The Pros!
The implementation of technology has changed the way a classroom is run and altered the way students learn today. With the 21st century student given an abundance of resource to aid in his or her learning, technology can plays a role in the success of a students education. In the following section, we will outline some of the benefits of why technology should be used in the classroom and take a further look at the impact on students.
Student Engagement:
Technology in the classroom allows for more hand on and interactive learning experience, where students are not limited to a pen or paper. There are multiple programs that can tie into the curriculum and enrich the minds of students through interactive activity. Programs such as RazKids, Prodigy, XtraMath and Toontastic give students with the opportunity to learn and complete task in a fun way. The integration of technology has shifted student engagement from passive to active learning experiences which empower students to inquire, critique, collaborate, create, problem-solve and create learning opportunities for understanding content (Male & Burden, 2014,p.427) .
Technology is the future
Technology should be integrated into education because it allows student the opportunity to learn how to use various technological resources such as iPads and laptops. In Integrating Technology into the Classroom: Eight Key Success, one of eight key successes the authors mentions is learning based;
Learning should be the impetus that drives the use of technology in the school. Its use can allow teachers and students to become partners in the learning process….. Students today must learn to search and discover knowledge, actively communicate with others, and solve problems so that they can become productive life-long members of our society (Bitner & Bitner, 2002, p.97)
With the integration of technology, this becomes a learning process for both the student and teacher. Technology is constantly changing with new developments being created. Schools now have the opportunity to integrate technology and let their student’s acquire knowledge/skills and learn. By schools including and allowing technology in the classroom, the learning process educates 21st century learners to be prepared for the future.
Accessibility to Information
Technology has grown exponentially with information being available right at our fingertips, thanks to devices such as iPads/tablets, laptops, and phones. The development of these various technologies have not only changed the way information is gathered and shared amongst us, but also within a classroom. In a survey found in Digital Learning in Ontario School, school systems within Ontario are welcoming and implementing the use of technology in the classroom. The following chart illustrates the various point of access of technology for students (Digital Learning Study, 2014,p.2).
The findings revealed that 96% of students were accessing technology within their own classroom, as well as other multiple access points (ex. library, lab or their own device). The accessibility and access points within a schools give students various opportunities to access a wide variety of information through the internet.
Flexibility and Adaptability
Using technology in the classroom will improve education because of its flexibility and adaptability to differentiated learning. Technology will allow us to differentiate based on student learning profiles, interest and readiness. With technologies such as podcast or videos, students are given the opportunity to learn at their own pace and the freedom to go back and relearn about content whenever they want (Boundless, 2014). For example, “many ELL and ESL students need additional support with pronunciation and defining common vocabulary that may be new to them. Other students might have difficulty reading and reviewing complex texts. The ability to access podcasts and vodcasts on classroom computers can help address students’ needs (Boundless, 2014)." By integrating technology into the classrooms, teachers can avoid “lecture style” teaching, and can incorporate technology to cater to various learning styles.
SMART Board - Interactive Classrooms
Learning has become an interactive process between both students and teachers. The transition from chalkboards to SMART Board is prime example of how the dynamics of the classroom has altered. The SMART Board is used as a replacement or substitution to the previously used chalkboard, and is an interactive board that allows information and images to project. This technology has enhanced student learning and created an interactive process, where students are able to visually see information and images, as well as interact with the board by touching or using a SMART Board pen to answer a question or participate. In Using SMART Boards to Enhance Student Learning, a study was conducted on Grade 3 students from Holden Elementary and their use of the SMART Boards. The findings revealed that students enjoyed the interactive board. Here is what a few of students had to say:
“I liked the SMART Board because you can click with your finger and everyone in my classroom can see the data.” (Bates & Kratcoski, 2007, p.48)
“With the SMART Board you can go up to it and do it, so you can explain and do it at the same time” (Bates & Kratcoski, 2007, p.48)
The SMART Board promotes learning through its interactive board, leaving students engaged and ready to participate. In addition, there are many interactive activities that teachers can use to promote learning such as Mystery Skype,GoNoodle, Kahoot.it, RazKids, Prodigy, Blogging and Social Media.
Flexibility and Adaptability
Using technology in the classroom will improve education because of its flexibility and adaptability to differentiated learning. Technology will allow us to differentiate based on student learning profiles, interest and readiness. With technologies such as podcast or videos, students are given the opportunity to learn at their own pace and the freedom to go back and relearn about content whenever they want (Boundless, 2014). For example, “many ELL and ESL students need additional support with pronunciation and defining common vocabulary that may be new to them. Other students might have difficulty reading and reviewing complex texts. The ability to access podcasts and vodcasts on classroom computers can help address students’ needs (Boundless, 2014)." By integrating technology into the classrooms, teachers can avoid “lecture style” teaching, and can incorporate technology to cater to various learning styles.
