Digital Badge #I-Chapter 12

Digital Badge #I –Chapter 12

Chapter 12 is an overview of integrating technology into the classroom.  Teachers learn the techniques of successfully incorporating new strategies when addressing the digital divide/inequality, and the participation gap technology can have over some educators. 

The first section I found quite intriguing was, “ Integrating Technology to Address the Participation Gap”.  There are four strategies to shorten the amount of time teachers spend while teaching a highly interactive lesson in a whole group, small group, or individual learning.  These strategies are:  bring your own technology programs, one/two/three times activities, cooperative learning and groupwork, and interactive digital textbooks. Collier County schools have introduced “BYOD” (Bring Your Own Device) to the education community.  Students are encouraged to bring their own technology devices, when they attend school.  It was mentioned in this section that this program was created because it can keep the cost down for schools that choose to participate.  For those schools that cannot afford to purchase new laptops/devices for their student(s), this program will allow an increased usage of technology within the classrooms. In this approach, there are some speculations that those teachers who are not familiar with all the different types of technology devices will not be able to keep up with the demand of running a technical classroom efficiently.  As for the one/two/three time activities, it is an instructional mode that uses technology as a central element of classroom learning.  It was mentioned that this technique is often used at the elementary level.  Student will be grouped in fours and rotate within the classroom to different learning centers.  Computers are incorporated in these rotations as well.  This approach allows for a manageable classroom where students are working independently and taking their time with their assigned works.  The third strategy is cooperative learning and group work.  This strategy can be found at every grade level and subject area.  Students work together in pairs or trios, to complete projects and assignments.  After they complete their work in small groups, they then report back to their entire class.  This creates a new learning style, because students are adapting to new ways as they share with their peers.  The fourth strategy is interactive digital textbooks.  This is a way to integrate computer technology into the learning in the classroom.  It was also mentioned that a teacher doesn’t need a computer for every student in the classroom. Students can access their digital textbooks either through a wireless tablet, or it can be projected on a whiteboard.  As an inspiring teacher, I will choose to integrate technology into each of my lessons.  I personally believe that technology can offer teachers effective and creative ways to reach different types of learners.  Technology can also help develop a new style of teaching, so learning can be more meaningful and fun! 

The second section I found interesting was “Becoming A Technology-Leading Teacher”.  In this section, it stated that teachers are leaders in their classrooms.  Their students will often learn new ideas and creative techniques.  Curriculum standards and academic concepts are just words on paper until an educator can create learning techniques so that their students understand the meaning of new material being taught to them.  Also, teachers can also become leaders when they decide on how they will incorporate technology in his or her classroom.  Some key strategies to determine if you are a technology-leading teacher is: writing grants, working with computer-using colleagues, joining professional organizations, celebrating digital learning day, involving students in technology and change, and developing a technology-leading mindset.  I believe when a teacher is discovering new ways and ideas to use technology, they have the potential to become the “technology-leading educator”.


"This video demonstrates how to become an efficient technology-leading teacher"

The third section I found resourceful, was “Technology Integration Issues”.  In this section it states that there are six main issues that affect teachers integrating technology into their teaching.  The six issues are: administration support and teaching style, unwillingness to change favorite lesson plans, reluctance to use technology in new lesson plans, use of technology as a reward or punishment, use of technology as an add-on to other activities, and use of technology to separate students by ability groups.  I too agree with one of the main issues mentioned in this section.  The biggest issue, I personally believe, is the reluctance to use technology in new lesson plans. Teachers tend to use what they know and what their comfortable with.  In some cases, teachers are often overwhelmed when the curriculum standards are changed and they are forced to update their lesson plans.  Some teachers have been teaching for years and may be stuck in their traditional ways of teaching.  They're reluctant to change.  In addition, it can take time and a lot of creativity to create new plans.  Technology can seem like an added burden.  Technology is evolving each and every day and as an inspiring teacher, we need to embrace it.  There are many resources a teacher can use, to inspire additional ideas for integrating technology.  Our students depend on it...


"Teachers are sometimes reluctant to use technology because of their inexperience, but this video quickly proves that anyone can learn..."

References

Integrating Technology into the Classroom. (n.d.). US News. Retrieved October 20, 2014, from http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/high-school-notes/2012/01/25/3-tips-on-integrating-technology-in-the-classroom

Issues with Integrating Technology in the Classroom. (n.d.). About. Retrieved October 21, 2014, from http://712educators.about.com/od/technologyandeducation/tp/Issues-With-Integrating-Technology-In-The-Classroom.htm

Transforming Learning with New Technologies (2nd Edition) Paperback – March 25, 2013. (n.d.). Transforming Learning with New Technologies (2nd Edition): Robert W. Maloy, Ruth-Ellen A Verock, Sharon A. Edwards, Beverly P. Woolf: 9780133155716: Amazon.com: Books. Retrieved October 20, 2014, from http://www.amazon.com/Transforming-Learning-New-Technologies-Edition/dp/0133155714