Differentiating Instruction through Technology
Student Centered Technology Technology is not only beneficial for the teacher to have more tools to enhance their lessons, but it can be extremely useful in order to the classroom environment to become student-centered. Many may think that technology can disconnect a student from their learning or distract them from education, but it can help them a lot more than some may think. There are many different ways to use technology in order to benefit the students like using certain software, video materials, and using tools with online learning. Technology to Differentiate Instruction Samsung School Software: The Alternative School for Math and Science (ASMS) was the first to start using the Samsung School software in all their classrooms in order to be able to provide a more individualized instruction across the curriculum (Putting Students in the Center n.p.). Using all tablets and a 1:1 student to computer ratio, allows teachers to ensure the students have the proper tools in order to learn and they are able to be a lot more hands on with the technology. If a teacher is fortunate enough to have this type of powerful technology in their classroom, an array of applications and tools are available to use in order to focus on students and their ability to learn. Video Materials: Many believe in using media and technology in order to make a stronger student-centered learning environment (Gravoso 110). Using media and technology for video materials to enhance learning in a classroom can save a teacher a lot of time. In addition, this can engage the students more into the learning and be more creative than only listening to the teacher. Videos would allow another teacher to be welcomed into the classroom, easily and seamlessly as long as there is an Internet connection and somewhere to play the video for everyone in class. This can also introduce a new way that the students can make presentations or projects so that they become more familiar with technology and their multiple uses. Online Learning: Online learning can be one of the best student-centered learning because, although it does provide structure, it gives the student control of when, where, and how long the student wants to give their learning. Many have the misconception that it will mean that a students doesn’t learn the essentials, but when using the proper tools within the online learning it can become really successful. Collaboration technologies, blogs, audio and video, Twitter, Google applications, group task, and peer assignments are all technology tools that enhance the ability for the student to be in control and improve their learning methods (Revere 117). Pros and Cons Any type of technology that is used in a classroom comes with benefits as well as disadvantages. When using specific software, like Samsung School software for example, it can limit the possibilities of searching for other methods when the one you have available is not working. Using video materials is very entertaining, but can be repetitive and there may be a possibility that the students have seen the material before. Video is great, however, because if it is on YouTube, the students are able to access the material from home. The biggest downfall to using any technology for educational purposes is cheating. Technology allows students to copy, paste, search, and repeat very easily. Conclusion The important thing to consider when using technology in a classroom is to have the best interest of the students in mind. Technology needs to make the learning about them, easy for them to use, understand, and enjoy. Getting familiar with the technology and weighting the benefits and disadvantages can help teachers pick the right tools for them as well as their students. Although people push technology more and more on a daily basis, it has to benefit the overall education for the students before relying on it heavily to deliver the information students need. References Abdelmalak, M., & Trespalacios, J. (2013). Using a Learner-Centered Approach to Develop an Educational Technology Course. International Journal Of Teaching & Learning In Higher Education, 25(3), 324-332. http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=96017966&site=eds-live&scope=site Gravoso, R. S., Pasa, A. E., Labra, J. B., & Mori, T. (2008). Design and Use of Instructional Materials for Student-Centered Learning: A Case in Learning Ecological Concepts. Asia-Pacific Education Researcher (De La Salle University Manila), 17(1), 109-120. http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=35904665&site=eds-live&scope=site Putting Students at the Center. (2014). T H E Journal, 41(11), 9. http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=99575789&site=eds-live&scope=site Revere, L. r., & Kovach, J. V. (2011). ONLINE TECHNOLOGIES FOR ENGAGED LEARNING A Meaningful Synthesis for Educators. Quarterly Review Of Distance Education, 12(2), 113-124. http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ofs&AN=66173718&site=eds-live&scope=site Technology to Enhance Instruction