SMART Board - Interactive Classrooms
Learning has become an interactive process between both students and teachers. The transition from chalkboards to SMART Board is prime example of how the dynamics of the classroom has altered. The SMART Board is used as a replacement or substitution to the previously used chalkboard, and is an interactive board that allows information and images to project. This technology has enhanced student learning and created an interactive process, where students are able to visually see information and images, as well as interact with the board by touching or using a SMART Board pen to answer a question or participate. In Using SMART Boards to Enhance Student Learning, a study was conducted on Grade 3 students from Holden Elementary and their use of the SMART Boards. The findings revealed that students enjoyed the interactive board. Here is what a few of students had to say:
“I liked the SMART Board because you can click with your finger and everyone in my classroom can see the data.” (Bates & Kratcoski, 2007, p.48)
“With the SMART Board you can go up to it and do it, so you can explain and do it at the same time” (Bates & Kratcoski, 2007, p.48)
The SMART Board promotes learning through its interactive board, leaving students engaged and ready to participate. In addition, there are many interactive activities that teachers can use to promote learning such as Mystery Skype,GoNoodle, Kahoot.it, RazKids, Prodigy, Blogging and Social Media.
Blogging
A classroom blog can connect parents to their child and teacher, where they can see what’s going on in their son or daughter's life. Blogging platforms allow parents to feel connected and informed, while allowing students to feel empowered, and opportunities to practice their own writing in a new learning space. Blogging modifies the traditional classroom experience to occasions for discussion, exchange of passions, teaching others, and learning from other (Mcgrail & Davis, 2011,p.433). Students may use blogging for responding to readings, maintaining a journal or to practice their writing. In The Influence of Classroom Blogging on Elementary Student Writing, a study was conducted on Grade 5 students in regards to what happen when they used blogs over a school year. The findings revealed
“Student bloggers explored various ways to invoke and speak directly to their readers, who were no longer only teachers. Their writer voices developed distinctive features, becoming engaging and personal, filled with opinions, humor, expression, and playfulness. Writing suddenly had a purpose and meaning other than to please the teacher or to earn a grade” (Mcgrail & Davis,,2011, p.433)
Classroom blogs are not a replacement for classroom writing instructions or activity, but it is a worthwhile enhancement to a typical way of teaching writing. Blogging empowers all students to write their thoughts, opinions and develop their own voice.
Learning Styles
Teachers have a range of different learners in their classroom; with student being recognized as either being an auditory learner, visual learner, kinesthetic learner or a blend of the different types. With the integration of technology in the classroom, learning styles can be addressed through a teacher’s lesson plan. Technology in the classroom is the perfect tool to align learning styles, as well as engage students and support learning (Solvie & Kloek, 2007, 48). Technology should be incorporated in the classroom because it can accommodate different learning styles, auditory learnings through discussion and listening, visual learners are supported through visual representation on the SMART Board or chalkboard and kinesthetic learners are supported through hand-on activities that allow participation.
Global Connection:
Technology can bring and connect people from all over the world, allowing students to be exposed to things in other parts of the world, that they may not normally have been exposed to. People in impoverished countries are given the same opportunity to be educated and informed. Through technology, e-learning is breaking the school wall barriers and allow individuals to earn a credit (Digital Learning Study, 2014, p.7).
A classroom blog can connect parents to their child and teacher, where they can see what’s going on in their son or daughter's life. Blogging platforms allow parents to feel connected and informed, while allowing students to feel empowered, and opportunities to practice their own writing in a new learning space. Blogging modifies the traditional classroom experience to occasions for discussion, exchange of passions, teaching others, and learning from other (Mcgrail & Davis, 2011,p.433). Students may use blogging for responding to readings, maintaining a journal or to practice their writing. In The Influence of Classroom Blogging on Elementary Student Writing, a study was conducted on Grade 5 students in regards to what happen when they used blogs over a school year. The findings revealed
“Student bloggers explored various ways to invoke and speak directly to their readers, who were no longer only teachers. Their writer voices developed distinctive features, becoming engaging and personal, filled with opinions, humor, expression, and playfulness. Writing suddenly had a purpose and meaning other than to please the teacher or to earn a grade” (Mcgrail & Davis,,2011, p.433)
Classroom blogs are not a replacement for classroom writing instructions or activity, but it is a worthwhile enhancement to a typical way of teaching writing. Blogging empowers all students to write their thoughts, opinions and develop their own voice.
Learning Styles
Teachers have a range of different learners in their classroom; with student being recognized as either being an auditory learner, visual learner, kinesthetic learner or a blend of the different types. With the integration of technology in the classroom, learning styles can be addressed through a teacher’s lesson plan. Technology in the classroom is the perfect tool to align learning styles, as well as engage students and support learning (Solvie & Kloek, 2007, 48). Technology should be incorporated in the classroom because it can accommodate different learning styles, auditory learnings through discussion and listening, visual learners are supported through visual representation on the SMART Board or chalkboard and kinesthetic learners are supported through hand-on activities that allow participation.
Global Connection:
Technology can bring and connect people from all over the world, allowing students to be exposed to things in other parts of the world, that they may not normally have been exposed to. People in impoverished countries are given the same opportunity to be educated and informed. Through technology, e-learning is breaking the school wall barriers and allow individuals to earn a credit (Digital Learning Study, 2014, p.7).