Benefits of Implementing Technology in the Classroom
Technology is becoming a part of our lives more and more every day and can easily be integrated into the classroom setting. As the world, around us becomes more digitized, it is important for our students to be aware of how to use technology appropriately, gain important skills to thrive in our technological society, and be able to showcase their knowledge and understanding through multiple ways. Integrating technology into our classrooms allow for our students to respond in different ways and truly show their understanding. Some of our students may have the common allergy to pencils or paper, so why not let them showcase their knowledge a different way? If students are writing a story and have all of these ideas but can not put them on paper, use a recording device or Google Read and Write so students can get their stories out and then go through the editing process after Not only does technology allow for educators to provide students to showcase their knowledge in different ways, but it also allows for students to create and develop a deeper, more meaningful connection with new content. Through integrating technology, I have seen students be able to learn and understand more by researching and finding the information themselves then having myself standing at the front of the classroom providing all of the information. It is important for educators to understand that there is a time and a place for technology to be implemented into the classroom and should not be forced into the classroom. Technology should naturally enhance curriculum for all students and if we are integrating technology for the sake of integrating it, then we are defeating the purpose( Armstrong, 2015). Everyone’s path to integrating technology in their classrooms may be different. The purpose of this website is to provide a resource for educators to see different types of technology they can incorporate into their teaching practices and classrooms.
How to address the challenges that Educators may face?
In this section, I have included challenges that educators may face when trying to incorporate technology. However, I have also included a reason for why this could be a challenge and solution to the problem or how can avoid it. A challenge for schools to integrate new technology is that it can be very expensive tool for a school to provide for their students, especially to go one-to-one. However, there are many ways to integrate technology through a computer lab, or through having a few devices for a large class. Students can use technology to work on their collaboration skills and use one device as a collective, or could use plicker cards while the teacher only needs technology. (2013)
Educators may lack the professional development to integrate the technology and so educators may feel unprepared and overwhelmed to implement new technology into their classrooms. Implementing change can be challenging for teachers, especially when they are not confident with their technology. There are many PD sessions that are available for teachers to take part in to develop their understanding. (Nagel, 2013)
The view that technology can be more of a distraction rather than an effective learning tool. There are tools that can be downloaded onto a device where teachers can monitor what students are doing at all times. An example of this type of technology is: Netop Vision Teacher (2016).