Why Integrate Technology into the Curriculum?: The Reasons Are Many

"Today's students are very skilled in the latest and greatest form of technology. Whether it be the computer, digital cameras, cell phones or Ipods."

Thanks, but whose students, may I ask?

"Effective technology integration has occurred when technology is routine and supports curricular goals"

Thanks but technology is routine to who?

Agree...agree. Of course I want to agree with you and the rest in this discussion forum. "When used effective..." may I know what do you mean by that? Are you implying that technology:

1. is used to motivate learning which was not previously there.
2. is used to solve learning problems that non-technological methods cannot.
3. is used because there is a push for technology mediated instruction/teaching
4. learners want that.
5. the teacher feels compelled to use because his/her other colleagues are doing that
6. because needs assessment tell you that learners and other stakeholders are ready for technology integration.

What are the affordances of technology in technology integration in your case? Aren't taking risks and completing a project also happens in non-technological learning settings?

I am not against technology integration; I am for it. But I hope to understand what is all this glitz or hoopla and hype is about.

How do you evaluate whether learning goals and objectives have been achieved in ways more superior that non-technology integration?

Thanks

I agree with the article that technology should definitely be included across a curriculum and that it should be more than just basic computer skills.

Some examples of technology for the four key components listed in the article are: Web Quests for "active engagement", power point presentation review games for "participation in groups", Smart Board lessons for "frequent interaction and feedback", and the World Wide Web to reasearch and use resources for "real world" experts. There are so many possibilities with technology in the classroom, that there is really no excuse not to have it in a classroom. Technology opens up a whole new way of learning and it is critical for teachers to keep up to date for the 21st century learners.

I feel that it is a teacher's responsibility to continue to learn new things, just like students. Utilizing technology, students will be interested, on task, having fun, and most importantly LEARNING!

I agree with this article that technology should be included in classroom instruction across the curriculum. It should definitely be more than just basic computer skills and also support curricular goals of the subject area.

I feel that the possibilities are endless to reflect the four key componenets mentioned in the article. A few examples are: having students do a Web Quest for "active engagement", utilizing power point by creating a review game for "participation in groups", teaching with a Smart Board lesson for "frequent interaction and feedback", and researching or using the World Wide Web for "real-world" information.

There are so many different options and variations of technology to utilize that there is really no excuse not to have any technology integration within the classroom in the 21st century. A classroom without any technology within a unit is simply lacking and behind the times. Teachers should be responsible and continue to learn technology to keep up with the students. It will benefit them by keeping the students interested, on task, having fun, and most importantly LEARNING!

This article brings many valid points to light. We, as teachers, are responsible for preparing our students for managing their careers and families in the 21st century. They would be at a great disadvantage if we did not prepare them using current technologies. When used appropriately, technology can, infact enhance and deepen the learning process. This, of course, requires teachers who are trained inusing technology for that same function. The generation we are teaching has been "logged on" most of their lives. This, however, does not mean they are using the technology properly, or appropriately. Looking up facts or images, and using the the internet as a problem solving and critical thinking tool are very different. It is necessary that we guide our students for their growth, and not just to fill a void or entertain. Teachers must use technology responsibly, and impress that on their students, as well. It is a wonderful, and necessary tool, but can also be distructive. We need to be cautious.

This article brings many valid points to light. We, as teachers, are responsible for preparing our students for managing their careers and families in the 21st century. They would be at a great disadvantage if we did not prepare them using current technologies. When used appropriately, technology can, infact enhance and deepen the learning process. This, of course, requires teachers who are trained inusing technology for that same function. The generation we are teaching has been "logged on" most of their lives. This, however, does not mean they are using the technology properly, or appropriately. Looking up facts or images, and using the the internet as a problem solving and critical thinking tool are very different. It is necessary that we guide our students for their growth, and not just to fill a void or entertain. Teachers must use technology responsibly, and impress that on their students, as well. It is a wonderful, and necessary tool, but can also be distructive. We need to be cautious.

For as long as I can remember technology has played a critical role in my own learning experience. Although the mediums may change, I would expect nothing less for my own students. Although the technology has expanded in leaps and bounds the underlying theme remains the same: reaching students in new innovative ways. When I taught kindergarten I believed in bringing the students to the computer lab as soon as possible to introduce and model new technology in a whole group experience and then the students would be able to work in a guided instruction manner with in the classroom setting on what they learned. I think while teaching new technology and using technology in the classroom it is important to become a facilitator of the learning experience instead of a director. Project based learning gives students a chance to take control with guidance of their own learning and truly engage in different topics instead of being a passive by stander in the learning experience. I firmly believe my job as an educator is to prepare my students to become successful, contributing members of the 21st century society; technology is and will be infused throughout my students learning experience on many levels.

I am a fan of using the most current classroom technology in service of engaging students in higher level thinking. I teach 6th grade science and I, like Jeff House in an earlier post,suggest a google search when students pose questions or express curiosity about different science topics or controversy rather than dragging out the dictionary or dusting off an encyclopedia. I do find, however, that the students I teach are in great need of critical reading skills. There are many science topics that are politically charged and several issues that are hotly debated. Students need to read the articles and interpret graphs and other visuals with skepticism. Students must learn that finding information on the web does not make it true. They need to ask "Who created this and what do they want me to believe after reading this?" These are non-fiction reading skills that are crucial to reading any text and life skills important for deciphering truth from hype in everything from a newspaper article to a documentary. My students seem to be pushovers for a glitzy graph or a witty cartoon with a political message. It is not until the presentation is undressed, and the barebone facts revealed, that they are able to sift fact from propaganda.

Being able to differentiate between valid content and rubbish on the web is a crucial skill in the 21st century. If you teach your junior high students now, you'll have empowered them for the future, they'll have acquired a skill with real-life applications they can use in high school, college and beyond.

The integration of instructional technology is essential in the 21st century classroom. The world is changing at a rapid pace and it is imperative that as educators we provide our students with the tools necessary for success. Technological literacy is a crucial component for future success. The classroom may be the only opportunity some students have to use computers and integrate technology in life. When used effectively, technology deepens the learning process. For my students, I find that they are actively engaged when using technology, they are willing to work cooperatively toward a goal, they assist one another, they rise to a challenge to work and try harder to complete a project, and feel successful when they have completed a task and presented it to others. They take risks they might not take, or perhaps couldn't take working with more traditional media. I have observed my students' personal and academic growth when using technology in the classroom and hope to improve my knowledge of technological applications to prepare my students for the future.