Integrating Instructional Technology When it comes to an educational standpoint, technology can enhance learning significantly when used properly in the classroom for instructional purposes. A school setting is defined by its relationships between students, teachers, and parents have which can be enhanced significantly by using technology not only for communication purposes, but to enhance instructional practices (Luck 91). Different technology tools can enhance the learning of a student, facilitate the teaching, as well as make the classroom a lot more fun and enjoyable for everyone. iPads and Tablets Unlike laptops, iPads and tablets are a great piece of technology that can facilitate instruction due to the simple fact that it is mobile. Teachers and use these devices to carry around with them around the classroom, school, meetings, as well as easy to take home with them. In addition, these devices can connect to the Internet and it can be easy to access any online tool, software, application, document, eBook, textbook, or presentation of their choosing. For example, Teach to Treat used iPads as rewards for faculty and students in a radiation therapy program in Chattanooga State and showed a great enhancement and learning capacity in the program through the use of a digital library (Turner & Legg 106). Specific Course Software When a classroom is equipped with Internet and computers, teachers can use them to their advantage by integrating specific course software into their lesson plans. By doing so, teachers can let the students learn at their own pace, give teachers time away from having to lecture, and give students another perspective or more practice in the subject that is being taught. Software is becoming more common in classrooms in order to enhance a students learning because it can be readily accessible, easy to track, easy to grade, and allows students to work at their own pace. Some students may require more time to grasp certain concepts and it would allow them to do so. The downside to using course software is the cost that comes with them, many can be very costly to the school and requires certain licenses and permissions. Video Chat and Messaging A more innovative and new technology that has began to enhance learning in many classrooms today is online chatting by video and text. This technology is not only helpful for communication with family and friends, but also very helpful for teachers to communicate with other teachers around the country as well as for students to learn about other cultures and customs. Some teachers are even using video chat in order for students to interview certain people that can answer their questions and enhance their learning in certain areas like careers and research. Video chatting also gives a great alternative to the typical lesson and provides hands on knowledge and exploration into a technology that can be used outside of the classroom. Pros and Cons of using Technology to Facilitate Learning Like discovered by Turner in Legg, “Teach to Treat and the iPad digital library have enhanced the teaching and learning capacity of the radiation therapy program at Chattanooga State while endorsing student engagement, tech savvy, social sharing, and effective education.” Technology has changed the way a typical classroom is run and how students learn and get their information from. It has many benefits, but the one down fall that many students and teacher face is the lack of availability to every student as well as the cost it can have. It is also important to make sure that devices are kept up to date and can also change models and versions as soon as yearly. Wired and Wireless Classrooms Regardless if a classroom is wired or wireless, a classroom with technology and Internet access can be very powerful. A wireless classroom includes handheld, portable devices that can be used freely throughout the classroom as well as outside. A wired classroom is one that has immobile technology like desktop computers as their main resource. Conclusion Technology in an educational setting is very helpful for both the students and teachers in a classroom. It allows more liberty, flexibility, and time saving for teachers to be able to deliver content and students to have fun learning it. References: Hooker, N. H., Shanahan, C. J., Rake, V., Francis, E., Popovich, C., & Dehoney, J. (2009). A Technology-Enhanced Teaching Tool: Tracking Student Adoption and Performance. Review Of Agricultural Economics, 31(4), 963-983. doi:10.1111/j.1467-9353.2009.01475.x Hrepic, Z. (2011). Wireless computers in classrooms: Enhancing interactive physics instruction with Tablet PCs and DyKnow software. Latin-American Journal Of Physics Education, 5(2), 392-401. http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=65560957&site=eds-live&scope=site Ivanović, M., Xinogalos, S., & Komlenov, Ž. (2011). Usage of Technology Enhanced Educational Tools for Delivering Programming Courses. International Journal Of Emerging Technologies In Learning, 6(4), 23-30. http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=79851132&site=eds-live&scope=site Luck, L. T., & Peng, C. F. (2010). Maximizing the Usage of Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning of Science and Mathematics in English Program in the Malaysian Secondary Schools System. Online Submission http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=ED514814&site=eds-live&scope=site Turner, C. S., & Legg, L. D. (2014). Teaching Through Technology. Radiation Therapist, 23(1), 105-106. http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=2012518574&site=eds-live&scope=site Introduction
