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Why Integrate Technology into the Curriculum?: The Reasons Are Many
by Edutopia Staff
Technology is ubiquitous, touching almost every part of out lives, our communities, our homes. Yet most schools lag far behind when it comes to integrating technology into classroom learning. Many are just beginning to explore the true potential tech offers for teaching and learning. Properly used, technology will help students acquire the skills they need to survive in a complex, highly technological knowledge-based economy.
VIDEO: Harrison Central High School: A Commitment to High Tech
Running Time: 9 min.
Integrating technology into classroom instruction means more than teaching basic computer skills and software programs in a separate computer class. Effective tech integration must happen across the curriculum in ways that research shows deepen and enhance the learning process. In particular, it must supporting four key components of learning: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to real-world experts. Effective technology integration is achieved when the use of technology is routine and transparent and when technology supports curricular goals.
Many people believe that technology-enabled project learning is the ne plus ultra of classroom instruction. Learning through projects while equipped with technology tools allows students to be intellectually challenged while providing them with a realistic snapshot of what the modern office looks like. Through projects, students acquire and refine their analysis and problem-solving skills as they work individually and in teams to find, process, and synthesize information they've found online.
The myriad resources of the online world also provide each classroom with more interesting, diverse, and current learning materials. The Web connects students to experts in the real world and provides numerous opportunities for expressing understanding through images, sound, and text.
New tech tools for visualizing and modeling, especially in the sciences, offer students ways to experiment and observe phenomenon and to view results in graphic ways that aid in understanding. And, as an added benefit, with technology tools and a project-learning approach, students are more likely to stay engaged and on task, reducing behavioral problems in the classroom.
Technology also changes the way teachers teach, offering educators effective ways to reach different types of learners and assess student understanding through multiple means. It also enhances the relationship between teacher and student. When technology is effectively integrated into subject areas, teachers grow into roles of adviser, content expert, and coach. Technology helps make teaching and learning more meaningful and fun. Return to our Technology Integration page to learn more.
Impact of ICT use in K-7 classrooms
Submitted by Samantha (not verified) on August 11, 2008 - 07:43.
I am a student teacher in Australia and am trying to finalise an assignment which is asking for evidence on the impact of ICT use particularly in the Health and PE area - does any one have any anecdotes or links to research that I can use... please.
Thanks
Integrating Technology
Submitted by Katie (not verified) on July 22, 2008 - 14:00.
Integrating technology can be a vital part to student learning. Smart boards provide a great technological piece into the classroom. Having students utilize the Smart Board will especially benefit the kinesthetic learners. Having computers in the classroom can also benefit the students. Having educational websites, games, or activities will enhance learning for many students. Many of my students last year played on the computer at home. It would be valuable to have them learn and play at the same time. I also took my students into the computer lab each week. They loved their time there!
Integrating Technology
Submitted by Alfred Low (not verified) on July 27, 2008 - 01:37.
Hi Katie,
The Smartboard is a great teach and learning tool. Can you share with us how is your lesson plan is like?
Thanks.
Technology & Learning
Submitted by Katie (not verified) on July 22, 2008 - 12:34.
I agree that technology can be an integral part of learning. I will be getting a Smart Board in my room this year and I can't wait until I learn what it can do. My school just received a new computer lab this past year. The kids love it! However, it is not compatible with the computers in the classroom, which makes it hard to do work.
The challenges of integrating technology
Submitted by Kevin (not verified) on August 1, 2008 - 09:06.
I agree that there are challenges. We have computers in our rooms at school, different types in the lab, and the kids use different ones at home. It's hard to teach a skill in the lab that they can't do in the room. It's hard to teach internet skills when many of our kids don't have the internet at home. We can't do much about that, but as a school/district, we just don't have the money to upgrade and make all the computers the same. K-2 have different ones, 3-5 have a different brand/model/year, and the lab is all the same, but a little different than the classrooms. As long as we plug along and keep doing EVERYTHING we can with what we have, it benefits the kids and they'll be better for it somewhere down the line!
Integrated Technology: Difficult but Important
Submitted by Jenny (not verified) on August 3, 2008 - 17:35.
I first wanted to ask a quick question, what is a SmartBoard because I have never heard about them before?
I also wanted to talk about the challenges of integrating technology. I teach in Kindergarten and so using technology is challenging because the children are so young and so more time has to be taken to teach them how to use it and what to do wiht it. Our technology teacher does not help with this because he logs the kids onto starfall and lets them play games for 30 minutes whenever they have technology class. The teacher are fed up with this and yet no help is given to ensure that our students are learning how to actually use the computers. This is especially hard on us because the Kindergarteners have to take NWEA computerized tests for assessment three times during the year, but they do not know what to do with the computer. I wanted to integrate more tech. time into my lessons, but could not because the computers for my room were always being taken out so they could be used for testing elsewhere. Even though it sounds like I am ranting, which in some ways I am, I do agree with you Kevin that we have to deal with what we have and keep plugging along. I am hoping to work something out with the tech teacher this year to help teach my students more about the computer and what there is for them out there. I am also planning on using my own laptop in the room for extra educational experiences like viewing a special video on the internet or writing to their favorite author. I also have to use the other technologies available to me like the listening center and whatever else I can get my hands on. Our world is huge and full of promise and possibilities and we have a wonderful opportunity to make that available to our students.
Making computer lab time productive
Submitted by Kellye (not verified) on August 6, 2008 - 21:26.
Jenny, I read your letter and could relate to your comments. I run a computer lab in Hawaii. This year is my second full year in this position. When I got there, the lab had been shut down for two years. It didn't take too long for us to get our act together, but communication is key. You also need the support of your principal. Our principal takes technology very seriously. Although I don't plan what the teachers do in the lab, they consult with me, and I do research, or set up for them. I also teach them programs before they actually use them by giving demonstrations. Maybe you could talk to your principal about what the teachers need for the kids to learn in the lab. I communicate with the teachers everyday about their use of the lab. Maybe the lab instructor isn't fully aware of what's expected of him. I work with K-5. Everyone NWEA's three times a year, too. Maybe if everyone can come up with a plan, lab time can become more productive. Good luck!
Technology in the classroom
Submitted by Beth (not verified) on July 22, 2008 - 09:22.
I feel that technology opens doors and windows for myself as an educator and to my students. One of my goals this year in my classroom is to implement further technology. It is a great tool that we should all take advantage of. It helps spark a greater interest in our student's lives and love of learning.
Technology in Teaching
Submitted by jenny (not verified) on August 5, 2008 - 09:01.
I agree with you Beth, and I too plan on using more technology in my teaching this year. It is difficult for me because I am going back to being a Kindergarten Paraprofessional after being a long term Kindergarten substitute. Since I am a teaching assisstant basically I have no classroom and no supplies provided by my school so I have to provide my own technology, which means using my laptop and anything else I can get my hands on. I also believe in technology's power to inspire our student's love of learning.
Technology in the classroom
Submitted by Alfred Low (not verified) on July 27, 2008 - 01:39.
Dear Beth, could you share with us how technology opens doors and windows for you as an educator and to your students and learners? Thanks.
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