Technology in K-12 Classrooms

How does technology correlate with instructional learning? What is technology in learning? How can I use technology in instruction? These questions were among a few I used to guide me in this Google search assignment. Given a broad assignment with no clear cut direction my paper should begin I looked to Google with a lot of random key phrases and found a quote. In this paper I intend to touch on several topics being the need for professional developments for technology resources, new text adaptions at my school, and my views on technology.

“The definition of student achievement must be broadened to include the 21st century skills that will be required for students to thrive in the future (CEO Forum on Education and Technology, 2003).” The research article 21^st Century Skills (2003) maintains that a hands-on interactive education deepens learning and understanding. That being said technology today allows students both a hands-on and interactive approach in all subject areas. TEA has recently added additional supporting standards or TEKS. These standards address student understanding but also technology efficiency our students should be able to show competencies in at all grade levels and content areas.

With the need for technological competencies is the need for teachers who are also proficient in implementation. As the youngest teacher on my campus, I see a need for professional developments that center around the use of technologies that are in the classroom for teachers. I find that a lot of my seniors are handed laptops with the latest of Microsoft Office, SmartBoard’s, projectors, and other various equipment but are not trained on uses and given ways to implement them within their classroom.  As a new teacher I was given a classroom with five computers, and two laptops. I did not have a SmartBoard and projector. I brought this up at a faculty meeting and was amazed at the fact that my colleagues were willing to hand over theirs because they did not use them and did not know how to use them.

With the new textbook adoptions this year a lot of interactive learning is offered to the students in Mathematics, Reading, and Science subject areas. I found this to be an added bonus as with subject areas such as Science without working labs and resources content is hard to reinforce without visual aids and materials. Through technology my students are able to have virtual labs that reinforce content through experimental designs, and interactive avatars. As many of my students have internet access at home rather through a computer or cell phone my students are logging in from home.

“Members of this generation expect to actively participate in and through their media, hence the decrease in time spent by teens in viewing television and the corresponding increase in time spent on computers, gaming, and the Internet (21^st Century Skills, 2003)” (pg.24) Learning is no longer about note taking but rather the experiences and conclusions drawn. These are the take-a-way items a learner is likely to recall when asked a question about a specific subject.

Through my internet search and chapter reading I found that my definition of technology changed. When first asked what I believe technology to be I would say PowerPoints, Excel, Access, Internet Searches, all things Microsoft. However my definition or view has broadened to include all things hands on in learning as technological pieces. I underestimated the need or power of a student actually having a thermometer, calculator, scales, and things of that sort too making a connection as opposed to simple visual aids. 

References

Burkhardt, G., Monsour, M., Valdez, G., Gunn, C., Dawson, M., Lemke, C., ... Martin, C. (2003). 21st Century Skills: Litteracy in the Digital Age. EnGuage, 1-88.

Committee on Information Technology Literacy & National Research Council. (1999).Being fluent with information technology. Washington, DC: National Academy Press. Retrieved April 14, 2003, from http://www.nap.edu/html/beingfluent/notice.html

Committee on Workforce Needs in Information Technology. (2001). Building a workforce for the information economy. Washington, DC: National Academy Press. Retrieved April 11, 2003, from http://books.nap.edu/html/building_workforce