Technology to Enhance Instruction
Integrating Instructional Technology
In today’s classroom environment students need an extra push to entice them in the assignments. The best way to get the students engaged is through integrating instructional technology and “many schools have started to use computers and mobile devices in the classroom to enhance the academic performance of students” (Lynch, 2013). Many different types of technology can be used to enhance the learning environment inside the classroom. These can help students understand the assignments more clearly and make them pay attention to what is being told. They can have video presentations sent to them explaining different topics of the assignment. Some of the most common and best devices to use inside a classroom are tablets, computers and phones.
Tablets
Tablets are probably the newest technology to start being implemented into the classroom environment. They are very easy to handle and can be used for a variety of different topics and resources. The tablet can have many different apps downloaded depending on the topic of teaching. Some apps that teachers can download are ones that are like a whiteboard. In these apps teachers can send video presentations or write on the virtual white board and have it instantly show up on each student’s tablet. “We all learn more when we are engaged in learning” (McClanahan, 2014) and the students will be more engaged because they will have visual effects keeping their focus and they can also write on the board and interact immediately with the teacher and other students. In my classroom I will use it to send out interactive apps that we can use like large business does. Each person will be assigned sections of the assignment for the company and upload it to the app for the other students to see. The final part all students will see each other’s work and come together to make the business assignment come together as one.
Computers
Computers are the most used technology currently in schools. They are very efficient and a lot of students and teachers already know how to use a lot of features with it. I can use computers in my future class so that the students can use the classrooms online website to get information about the assignment. Students will then be able to submit their assignments through the website or email. “Technology is ubiquitous in society and the job market favors those who are skilled with it” (McCain, 2009) and using computers enhance their use of software programs and how to upload them to a variety of sources, which will help them in the future when they have real jobs and need to submit work to their bosses.
Phones
Phones are not a device that most teachers will revert too but yet they are probably the most effective for students. Students are always on their phones and they know everything about their phones and how to use them very efficiently. Let’s take their strengths to help them learn in the classroom. There are so many apps that students can download to help them with assignments and ones they already use. An app they already use that some teachers use in the classroom is twitter. Teachers can submit information about an assignments on twitter and students can tweet back about questions. Twitter can be used outside of school as well. “Educators and researchers have examined the importance of connecting instruction to learners’ needs and experiences outside of the classroom to promote engagement and, thus, learning” (Condelli, Wrigley, & Yoon, 2009). Students will be more efficient in understanding the assignment because they can get clarification right away through a source they already understand very well.
Pros and Cons of using Technology to Facilitate Learning
Using technology can definitely help the students learn but can also have some drawbacks as well. The students can learn easier because it’s a more interactive way of receiving information in formats they already use on a daily basis. Students can receive videos and use online games to learn. However, will all good comes some bad and same goes with technology in a classroom. The negative side effects of technology in the classroom is misuse. Students will always try to misuse technology to look up unrelated information to the assignment. Also students might use break or damage the technology that is the schools property. One of the most negative side effects that could happen is if the student does not understand the technology being used inside the classroom. This is not intentional negativity but has the most negative side effect. The students will receive bad grades and possibly fail if they cannot fully understand how to use the technology to either understand the assignment or to complete the assignment. Technology overall in the classroom definitely has a stronger positive impact than negative when used and taught properly. If rules are established and executed properly students can have a more successful future and higher grades through the use of technology inside the classroom.
Wired and Wireless Classrooms
Wired and wireless classrooms both are very important to the learning process for students. A wireless network is used for devices such as tablets and phones in the classroom. Wired devices are used mainly for desktop computers in the classroom. Wireless devices will be very beneficial inside the classroom for group projects. This will allow the students to walk around and communicate more efficiently inside the classroom. Wired devices however are better for research projects because they are a lot faster so students do not have to wait for the device to download information. Both wireless and wired should be used in classrooms so that students can have the best internet service depending on the project. It will allow students to finish projects faster and more efficient allowing more time to learn more information.
Conclusion
Technology and the increase of new devices will always benefit students in the classroom. Teachers should always be learning about new technology and how to implement it safely into a classroom so that the students can take advantage of it and further their education. All classrooms need different types of technology and different types of internet connections to best assist students in research and development. Even though sometimes technology can have a negative effect the positive effect on students will always outweigh the negative and should always be used to further educate students.
References:
Condelli, L., Wrigley, H., & Yoon, K. S. (2009). “What works” for adult literacy students of English as a second language. In S. Reder and J. Bynner (Eds.), Tracking adult literacy and numeracy skills: Findings from longitudinal research (pp. 132-159). New York and London: Routledge.
Lynch, M. (September 2013). K-12 online learning as a life skill. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matthew-lynchedd/k-12-online-learning-as a_b_3997854.html
McCain, M. (2009). The power of technology to transform adult learning: expanding access to adult education & workforce skills through distance learning. Council for advancement of adult literacy. Retrieved from: http://www.caalusa.org/POWER_OF_TECH.pdf.
McClanahan, L. (2014). Training Using Technology in the Adult ESL Classroom. Journal Of Adult Education, 43(1), 22-27.
