Why integrate technology into your classroom? Why not! The benefits are myriad, but the main reason to incorporate classroom technology is that today’s students learn more from it. A comprehensive study done by researchers at Alabama A&M University notes: “Technology can never replace the human mind, but it can help expand it. [T]eachers have a critical role – teaching students how to use technology as a tool to help, rather than hinder, their learning.” Technology never replaces the teacher; it is just one more tool in the toolbox – and a powerful one at that.
There may be debate as to what teachers should include in their lessons, but the bottom line is that as students progress through the grades and go to college or the work force, they will need the skills to thrive. And invariably these skills deal with technology. Here are just a few reasons to incorporate various media and technology:
· It helps teach planning, reasoning, and critical thinking skills.
· It helps facilitate authentic communication.
· It helps improve decision-making.
· It fosters creativity.
· It prepares them for the challenges ahead.
Technological skills are no longer “nice to have.” Rather, they are a necessity. You don’t have to teach technology per se in order to reap the benefits. Instead, using a simple tool, such as a video, allows you to integrate classroom technology in an effective way. A study by the Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology found that students showed improvement in the following areas:
· Content area learning
· Higher level thinking skills
· Problem solving skills
An important study, “The Future of Children: Children and Computer Technology,” found that when teachers used media, including video, effectively, students were more actively engaged, participated better in groups, and interacted more in class. Teachers were also able to reach more students, and that is key in helping each child succeed in the classroom.
Chances are that you already incorporate technology into your lessons in some way. Many teachers incorporate internet research into current events lessons; others may check the weather online with their students as part of a morning routine; still others stream videos on anything from presidential debates to sight words. There is no shortage of ways to incorporate digital medial into your lessons. For tips on getting started, click here. And good luck! This is an exciting time in education, and technology is a great tool.
Tags: classroom technology