Prior to this decade, best practices for technology as a component for professional development/in-service training didn’t exist to the extent that it does today. In education, the term “best practices” refers to a shorthand emblem of serious, thoughtful, informed, responsible, state-of-the-art teaching (Zemelman, Daniels & Hyde, 2005). Because technology is rapidly evolving in ways that encourage innovation and discovery, best practices that were appropriate for the traditional classroom are no longer feasible with a new generation of students that are raised in a “tech-savvy” society. In order to prepare educators to meet the needs of students from the millennium generation, professional development and in-service training has to include technology to meet the demands of the 21st century. Professional development refers to formal and informal learning experiences and processes that lead to deepened understanding and improvement of practice (Broad & Evans, 2006). The use of technology for teacher professional development can be categorized in three ways: a delivery system that provides information to improve pedagogy and content mastery, a focus of study that develops teacher’ abilities to use specific tools, and a catalyst for new forms of teaching and learning (Gaible & Burns, 2005). One of the most primary elements in the process of professional development is educational change (Villegas-Reimars, 2003). As changes occur in our educational system, teachers must learn about the best practices in relation to integrating technology into the curriculum through because the use of technology is essential in classroom instruction and professional practice. Professional development opportunities are available for employees in t... ... middle of paper ... ...e information on integrating technology into the curriculum by assuming a self-directed approach. These professional development opportunities are less formal and self-guided to meet a students individualized needs. Ideally, these approaches are beneficial to help teachers, school leaders, and support staff integrate and implement strategies and best practices; however, success and learning is dependent upon a combination of the above listed approaches. Although it is evident that the NYCDOE attempts to provide school leaders, teachers, and support staff with professional development opportunities, some changes need to be made in order to support more innovative ways to integrate technology. The National Staff Development Council (NSDC) recommends that 25% of professional development time be devoted to learning and collaborating with colleagues (NSDC, 2006).
Working as an Instructional Technology Specialist for the past seven years has provided many opportunities to observe teachers and students in a classroom setting. During this time teachers have been in the process of phasing in a new standards-based curriculum with an emphasis on student mastery of these standards. New technology tools have also been incorporated in many classrooms including studen...
Technology enables students and teachers to have a fast and easy way to acquire unlimited access to tons of information. With all of the useful technologies, the curriculum is bound to change in endless ways, creating more opportunity for learning.
...district trains staff with new technology tools that will include net books, mounted projectors, peripheral technologies, new student achievement reporting system (aka RAD and DAS systems running on Brio software, new access points, that centralizes the management console, so students and staff will be able to connect to the CCSD wireless network at all school sites. Training will also be provided to refine the RTI process. Using district and school goals, assessing needs using the right data, planning specific content and processes to teach best instructional practices, providing resources to ensure success, measuring success and providing frequent feedback, adjusting practices as needed to ensure successful implementation, evaluating and improving strategies and then sharing the plan with the community has been key to ensuring the highest student achievement.
Zola is to integrate technology school wide. To assist her in reaching this goal she will need to hire a technology resource teacher. Who she chooses for the position will determine if the integration is successful or not – especially since most teachers at Roma Elementary are reluctant to use technology (McDonald, 2006). In addition, how Ms. Zola chooses to implement the technology initiative could either create buy-in from teachers or result in resistance. According to the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) an administrator needs to inspire and facilitate a shared vision or purposeful change to create and sustain a culture for digital age learning (2016). Ms. Zola will need to clearly communicate her expectations and vision throughout the school
As the world keeps relying more and more on technology, the possible question for the future is, will technology eventually replace classrooms and teachers? Slowly, more and more of college level classes are offered online now, instead of in the classroom. Will computers provide a better learning opportunity for students? Will students succeed more with online classes rather than traditional classes? Will this be cheaper in the long run for students? Since the world is being taken over with technology, will this be better to students so they are able to teach themselves with technology? Technology already has a huge role with classes right now, could that lead to technology completely taking over the regular classes? This topic is important because it could result in many jobless teachers, but it can also result in cheaper schooling for students. There are many questions up in the air about this happening in the future. There are many valid points for and against this topic coming from teachers, and departments that explore different areas to expand and advance learning environments.
