One aspect of learning that is crucial is
how collaboration is connected to learning. In order for students to learn most
effectively we need to give them the ability to work together to solve problems,
revise certain concepts, practice working within a team, etc. As teachers we
have the power and responsibility to facilitate this collaboration. Using
technology can be a great way to encourage and empower our students to
collaborate with one another (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SK8InwlWkYg). Technology is present in the lives of
children to the extent that most daily activities utilize technology. This
means that through technology they will be more easily shown how to collaborate
with others.
Not
only is technology integration important as a tool for teachers, it is also
essential for the students of the 21st century. Without having the
opportunity to learn via technology students will be at a disadvantage when
they try to participate in our ever increasingly digital world ( https://www.naesp.org/principal-januaryfebruary-2012-technology/technology-integration-new-21st-century-learner). As we teach
students content it is also important to incorporate technology into their
learning. Without doing so would mean that they are losing the chance to
experience how to be an active member of this age of advancing technology. In
their lives they will certainly be using technology every day, and experiences
gained from using technology in school could be very valuable.
One
looming issue related to classroom management, for most teachers I think, is
how cellphones affect students in class. It is quite common for even pre-teens
to have smartphone these days. The presence of cellphones is classroom has the
potential to negatively impact learning. However, could cellphones be used as
an educational tool? If the cellphones of students could be used in class it
could be possible to enhance learning (http://cellphonesinlearning.blogspot.com/). This is a very interesting thought.
It might be possible to use what would normally be thought as a hindrance to
education, with respect to classroom learning, and find a way to enhance
learning.
In
classrooms now technology is being used more than it has before. What about the
future though? Will technology use continue to increase? Evidence suggests that
while most classrooms use technology everyday only about one third of the
observed classrooms used much other than email, web resources, or productivity
tools (https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15391523.2003.10782399). This means that, while technology is used quite a bit now, it is
uncertain how much technology use will continue to affect the classroom. It
does seem likely however that technology use will continue to increase.
The
sharing of information is important for quality learning to take place. A way
that information can be shared easily, and in a way that will seem familiar to
many students today, is through different types of social media. There have
been numerous occasions when I have opened an article that was linked by a
friend of mine on Facebook that lead me to a valuable learning experience. With
the integration and application, social media can be used to allow students to
explore information in a way that is different from classroom instruction.
Technology
integration is an important aspect of teaching. If an educator chooses to not
use technology they had better have a really good reason. The opportunities
that technology can give to students are seemingly endless, so teachers do not
have an excuse to abandon technology as a useful resource. However, this does
not mean that technology should flood the classroom. Every action that a
teacher makes should be a calculated one. If a choice is made to use technology
I would expect a teacher to be able to explain to me why they are using the
technology and why it is better than not using it. If they cannot do this they
are being irresponsible educators, and are likely simply using the technology
to make teaching easier.
I
believe that thinking without the use of technology is better than thinking
with the use of technology. It makes sense to me that if technology becomes too
much of a crutch then the user is not benefitting from it. Technology should be
used to enhance learning. Learning is a
person gaining knowledge and skills. If the person cannot use that knowledge
and skill without the technology I would argue they are not truly benefiting
from it. For example, I would use a hammer to help me build a house, but would I
exchange that hammer for the use of my arm? Of course not. Our minds are
powerful and we need to make sure that technology is strengthening our minds,
not making them dependent on it.
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