My vision of educational technology is to create a learning environment where higher-level learning occurs. Students are living in a fast-paced society, and they need an environment that will keep up with them and connect them to the digital world. This generation of students has grown up with technology all around them. Nancye Blair (2012) observes signs that there is a dramatic shift sweeping through schools; “Third graders texting on their cell phones. Kindergarteners who can navigate an iPod Touch better than we can. Middle schoolers who already have an Internet following on their blog or YouTube channel.” They are multitaskers and need a learning environment that it going to allow them quick access to information and exploration so they can construct their own knowledge. Through the use of technology to increase critical thinking, creativity, communication, and collaboration (Partnership for 21st Century Learners) students will be actively engaged in their own learning.
Linda Starr (2011) states, “...technology should be integrated, not as a separate subject or as a once-in-a-while project, but as a tool to promote and extend student learning on a daily basis.” Technology allows students to collaborate with classmates and work cooperatively. They gain leadership and responsibility skills that benefit them now and also later in life. They can also share their work with people around the world instead of just in the classroom. This creates an authentic audience which motivates and provides a sense of self-worth for students. Students will try harder when they know their work is going to be published and outsiders will get to view it. Students will be given the opportunity to partake in activities with peers around the world that would not be possible without the use of technology.
Educational technology can solve many issues in the classroom. The use of technology can motivate and engage students. The reluctant learners are many times drawn into the use of technology. Students are not afraid to fail or make mistakes. They try harder to find a solution instead of being quick to give up. Students will be more willing to make corrections and revisions to a writing piece or explaining the process of completing an algorithm.
Technology can help reach students with different learning styles. Students will be allowed to create, instead of taking a paper and pencil test. They will be able to express their differences and creativity. Learning can take place at different paces that are appropriate to the individual students. The one-size-fits-all approach will cease to exist. Students with disabilities will not be held back and will be successful with the use of technology (Roblyer, 2013, p.14).
My classroom will be based on the constructivist learning approach. The teacher will act as a facilitator to allow students to discover, create, and explore. Students will build upon their background knowledge by exploring and discovering new information. Demonstration of learning will take place in different ways depending on student learning style. “The student then becomes the focal point of the classroom, acting as explorer (e.g., mathematician, scientist, sociologist) and designer (e.g., author, artist, composer)” (Blair, 2012). Similar to Albert Bandura’s Social Cognitive Theory, modeling will take place to motivate students and increase self-efficacy. Videos and podcasts will be utilized to allow students to observe the behaviors of students who are successful (Roblyer, 2013, p. 43). Students will be provided with hands on, interactive visuals to gain an understanding of abstract concepts. Collaboration and cooperative will be promoted as students explore concepts that are interesting to them. By providing a learning environment that fosters digital literacy and citizenship, students will be equipped with the skills they need to succeed in this ever changing society.
References
Blair, N. (2012, February). Technology integration for the new 21st century learner. National Association of Elementary School Principals, 8-13. Retrieved from http://www.naesp.org/sites/default/files/Blair_JF12.pdf
Partnership for 21st Century Learners. The 4cs research series. Retrieved September 2, 2015, from http://www.p21.org/our-work/4cs-research-series
Roblyer, M.D. (2013). Educational technology in context. In J, Johnston, (Ed.) Integrating educational technology into teaching (pp. 1-30). Boston: Pearson.
Roblyer, M.D. (2013). Theory into practice: Foundations for effective technology integration. In J, Johnston, (Ed.) Integrating educational technology into teaching (pp. 31-71). Boston: Pearson.
Starr, L. (2011, June). Integrating technology in the classroom: It takes more than just having computers. Education World. Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech146.shtml
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