According to The Texas Forum of Teacher Education, written in October 2014, “The integration of technology into the classroom provides teachers with more numerous and flexible ways to share information (Campbell & Martin, 2010) and allows
Technology is becoming more and more dominant in our society.Everyday upgrades are being made and new innovations are being discovered. Technology is all around us whether we want it to be or not: it is the vehicles we drive, it can be found in our homes, and can even be found in the grocery store.Every place we look there is some type of technology.I believe technology has had a major impact on our school systems and is still impacting it today.There are those who do not agree, though, that technology has impacted our schools.Eric Gormly writes, “In fact, many theorists point out the overall impact of technology on education has been quite small, manifesting little discernible change in the classroom.” [1]Yes, there are some schools that are not as advanced as others, but many of them do have a significant amount of technology in them.I find it fascinating that so much technology has been incorporated into our classrooms, but I believe that, even with all of the positive aspects that are associated with technology, there are some negative and even dangerous aspects that should be taken into account.I will be sharing some of the equipment that has been used in the schools, how both the students and the teachers use the equipment, and also the positive and negative effects that technology has had on our schools.
The twenty-first century has arrived, and it has brought some of the most advanced computing technologies into the classroom; this leaves us with a very important question, do we really need technology, such as iPads or computers, implemented in our learning plans? As a student that has taken entire courses on iPads or computers, I can tell you that the former is not the case. There are plenty of reasons to teach about technological advances in each individual field of learning, but, more often than not, technology is unreliable and distracting for students. Not to mention that methods of maintenance rehearsal, like taking notes by hand, are more effective for recollection of information than staring into a screen. The bottom line is, using technology as a tool for education in the classroom is not necessary because it can inhibit the way students learn material.
Technology, as we all know, is helping and improving many disciplines of life. Technology, in Britannica Encyclopedia, is defined as the application of scientific knowledge to the practical aims of human life. (Britannica, 2009)
The education world has been greatly influenced by rapidly changing technology and the increasing availability of information. Schools have advanced by leaps and bounds when it comes to incorporating technology into the learning environment, however, many more advances need to be made. In all areas of the country, educators are trying to help students keep up with technology, but there are more changes that are essential for preparing the next generation for the future.
Modern technology has made it so much easier to obtain educational information for classroom or homework assignments. It offers educational games that stimulate the brain and help children who have difficulties focusing on traditional teaching and learning procedures. College students are even taking advantage of online courses that many colleges are offering as an alternative to physically attending classes. Advances in technology and computers will continue to play an important role in education for many generations to come.
Whether technological integration has positive or negative impacts on teaching and learning has been paid increasing attention and a numerous research has done to explore the issue. Regarding the issue, the question of if training teachers in the use of technology in classrooms contributes to students’ outcomes is still an endless argument. This essay will explain two reasons why such training brings about positive academic achievements for learners and a number of training guidelines that can be followed.
Closing the digital divide involves many components, starting with the education program and teachers. While schools are integrating new technologies into their programs, teachers are supposed to keep up with the latest technologies and use them in their curriculum to teach students. According to a U.S. Department of Education Report (1999), only 24 percent of new teachers felt sufficiently prepared to integrate technology into the curriculum they were using (Brogan, 2000). The problem is, many teachers did not grow up with computers and are not receiving the training they need to operate them (Brogan, 2000). Starting work as early as 7 a.m. and leaving school as late as 5 p.m. to go home and do even more work, leaves teachers lacking the time to learn new technological skills. Many schools offer training programs for teachers. For example, the Palm Beach County, Florida school district teaches Web basics for teachers at middle schools and magnet schools (Brogan, 2000). This is a great idea because it is giving teachers the opportunity to learn about technology and it is showing that the school district is interested in helping its employees become better at what they do.
Starr, L. (2011, June 14). Education World. Retrieved 11 2, 2013, from Technology Integration/ Ideas That Work: http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech176.shtml
As facilitators of learning, our classrooms are filled with students who are comprised of generation X’ers and Millenial’s. We must be conscious to structure our lessons and approaches so that we can present content in the most effective manner. Technology, in regards to principles of teaching, challenges the teacher to not only learn what the technology is all about, but to learn to integrate it effectively within the context of their individual classrooms. Teachers in classrooms across the nation struggle with computer technology, the many features, and the never-ending cycle of new devices that are bought into their classrooms daily. Because of the lack of training and severe levels of discomfort, teachers have developed a negative disposition towards the use of technology when it applying it to principle. Recognizing the noted factors, it can be resolved that we do live in an interactive world. Our job is to effectively integrate the technology in such a way that it supports, guides, and enhances learning for all parties involved.