Assignment #1

Technology in Education

            Educational technology is the use of interactive technological devices for the purpose of engaging students in learning. The definition of educational technology as stated in Chapter 1 of the Teaching and Learning with Technology textbook is “any technology used by educators in support of the teaching and learning process” (Lever-Duffy & McDonald p. 5). This definition is similar to my personal definition because both describe the use of technology to promote the learning process. However they are different because I focused on the importance of engaging students in their learning, whereas the book specifies it as a support for teaching that encompasses the general idea of what educational technology is. The role of technology with teaching and learning differs from person to person.

            I personally believe that the role of technology in learning is the importance of giving students a visual and hands-on approach to learning new material. Technology plays a role in every subject whether it is English, Science or even Math. For example in math students can use different websites to practice math problems or study for tests. These websites interact with students and give them opportunities to manipulate different problems or shapes. The role of teaching with technology has a different approach.

            The role of technology in teaching is to actively engage students in what they are learning by providing them different learning strategies. For example every student learns differently so by teaching with technology I can create a lesson that is suited to meet every child’s unique learning styles. For students who are visual learners I can use projectors or PowerPoint so that students can see what is being taught. For those students who are audio learners I can use different technological devices talk to students and verbalize the new information being taught. Finally for those students who work best when they can interact with what they are learning about, I can introduce hands-on activities. For example in science when learning about different plants I can bring examples in so students can work with them. This will benefit not only the hands-on learner but also the visual and audio learner as well. Technology may be useful for these types of learners, but there are factors that encourage and discourage the use of technology in the classroom.

            Factors that encourage technology in the classroom are students with disabilities. Students with disabilities may require the use of technology to assist them in the learning process. For example students who cannot speak may require a device that they can input information into to then communicate. Another factor that encourages technology in the classroom is a student’s potential. All students should be given as many opportunities as possible to reach their potential. This means that if technology will assist them in this goal then they should be encouraged to use it. However often times there are factors that discourage the use of technology in the classroom.

             Technology can become discouraging if the technology is out of date and not useful. If the technology is not serving its purpose of helping students learn then this can become an issue in teaching. Another factor that can discourage the use of technology in the classroom is when the technology becomes expensive or teachers do not know how to use it. This takes away from the money that could be spent on other needed resources for the classroom. It also takes away teaching and learning time if the teacher does not know how to work the technology. Finally technology can become discouraging when it becomes hard to incorporate it into a lesson plan. Sometimes the use of a certain technological device does not fit the lesson topic.  In this case teachers should save that website or computer program for a different, more fitting topic. In my education I have been exposed to a variety of technology that will benefit me as a future teacher.

            My prior experiences with technology have been a combination of teaching and learning. At an early age I was exposed to such things as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. As a student I used these devices to create projects for class and write papers. I also have had experience using things such as Adobe Photoshop and Wiki. These devices allowed me to be creative when it came to creating digital images and interactive presentations. Technology was also a very big part of how I learned new information.

            Technology was a part of my everyday curriculum in middle and high school. Almost every teacher used a PowerPoint device to lecture from. Personally I did not feel that this was the best way to teach the information. When my teachers taught like this I was not being engaged; instead I was constantly writing trying to keep up with the material. I felt more engaged with my teachers when they knew their material and did hands on activities that tied it all together. Hands on activities are great ways for students to feel connected with what they are learning about. In my experience with teaching I have focused most lessons around getting students involved using interactive technology.

            The experiences I have had with technology as a teacher have varied. I have used different programs on the Ipad to help children learn the alphabet and their colors. The program used an interactive train to show students visually different letters and colors. On each train car a different letter would appear and a voice would say the name of the letter. The students would then have to repeat the letter. This allowed students to visually see what the letter looked like, but it also allowed them to hear what it sounded like. I have also seen technology used in classroom with smaller children helping them to develop their sensory motor skills. Using a touch screen on the Ipad I helped students to manipulate their fingers in order to correctly touch the objects on the screen.

            In the classroom I have also assisted teachers using the smart board and the projector screen. On these devices I wrote down instructions that I wanted my students to follow. By writing the directions on the projector I was able to make it the center of attention in the classroom. This also was more effective then writing it on the board because this way it would not accidently be erased. The projector was also a great way for students to see what I was doing when I was teaching math. I would write a problem on paper and it would be projected onto the board, then students could interact and engage in the work by writing on the board.                  

                  In conclusion educational technology is the use of interactive technological devices for the purpose of engaging students in learning. I hope that in my future career as a teacher I can effectively incorporate technology into my lessons. Students can gain so much by learning how to use technology at an early age. The sooner they are exposed to technology the better off they will be. A student’s ability to use technology effectively is a great tool for them to have and I hope to provide them with as many opportunities as possible to be successful using it.

References

Lever-Duffy, J., & McDonald, J. (2007). Teaching and learning with technology. (4th ed., p. 5). Boston: Pearson Education Inc.