One of the most important people in a child’s educational experience is their teacher. It is very important that a student gets to know their teacher in order to know what is expected from them, how reliable the information is, as well as for support and guidance throughout the school year. Not only is it important for the students to get to know their teacher, but also important for the parents to get to know the teacher for communication purposes. In my future classroom, I hope to make communication clear and accessible to all of my students and their parents or guardians. Some of the technology that I hope to implement in order to have an open communication in the classroom are a website, email communication, online calendar, and online surveys and discussion forums. Technology to Enhance Communication Classroom Website: My ultimate plan to make it easier for anyone and everyone involved in my future classroom to have a website with easy access and a “go-to” place for any questions as well as reaching me. “Teachers have established web sites for their courses, which contain the syllabus and other course information, lecture notes, demonstrations, homework assignments, exams, solutions, and links to other sites with related information” (Kussmaul np). I don’t want to give students an excuse to not have all the information that they need in order to succeed in the classroom and it would also help to keep parents involved and informed without relying on paper announcements to make their way home. Email: As technology has become more predominant as part of our every day lives, email has grown as one of the most common ways for communication. Email is very easily accessible and can be used as an introductory tool for students to get to know their teacher before hand, communicate and ask questions, and also for the teacher to send out information to all the students in order to ensure everyone has the same information accessible to them (Kussmaul np). Everyone has a busy life and it can be challenging to get a hold of them with number changes, fluctuating schedules, as well as multiple family situations. I plan to use email as one of the main ways to communicate with families to set up face-to-face appointments when necessary and including everyone in the conversation with multiple addresses. In addition, I plan on using email groups to send reminders to the class about important dates, assignments, as well as other updates. Online Calendar: I want to use an online calendar within the classroom website in order to make it easy to view upcoming dates, assignments, as well as possibly set up appointments with parents when it at their best convenience. This tool will be very easy to accessed and once again it would be public and part of the classroom website where I want to make everything available. Surveys and Online Discussions: One section or part of the classroom website that I would really like to integrate is surveys and online discussions. I want to be able to receive feedback from my students in order for them to feel safe and open to expressing any of their concerns to myself as well as with other students. In order for my students to be able to access their peers for support or questions, I want to include an online discussion forum, but set clear expectations and rules about online bullying. Research has shown that students interacting support the communities and uncovers new possibilities for learning (Casey 21). Rather than relying on their own individual ability to communicate on social media websites where teachers may not be able to access, I rather their educational means of communication happen on the classroom discussion that can be easily supervised by parents and myself. Communication Internet Security and Safety When asked, students enjoy and prefer technology as part of their education for the convenience, flexibility, and variety (Wynn 26). Because it is convenient, flexible, and varies it can become a lot harder to control and monitor. The use of a classroom website would only be beneficial if students utilize the website appropriately. An agreement must be made between students and teachers on the use and they should sign their understanding of the website and the rules in order to keep in going along with their parents and guardians. Technology can add the convenience, but should not add any dangers or stress to students, parents, guardians, or the teacher. Concluding Paragraph Communication is one of the most important things in education, and fortunately technology can enhance this and make it much easier for both the student and the teacher. References Casey, G., & Evans, T. (2011). Designing for Learning: Online Social Networks as a Classroom Environment. International Review Of Research In Open And Distance Learning, 12(7), 1-26. http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ963966&site=eds-live&scope=site Kussmaul, C., Dunn, J., & Bagley, M. (1996). Using technology in education: when and why, not how. College Teaching, 44123-126. http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ofs&AN=507527584&site=eds-live&scope=site Wynn, M. F. (2013). STUDENT PERCEPTIONS OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM: A FACULTY AND STUDENT COLLABORATION. Researcher: An Interdisciplinary Journal, 26(3), 21-33. http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=a9h&AN=94391331&site=eds-live&scope=site Yuen Fook, C., Sidhu, G. K., Kamar, N., & Abdul Aziz, N. (2011). Pre-Service Teachers' Training in Information Communication and Technology for the ESL Classrooms in Malaysia. Turkish Online Journal Of Distance Education, 11(3), 97-108. http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ965060&site=eds-live&scope=site |