Applying Technology Successfully in the Classroom

Today people live day-to-day incorporating their work, play, and down time with technology.  Many adults e-mail, text, listen to music, or surf the internet through a computer or handheld devices, however, adults did not grow up with these devices and therefore, had to learn how to use them, usually not to their full potential.  Children today grasp technology at a very young age, which is why it is important for educators to understand and learn how to use technology most effectively.

Many teachers assign classroom projects that are often delivered and presented using poster board, markers, and a type out page. The students then proceed nervously while standing in front of their peers. The students and the teachers often wanted more from the project, but the problem lies with the lack of computer skills or technical knowledge from the teacher. Campus or district administrators should improve teacher’s technical understandings through professional developments that emphasize on how to create lessons that allow the students to actively learn and present amazing and engaging projects. Research from the Department of Education reported that “technology use allows many more students to be actively thinking about information, making choices, and executing skills than is typical in teacher-led lessons. Moreover, when technology is used as a tool to support students in performing authentic tasks, the students are in the position of defining their goals, making design decisions, and evaluating their progress.” (Singh, 2000). Click here for more information. School administrators would see a fundamental change in student learning by educating teachers through professional development that taught how to create lessons that involve high student interest and rigor through computers.

However, informative technical professional development often lacks the methods on how teachers can create lessons that allow for student led learning. Equipping teachers with the knowledge on how to best correctly use technology in the classrooms have shown promising results. Margaret Honey from the Center for Children and Technology discovered that lessons that incorporate computers must include “active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connections to real-world contexts” to successfully enhance student learning. (Honey, 2005).  However, Margaret Honey reports that “use of technology is more effective as a learning tool when embedded in a broader education reform movement that includes improvements in teacher training, curriculum, student assessment, and a school's capacity for change.” (Honey, 2005). Click here for more information. Profession development will only be successful if the entire teaching staff of the school or district not only understands the uses of technology but embraces technology within the classrooms.  

Districts and campuses that do embrace professional development that guides teachers to create lessons that include technology have seen great strides in student learning. Studies from an El Paso Texas middle school have shown “that computer-trained teachers maintain classrooms that score higher in math than their peers who did not have such training” (Valenzuela, 2004). It was also noted that “when teachers have a positive attitude about using technology, they often excite students’ interest in technology as well”. (Valenzuela, 2004). Click here for more information. Susie Valenzuela’s research exposes while it is crucial for teachers to be trained on effective ways to use technology, teachers and schools also must change their attitudes on the changing world that they live in in order to educate students at their utmost potential.

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Applying technology successfully in the classroom from Kingjames121

References

Honey, M. (2005). Critical Issue: Using Technology to Improve Student Achievement. Critical Issue: Using Technology to Improve Student Achievement. Retrieved June 7, 2014, from http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te800.htm

Singh, R., & Means, B. (2000). Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students. Archived: Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students. Retrieved June 7, 2014, from http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/effectsstudents.html

Valenzuela, S. (2014, January 1). Technology's Effect on Education . Technology's Effect on Education. Retrieved June 7, 2014, from http://www.dominicanu.com/masters-in-education-resources/technology-effect-on-education/