Journal Entry #4

Journal Entry #4

Focus Question: How can teachers integrate technology into their work as educators?

Integrating technology depends on how the teacher builds it into all aspects of their work. A teacher can use technology for many different areas of their position. It is however up to the teacher how they do this. Using technology in the classroom is divided into three main areas:

1.       Inside the classroom teaching tools- The teacher uses technology to present academic material and create interactive experiences for the children in the classroom.

2.       Outside the classroom professional resources- This when the teacher uses technology for professional administrative work.

3.       Inside and outside the classroom- The teacher asks the students to use interactive technology inside the classroom and outside of school.

Of course, teacher mindset and availability of resources does play a part with integrating use of technology. If the teacher is not trained or isn’t comfortable with the use of new ideas and classroom changes they may not be willing to participate and if adequate materials are not available then it may be difficult to integrate such new technologies.

With technology integration teachers are no longer bound to a text book or to a prepackaged curriculum. They can utilize web tools, diagrams, graphs, digital media, and online games. They also have capability to monitor success and record keeping among students. I know that a lot of the teachers I work with regularly also utilize school-home communications through blogs or emails.

Computers have become a textbook, a library, a learning environment, a teaching tool, and an office accessible from almost anywhere.

Ultimately, I feel that teachers with the proper training, patience, and confidence would greatly benefit from a classroom infused with technology. I think that now locally our district is between inclusion and infusion of technology but is quickly changing. It would be interesting to see where our local teachers score on the integration rubric.

Tech Tool 4.1

I explored both the Edutopia and NETS-T websites listed in this teaching tool resource for integrating technology in the classroom. I found both to be excellent resources with valuable information and ideas of how we can infuse technology. Although it is true that technology can seem overwhelming if prepared and given the proper tools to use such as the websites listed here the transition should be virtually seamless. 

Summary

This chapter not only discussed how teachers must build technology into their classrooms but also shared different ways it may be incorporated even with few resources available. It’s not the number of computers you have its how you use them. This is especially true in socio-economic schools. Lack of resources just means that the teacher must be more creative. Whether the teacher chooses a rotation schedule, group work, or uses for classroom and administrative duties, it is all in how innovative she is to infuse technology. Some lessons can carry over into the home or personal devices too. This lesson also states that there is no real “cookie cutter” way to integrate technology.

Resources:
Franklin, T., Duran, M. & Kariuki, M. (2001). Mentoring Overcomes Barriers to Technology Integration. In J. Price et al. (Eds.), Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2001 (pp. 848-849). Chesapeake, VA: AACE.

Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010).Transforming learning with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon.