blog entry 2 |
Presentation Technology |
Entry 2: Technology to Enhance Instruction
Integrating Instructional Technology Through different types of technology, students are more engaged and are enhancing their learning. Three types of instructional technology are described explaining how the technology is facilitated in the classroom to enhance instruction and how I will implement them in my future classroom. Pros and cons are given about instructional technology. Wired and wireless classrooms are discussed as well. Instructional technology is a leading proponent in engaging students in their learning to prepare them for their future in a technological world. Interactive Whiteboards Interactive whiteboards are a sight to be held in the classrooms. Teachers facilitate interactive whiteboards by connecting their laptops or computers to this technology and then the programs on the computers are projected on to the whiteboard. Many things interactive whiteboards do enhance instruction in the classroom. For example, one can write, erase, and control the mouse with a special pen, write over computer applications, websites, or videos, and produce lessons to display on the interactive whiteboards (Starkman, 2006). I will utilize the software my school has to develop lessons in which the students can interact with the board. I also will use the interactive whiteboard to display content from Journeys and Go Math to assist in teaching my students the curriculum developed by the district. Computers Another technology used in the classroom is the computer. Most classrooms contain at least one computer, but they can also have a classroom set of computers in which students are able to prepare projects, reports, and writing assignments on them. Computers are used to engage students and give teachers tools for teaching. The programs on the computers help make the subjects students are learning more interesting (Johnson, 2001). I will use computers in my classroom to let students take Accelerated Reading tests, to research information for writing assignments, and to enhance instruction with educational games. Language Arts, Science, Social Studies and Math are all content areas in which the computers would enhance student learning. iPads The technology of iPads in the classroom offers students a way to engage in what they are being taught by the classroom teacher. Thousands of educational apps are available on the iPad. This gives teachers opportunities to allow students to have active and collaborative learning experiences. “iPads according to students’ perceptions were found to enhance students learning and engagement with classroom activities facilitating students; collaboration between each other and their participation in classroom activities” (Mango, 2015, p. 56). I will use iPads in the classroom as an additional resource for students to improve on their knowledge of the materials being taught. The content areas I will enhance with technology by using the iPads will be Math and Language Arts. There are many educational apps in the areas of math and language arts that can be downloaded and used to enhance the students’ learning. Pros and Cons of using Technology to Facilitate Learning There are pros and cons of using technology to facilitate learning in the classroom. One of the pros is that it helps teachers develop lessons more thoroughly and it enhances the instruction. Teachers are able to prepare lessons from home with the interactive whiteboards or they can develop websites all of which will enhance student learning because the students can access resources at anytime. Another pro is that using technology engages the students’ learning. Students are excited to use the different types of technology in the classroom. They like being involved in their learning process. “Teachers claim when students are engaged in digital literacy activities, the students see these tools as exciting and unique, but often not as school work” (Saine, 2012, p. 74) Some of the cons of facilitating technology in the classroom are that teachers might get lazy and rely on technology to teach instead of interacting with the students. Another con of facilitating technology in the classroom is that substitute teachers may not know how to access or are afraid to use the technology. In addition, a con for technology in the classroom is if the internet fails or the technology fails to work. Teachers need to have a back up and be prepared in case of these drawbacks for facilitating technology. Technology will influence my classroom because I will use it to help deliver the curriculum. Students enjoy using interactive whiteboards, computers and iPads to enhance their learning. I will use clickers for the Active Inspire software to assist my students in practicing for math, spelling, and vocabulary. I will also use the clickers for assessment purposes. Incorporating technology in my classroom will help me become comfortable using it as a valuable teaching resource and I will be preparing my students to enter a world of fast moving and improving technology. Wired and Wireless Classrooms Before wireless classrooms, the technology was wired directly to a port within the computer. This meant that the computers were hooked directly to a phone line or a modem. Technology has improved and now wireless classrooms are available. This means that with a wireless service provider schools are able to network using a wide area network (WAN) which covers multiple schools or buildings (Gunter & Gunter, 2014). The pros of having a wireless classroom are that you can have classroom sets of computers, laptops, or tablets and each student is able to access the internet. A con of the wireless classroom is when too many individuals are accessing the internet; service may be slow or not even work. A con for having a wired classroom is that only a few computers can be used to access the internet. Most wired classrooms were only computer labs, now if the school has wireless technology then all classrooms have internet access. Having a wireless classroom will allow my students to use technology anywhere in the classroom and they can access internet for research and class projects. I will be able to provide fast and up-to-date information for my students pertaining to my lessons by having a wireless classroom. Conclusion Integrating instructional technology in the classroom is a benefit for students. It enhances the students’ learning and helps improve their overall education, preparing them for the real world. Interactive whiteboards, computers, and iPads are common forms of technology used in the classroom. These forms of technology are available because of wireless networks. Even though there are pros and cons about using technology, the pros seem to outweigh the cons. Technology in the classroom is what will lead students into the bright future of tomorrow. References: Gunter, G. A. & Gunter, R. E. (2014). Teachers discovering computers integrating technology in a changing world. Retrieved from http://gcumedia.com/digital-resources/cengage/2014/teachers-discovering-computers_integrating-technology-in-a-changing-world_ebook_8e.php Johnson, D. (2001). The cyber children have arrived. Futurist, 35(5), 14-15. Mango, O. (2015). iPAD USE AND STUDENT ENGAGEMENT IN THE CLASSROOM. Turkish Online Journal Of Educational Technology,14(1), 53-57. Saine, P. (2012). iPods, iPads, and the SMARTBoard: Transforming literacy instruction and student learning. New England Reading Association Journal, 47(2), 74-79. Starkman, N. (2006). The Wonders of Interactive Whiteboards. T H E Journal, 33(10), 36-38.
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