Technology use vs. integration

By: Cassie Ringlespaugh

What does this mean?

• Technology Use: The use of electronic equipment

• Technology Integration: The productive use of technology within the classroom

Technology Possibilities

• Some people argue that schools are resistant now more than ever within changing the curriculum to include technology based learning.

Teacher’s Improvement

• It seems today teachers still are illiterate on computers, especially in small towns and elementary teaches. The teacher I student taught for had better luck having her first graders figure out the program. This is obviously not creating competitive technology-wise students.

Technology

• Teachers need to be trained in technology, so they may use it and apply teaching it to their students.

• Students need to be familiar with technology, to:» To apply for jobs» To be competitive students» To perform at jobs» To function as a higher lever citizen in society

• Teachers should use technology and integrate it into their lessons.

Educational Technology

The issue of education within the school is

controversial.

Some believe it is beneficial, while others

believe it hinders the educational system.

Which do you believe?

In schools, critics of educational technology usually…

• Point to budgetary concerns (John Rice).

• Time Constraints

• or a perceived lack of research supporting the effectiveness of technology on test scores. (John Rice).

Budgetary ConcernsBudgetary Concerns

• Many Critics believe that schools cannot afford to have the Many Critics believe that schools cannot afford to have the computers and other tools required to educate their students in computers and other tools required to educate their students in technology.technology.

• On average, Elementary through High Schools spend 17% of total On average, Elementary through High Schools spend 17% of total Budget on Technology Budget on Technology (According to Schoollibraryjournal.com)(According to Schoollibraryjournal.com)

• According to our nationwide survey of 1,571 media specialists, the According to our nationwide survey of 1,571 media specialists, the average budget for K–12 school libraries was $9,368 in 2004–2005average budget for K–12 school libraries was $9,368 in 2004–2005—that’s $6,340 less than reported just two years ago in “The —that’s $6,340 less than reported just two years ago in “The SLJSLJ Spending Survey.”Spending Survey.”

• Expense is a Expense is a majormajor issue of Technology in Schools issue of Technology in Schools

Time Constraints

•Many Critics believe there is simply not enough time throughout the year to include time on Technology.

•Teachers often already complain there is too much required curriculum and not enough time to teach all the information.

•Technology can take long periods of time to teach. This takes away from time within the regular class room.

lack of research supporting the effectiveness of technology on test scores…

•Many Critics believe there is simply not enough research on the effects of technology on a student

•There is limited access to research done in this subject

•Not enough experiments have found their way to the public eye

•The matter needs to be studied more, and published

Pro-Technology

• Beyond commerce, technology facilitates communication and creativity (Prensky)

• Technology Prepares Students for college and beyond

• Normal Society relies on technology for survival

• Some studies have shown grades improve through use of technology

• Technology can connect students to the world

• Technology often provokes enthusiasm in students about curriculum

Technology can create Enthusiasm

• It appears that students who write on a computer turn in longer and higher-quality assignments than those who compose by hand, even though it's still writing. A middle school principal in Maine (where all middle schoolers are supplied with computers) proclaims that the debate over handwriting is finally over -- all assignments must be keyboarded. You can mourn the passing of handwriting if you must; the kids certainly won't. If they are writing better and more detailed papers, yes, there has been progress. (Prensky)

• The use of computers allows students to write papers faster, therefore most likely the students have more time to put a stronger effort into their work.

• The use of computers allows students to revise work, without having to completely re-write work.

Special Students

• It can make lessons more enjoyable, especially for children who struggle to pay attention.

» Interactive whiteboards, power points, videos, wiki-pages, overhead projectors, and more

• Some programs are self paced. This can keep up with students who fly through lessons, or need a little more time.

• “This can be seen most dramatically in the ways that assistive technologies empower students with disabilities, allowing them to contribute in ways never before possible. It is increasingly clear that all students can benefit when technology is used intelligently to provide meaningful content and powerful tools for learning.” Dr. Hawkins in The world at Your Fingertips.

More…

• Emails create new ways for students to reach important people from far away. For example: authors of books they love; professors; experts; inventors, and so on.

• Students can use it as an easy way to research topics. (they should be taught this by their teachers!)

• Students can create online resumes, thus putting a foot ahead on the competition.

Enthusiasm Continued…• Enthusiasm also rises when students are allowed to use technology in

schools. (Rice)

• “When students are on their own time, they are often highly engaged in technology.” (Prensky)

• Students are excited by technology. (blogs, Web pages, instant messaging, e-mail and cell phones to communicate with friends, and video games. (Prensky)

• when students are allowed to access and learn with the latest technology (or even technology that is a few years old), it provides a link back to the real world and helps spark enthusiasm for learning. (Prensky)

Studies have shown grades improve through use of technology…(All According to Prensky in Adopt or Adapt)

• A few years ago at Rockdale High School in Texas, students scored near 100 percent passing rates in reading on the state exam in the first year of their one-to-one laptop initiative. Only one student failed the writing portion, and even then, just by a couple of points.

• Why?

• It was realized the students were spending large amounts of time reading and writing on their laptops.

• Literacy events are almost continuous when using a computer for academics.

• Every time students reference something on the Web, every time they check their e-mail, every time they create a presentation, they engage in literacy events.

• Reading and writing skills improve with exposure to literacy events, and the scores were there to prove it, even though there was no direct correlation with the laptops and the state exam.

College and Beyond

• “People certainly are putting courses, curricula, and lesson plans online. This trend is important” and is used all through college. (Prensky)

• Throughout college and the corporate world people use technology in writing, creating, submitting, and sharing work digitally on the computer via email or instant messaging (communicating and exchanging) (Rice)

• College uses technology to give criteria and a way to turn in homework assignments

• The corporate world is connected through technology and uses it in almost everything

• If students are not taught the skills they need in technology to operate within the corporate society, America can lose their edge in the competitive business world

Beliefs

• Technology can be useful to teach children, as well as provide assistance to them.

• In a technological world, it is so important to teach child to function in it.

• Programs like power points, word, google pages, wiki pages, interactive educational programs and so on can all assist teachers with students!

Beyond commerce, technology facilitates communication and creativity

• Through the computer students can find easier ways to express themselves.

• The use of computers is so important with children with disabilities.

• Computers have specialized programs to work with the students individual disabilities

• Computers are also non-judgmental, which creates a better environment for all students

• Computers work one-on-one with each student, which is beneficial for all

What do I think?• I believe the use of technology within schools is

an instrumental tool to preparing them for the real world.

• I believe that for America to stay competitive, we need to teach our youth technology

• The world is connected through technology and it is an undeniable part of society in everyday life

What do you think?

• My Opinion: These are very different concepts. A teacher may use the internet and computer to check their email, or other electronic communication forums.

• This does not mean that the child is learning from using this!

• You must integrate the technology into the everyday learning of the students, for students to learn it.

• “Students learn by doing, but not all doing is learning.” (Foundations of American Education, Hlebowtish. Page 109)

Credits• Marc, Prensky. "Adopt and Adapt." Edutopia Magazine. Dec. 2005. 25 Nov. 2006

<http://www.edutopia.org/magazine/ed1article.php?id=Art_1423&issue=dec_05 >.

• Rice, John W. "Edison's Prediction Revisited." Converge Magizine. 26 Nov. 2006 <http://www.convergemag.com/story.php?catid=231&storyid=101017>.