The Role of Technology in Large Scale Improvement of Student Learning

In the schools, “Technology demonstrates daily its practical value in classroom instruction, teacher and student research, improved school design and operation, increasing student interest and teacher scope, and interlinking the school and the globe” (Nelson, Palonsky, & McCarthy, 2013, p. 280). Hardly anyone uses chalkboards and textbook anymore, and teenagers, better known as “screenagers”, have a unique relationship with technology with or without it in the classroom.

Education is a constantly changing aspect of every individual’s life, and it will never stop transforming. The format that a student learns has drastically changed over time, and continues to morph every year with new standards and new technology. The idea of utilizing technology in the classroom is a controversial one for many reasons. Some argue that it is too costly and ineffective to justify. While many people argue that the use of technology in the classroom is too expensive, offers an unneeded distraction, and is ineffective for the student, there are many positive factors that technology can have such as improving the lives of students with learning disabilities, all-access to educators, improving the damaged school system, and

Technology Integration—“Learners will be able to select and use applicable technology to enhance learning experiences.”(COE-GCU Framework,2011)

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 teachers in the video "An Introduction to Technology Integration" seemed really excited about the opportunity for technology integration in their classes. They went as far as saying that it could fundamentally transform a classroom and what you can do in it. One teacher suggested that if you are using the tools you have as well as you can then you are integrating technology. Our students today are creating using digital tools and we have become more like facilitators than a traditional teacher.

“By 2009, 97% of classrooms had one or more computers, and 93% of classroom computers had Internet access. For every 5 students, there was one computer. Instructors stated that 40% of students used computers, often in their educational methods, in addition to interactive whiteboards and digital cameras”(Educational technology). The country is on the threshold of the most radical change in American education in over a century. It is clear that technology is increasing and is now woven through education as well.

The questionnaire addresses the difficulty faced by teachers in classroom when using technology based on participant’s response; some teachers feel intimidated in using technology and would rather opt for a low tech than a higher tech to teach pupils. This can be said to be due to lack of training or knowledge can make teachers less confident to make technology a priority to teach. However, with 8% of respondents stating that technology is “Not at all significant”, it can only be assumed that the technologies are either incompatible with the pupil’s profile, or have been incorrectly

I will be using the elementary school scenario for a fifth grade mixed level classroom (special education and regular education) in my discussion for this task.

Technology is an ever changing feature in education. In order for technology to be effective there are many things that need to coordinate together. I will discuss some the major topics of integrating technology into classrooms. I will also have some insight into how schools have changed over the years and what I see now in the classroom.

Technology has significantly evolved within the past decade. There are many users who are eager to explore all the new devices, which have slowly worked their way into the classrooms of students in America. “In 1994 the Educate America Act was adopted; this Act authorized state planning for improving student achievement through integration of technology into the curriculum” (Goddard, 2002, p.19). Almost two decades later in 2010, the Obama Administration announced The National Education Technology Plan.

A grant has been funded for an additional 5 years. The grant will be used to provide various types of technology to enhance student learning across the curriculum & grade levels. It will include portable devices, cloud computing, web-based applications, & personal & professional productivity.

The ability to integrate technology into an organization depends on the employee’s practices, values, and beliefs. It also depends on their ability to learn how to use the technology and willingness to implement the technology. I believe that school leaders should consider integrating technology into an organization in a slow and methodical manner in order to help employees understand the new procedures and give them the opportunity to adapt.

Schools, teachers, principals and parents are always looking for new and innovative ways for students learning to be successful, engaging, at the same time provide high quality teaching and learning. Technology is becoming more apparent in the 20th century, with schools all over Australia and the world attempting to incorporate technology into classrooms today to provide a high quality of teaching and learning. Disterer, Kleiner, 2013 talk about the benefit of Bringing your own device (BYOD) is the fact that you can use it “Anything, Anywhere, Anytime” with students and teachers having the convenience of not having to constantly save on USB devices and keep switching, with their own device making it

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.