Integrating Instructional Technology
In today’s classroom environment students need an extra push to entice them in the assignments. The best way to get the students engaged is through integrating instructional technology and “many schools have started to use computers and mobile devices in the classroom to enhance the academic performance of students” (Lynch, 2013). Many different types of technology can be used to enhance the learning environment inside the classroom. These can help students understand the assignments more clearly and make them pay attention to what is being told. They can have video presentations sent to them explaining different topics of the assignment. Some of the most common and best devices to use inside a classroom are tablets, computers and phones.
Tablets
Tablets are probably the newest technology to start being implemented into the classroom environment. They are very easy to handle and can be used for a variety of different topics and resources. The tablet can have many different apps downloaded depending on the topic of teaching. Some apps that teachers can download are ones that are like a whiteboard. In these apps teachers can send video presentations or write on the virtual white board and have it instantly show up on each student’s tablet. “We all learn more when we are engaged in learning” (McClanahan, 2014) and the students will be more engaged because they will have visual effects keeping their focus and they can also write on the board and interact immediately with the teacher and other students. In my classroom I will use it to send out interactive apps that we can use like large business does. Each person will be assigned sections of the assignment for the company and upload it to the app for the other students to see. The final part all students will see each other’s work and come together to make the business assignment come together as one.
Computers
Computers are the most used technology currently in schools. They are very efficient and a lot of students and teachers already know how to use a lot of features with it. I can use computers in my future class so that the students can use the classrooms online website to get information about the assignment. Students will then be able to submit their assignments through the website or email. “Technology is ubiquitous in society and the job market favors those who are skilled with it” (McCain, 2009) and using computers enhance their use of software programs and how to upload them to a variety of sources, which will help them in the future when they have real jobs and need to submit work to their bosses.
Phones
Phones are not a device that most teachers will revert too but yet they are probably the most effective for students. Students are always on their phones and they know everything about their phones and how to use them very efficiently. Let’s take their strengths to help them learn in the classroom. There are so many apps that students can download to help them with assignments and ones they already use. An app they already use that some teachers use in the classroom is twitter. Teachers can submit information about an assignments on twitter and students can tweet back about questions. Twitter can be used outside of school as well. “Educators and researchers have examined the importance of connecting instruction to learners’ needs and experiences outside of the classroom to promote engagement and, thus, learning” (Condelli, Wrigley, & Yoon, 2009). Students will be more efficient in understanding the assignment because they can get clarification right away through a source they already understand very well.
Pros and Cons of using Technology to Facilitate Learning
Using technology can definitely help the students learn but can also have some drawbacks as well. The students can learn easier because it’s a more interactive way of receiving information in formats they already use on a daily basis. Students can receive videos and use online games to learn. However, will all good comes some bad and same goes with technology in a classroom. The negative side effects of technology in the classroom is misuse. Students will always try to misuse technology to look up unrelated information to the assignment. Also students might use break or damage the technology that is the schools property. One of the most negative side effects that could happen is if the student does not understand the technology being used inside the classroom. This is not intentional negativity but has the most negative side effect. The students will receive bad grades and possibly fail if they cannot fully understand how to use the technology to either understand the assignment or to complete the assignment. Technology overall in the classroom definitely has a stronger positive impact than negative when used and taught properly. If rules are established and executed properly students can have a more successful future and higher grades through the use of technology inside the classroom.
Wired and Wireless Classrooms
Wired and wireless classrooms both are very important to the learning process for students. A wireless network is used for devices such as tablets and phones in the classroom. Wired devices are used mainly for desktop computers in the classroom. Wireless devices will be very beneficial inside the classroom for group projects. This will allow the students to walk around and communicate more efficiently inside the classroom. Wired devices however are better for research projects because they are a lot faster so students do not have to wait for the device to download information. Both wireless and wired should be used in classrooms so that students can have the best internet service depending on the project. It will allow students to finish projects faster and more efficient allowing more time to learn more information.
Conclusion
Technology and the increase of new devices will always benefit students in the classroom. Teachers should always be learning about new technology and how to implement it safely into a classroom so that the students can take advantage of it and further their education. All classrooms need different types of technology and different types of internet connections to best assist students in research and development. Even though sometimes technology can have a negative effect the positive effect on students will always outweigh the negative and should always be used to further educate students.
References:
Condelli, L., Wrigley, H., & Yoon, K. S. (2009). “What works” for adult literacy students of English as a second language. In S. Reder and J. Bynner (Eds.), Tracking adult literacy and numeracy skills: Findings from longitudinal research (pp. 132-159). New York and London: Routledge.
Lynch, M. (September 2013). K-12 online learning as a life skill. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/matthew-lynchedd/k-12-online-learning-as a_b_3997854.html
McCain, M. (2009). The power of technology to transform adult learning: expanding access to adult education & workforce skills through distance learning. Council for advancement of adult literacy. Retrieved from: http://www.caalusa.org/POWER_OF_TECH.pdf.
McClanahan, L. (2014). Training Using Technology in the Adult ESL Classroom. Journal Of Adult Education, 43(1), 22-27.