Technology Integration

When thinking of all the technology present today, I believe there is an endless number of ways teachers can use modern instructional software to engage “Digital Natives” within the classroom. One of the greatest aspects of technology in the classroom is the wide spread active engagement opportunities. Instructional software programs are created to distribute and support multiple kinds of learning activities for students.

Specific programs can provide students with a variety of drills and practice problems and in return will receive the correct answer and even feedback on their corrections. Programs also offer tutorials related to what the teacher has previously instructed in class. Tutorials can be extremely beneficial in that students can watch them over again as many times as they like for a better understanding of content that has already been instructed in the classroom.

Instructional games are usually the most appealing to students, but can also play a very big role in motivating students to become actively involved in learning. Since children tend to love playing all kinds of video games at home, when a game is presented to them in the classroom, no matter what the object or content of the game is, there is always an increased level of interest and motivation. Often times students get caught up in the competitiveness and fun in the game that they may not even realize that the game they are playing is based around content knowledge. Instructional games also provide opportunities for students to achieve higher-order learning, as they are required to think in ways outside of the box. Instructional games are a great way to make learning engaging and especially fun for students!

Technology integration can contribute to more effective differentiated instruction in a variety of ways. As mentioned in the video, “Schools Gaming for Learning and Assessment,” instructional games help un-achieving boys with ADHD gain interest in learning and also serve as a means of channeling that interest positively. Students that may have a hard time comprehending specific areas of text are given opportunities to see connections beyond the text through instructional games and software. Teachers can also provide students that have a difficult time taking written tests other opportunities to express their knowledge through technology such as multimedia and digital media programs. For example, in the video “Digital Youth Portrait: Sam,” a young girl found multiple ways to express what she had learned through the use technology.

Sam also provided a solution for students that may be struggling readers, especially when expected to read and understand text independently at home. Since Sam was having a hard time understanding what she was assigned to read at home, she found the audio book on iTunes and was able to listen to the book on audio, while following along with the text on her iPod touch or book. Teachers can provide audio books in the classroom for students that may benefit from listening to the text as well.

If I was teaching in an ideal technology situation, I believe the benefits of technology integration would be endless. Technology can improve any lesson or activity with meaningful, valuable opportunities of instruction and practice. Educators can provide their students with a number of different lesson and activities that will deepen content knowledge, as well keep a higher level of interest. One of greatest aspects of technology integration in the classroom is the opportunity of meeting the needs of all learners. With the amount of technology present today, I believe that differentiated instruction is made a lot easier for educators, as well as more valuable when used appropriately.

The only pitfall I can think of when integrating technology into the classroom is providing students with an expectation using technology that may conflict with a specific students learning style or personal ability. If this occurs, with the use of the endless available opportunities with technology today, teachers should adapt a technology-based assignment to the needs of that student.