away from social skills and interactions.

This qualitative, narrative case study has two assumptions. First, the interview will accurately generate teachers’ experiences, views, effective or ineffective, in applying technology (e.g., iPads, laptops, tablets, computers, and any form of portable devices) as learning aids. Second, teacher participants will provide truthful responses to the in-depth, open-ended interview (See Appendix B).

Hennessy, Harrison, and Wamakote (2010) stressed that online teacher training has the greatest effects on teachers’ attitudes, skills, and confidence needed to infuse technology in the classroom effectively. However, effective change in teachers’ attitudes necessitates two central edicts using the social constructivism (SC) approach: First, teachers should be trained with wireless laptop technology. Second, the stakeholders need to make certain that all schools provide a purified setting according to Dewey’s SC philosophy. Providing a purified setting can ensure that teachers have the technological support system, and assistance to integrating wireless laptop technology effectively into their curriculum and instructional practices (Gritter, 2009).

The use of technology in schools has a great effect on not only students, but teachers as well. Today, we mostly think of technology as computers, but it is much more than that. In fact, one of the first technologies used in the classroom was the chalkboard.

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

There is a growing trend in the use of technology in the classroom. As a teacher, I am always looking for ways to use manipulatives in my lessons to increase meaning and authenticity for students. I would love to keep my students engaged, motivated and interactive in the classroom and still be able to get through the content each day. In order to achieve this, I need to have an arsenal of tools to draw from. That is why I agree with (Tataroglu & Erduran, 2010) as stated in the International Electronic Journal of Elementary Education (IEJEE) that “The use of technologies like IWBs in the classroom can provide teachers and students convenience and variety. “