Implementing Technology into the classroom



Implementing Technology into the classroom

EDU 701

Luisa Hays

The implementation of technology in a typical classroom is where a leader struggles because of budget constraints. When leaders begin to put technology in the classroom they must decide when and where it is most beneficial in a short amount of time and follow the progress through the different areas from kindergarten to special needs, as well as identifying the areas that will benefit over time from the innovation of technology in the school.

My quest in the area of technology begins with an article written by Preston and Mowbray. Their research states that smart board technology should be integrated with science at the kindergarten level (Preston, Mowbray 2008). What is the smart board and why is it so important at the k5 level. It is an interactive white board that allows for web based resources for the whole class to see, video clips and interactive hands on activities. Smart boards provide a means of promoting visual observation skills and the development and particle of skills being an important outcome of science learning ( feasy, 2004). The key thing I can see for the 5-6 year olds is the fact that children’s excitement in demonstrating a skill or ‘ operating’ the smart board boasts their self-esteem and builds confidence in science and technology and aids them to work independently at a later time (Preston, Mowbray 2008).

A child’s excitement in science and technology can lead that student to a field of technology and science. With the reinforcement of the benefits of technology and the focus on specialized easy compact lessons that are easy for a teacher to use. The smart board keeps the attention span of the 5 and 6 year old. I can keep giving benefits but there are always disadvantages for everything.

The smart board could cost upward of 5K (Preston, Mowbray 2008). I will begin putting the smart board in the kindergarten room and the science class room. When funds are available I will add them to the other class rooms. Another disadvantage is that only 1 or 2 students can work on the smart board at a time. All other students must wait their turn by doing seat work or other projects. This can cause distractions and emotional turbulence if the teacher does not have good management skills. We want all students to feel that they are getting the best education possible and to not feel distracted or discouraged in any way. Technology can help us as educators provide for our students. This leads me to the next area I would like to discuss and that is AT “Assistive technology”

Whether you are at the beginning of your educational career or at the end of your journey as a student you should be given all the tools possible to succeed. Many students have special needs that may range from visual impairments to minor learning disabilities, no matter what the disability is, we need to work to implement AT. There always seems to be problems with implementing this process because of the numerous barriers and issues that exist in the school system. One barrier that exists is many people do not understand what AT is and the importance of implementing it. Start small is what the article advises. Use the basic approach which has three steps: 1. assert that AT is for every student with a disability. 2. Convince all administration that AT is essential. 3. Accept every free and low cost AT knowledge-developed opportunity (Croasdaile, 2010).

Of the three step process to begin with the essential focus for me will be to make sure I have the administration on board. I will need to have her support or I will not be able to do anything at my school. Croasdaile states, an administrator is your leader in your school and usually what they say is what everybody follows (Croasdaile 2010). Once everyone is on board administrator, teachers, school board training must take place. For a teacher to fully embrace AT and to completely understand their role they need be properly trained. There is web based training available for staff at no cost. This will help my facility be able to fund more equipment in the area of technology. I want to improve technology for my students but first I have to improve the technology skills of my teachers. It is ironic that to improve student technology teachers are also improving their literacy in technology as well.

Article number three ventures out into student opinions of classroom technology in the area of science and technology lessons. As a leader it is my job to make sure that students feel that they are getting the education that they deserve and feel they are being well educated. Issues discussed in this article can provide some ideas for educators to improve their teaching. (Murkat, Habib, Betul, 2010) When we hear the word technology and education we mostly think of computers but there are so many more forms of technology that can be used to help in teach our students in the classroom. Creating an effective learning environment with technology is and has been the challenge for most teachers. Harlen (2000) identifies three main aspects of the teacher’s role with technology: 1. setting up the learning environment, (2) organizing the classroom activities, (3) interacting with the students. I see the door swung wide open with the information highway because students have access to more information quicker and the information is up to date where as books are out dated. In general students also enjoy working with computers more than having to research information out of a book. The purpose of the article is to find student opinion of classroom technology of science and technology lessons.

The results of the article indicated that students in private schools that have access to computer and CT in S & T lessons have a positive perception no matter what their background may be. Students at state schools have a lower perception of CT in S & T lessons. Using computers in private schools increases the intelligibility of the lessons. Using computers in limited times in state schools can’t be a real positive effect on intelligibility of the lessons. (Murkat, Habib, Betul, 2010)

There is another key factor affecting the learning environment other than the information being presented to the students. That is the availability of computers. Computers carry a cost for schools. No matter what the cost is financial we should as leaders make sure the cost is not a student’s academic excellence.

As I end this journey through technology. I am sure their will be struggles with the implementation of smart boards into the science classroom from kindergarten through high school. There will be budget constraints as well as teachers that will be slow to follow the lead of others. I will make sure that all are well informed of all the new technological advancements so that they can embrace technology and not fear the advancements. All these new advancements are for the growth of our students to see them through their journey to graduation.

Reference:

Croasdaile, S. (2010). Take three steps to improve access to assistive technology

Preston, C., Mowbray,L. (2008) Use of SMART Boards for teaching, learning and assessment in kindergarten science, 54(2), 50-54.

Feasy, R. (2004) Thinking and Working scientifically, 44-87.

Murat, E., Habib, O., Betul, B., (2010) Students’ opinions on using classroom technology in science and technology lessons. The Turkish online Journal of Educational Technology, 9 (1), 165-174

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