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Integrating Instructional Technology Technology is everywhere. All around us we have cell phones, computers, laptops, televisions, DVDs, CDs; the list can go on forever. Now, we can even incorporate technology into the classroom, which only seems appropriate with the times we are in. The evolution of technology continues to sky-rocket to new levels every day. But what types of technology can we use in the classroom? The most common technological devices seen in many classrooms are the overhead projectors and televisions with VCR/DVD players (Brill 2007).
While these forms of technology are somewhat outdated, they can still be efficiently used, especially in low budgeted schools that cannot afford the up and coming technological advances. The overhead projectors are great to have to display notes and diagrams so the entire class can see them all at once without the teacher having to write and re-write the notes on a blackboard. And what student never got excited when they heard they were getting to watch a movie in class that day?
Televisions with VCR/DVD players in the classroom are great ways to incorporate movies, television shows and new programs into any lesson, as long as they are used in moderation, of course. Having computers readily available for students is important to integrating technology into a classroom. There are many different computer programs that can be utilized in the classroom to assist with perfecting different skills. There are writing tools, typing programs, and games that can be installed on the computer that students can use to refine their writing, math, typing and reading skills.
Also there are programs to make subjects seem more fun for students, such as science and history, by making it a game. And let us not forget about writing papers and creating projects. With programs like Word Processor and PowerPoint, students have the ability to not only refine their skills, but have the templates and resources to get creative (Brill 2007). These programs have great effectiveness in and out of the classroom. With the invention of the World Wide Web, the internet can also be a great tool to integrate into the classroom.
By having a classroom website, or blog, the teacher can post important reminders about class, as wells as the notes from the lectures, or other resources or refer to when studying for exams. This gives the students the information literally at their fingertips, and there is no room for excuses that they were not aware of an assignment or did not have the notes. There is another form of technology that can be used in the classroom, and it is called Interactive TV (ITV), allowing students at different teaching sites to interact with each other and one instructor at the same time (Li 2010).
The instructor can display the information through the television screen to other students at various locations, and all students are able to take part in discussions and questions, with the ability to hear and communicate together, across the globe. With technology evolving the way it does, university students going into the education field are required to take technology education courses to learn the different tools available to teachers, and how to utilize these tools when they themselves become teachers in a classroom (Wetzel 2008).
These classes allow future educators the chance to learn effective ways to integrate the new technologies into their lessons. These practices are known as TPACK, or Technological Pedagogical and Content Knowledge (Wetzel 2008), and were incorporated due to a lack of understanding how to incorporate new technologies into the classroom. So you see, technology has many great tools to utilize in the classroom, if the right resources present themselves.
Knowing where to look to find these resources is up to the teacher and school. There are many more forms of technology that teachers can use in the classroom, and depending upon the school budget, can be readily available to anyone. How we use them is up to us. References Brill, Jennifer M. , and Chad Galloway. “Perils And Promises: University Instructors’ Integration Of Technology In Classroom-Based Practices. ” British Journal Of Educational Technology 38. 1 (2007): 95-105.
Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Nov. 2011. Li, Chao. “Teaching Lab Intensive Computer Technology Courses In An Interactive TV Classroom. ” Journal Of Technology Integration In The Classroom 2. 2 (2010): 29-44. Education Research Complete. Web. 27 Nov. 2011. Wetzel, Keith, Teresa S. Foulger, and Mia Kim Williams. “The Evolution Of The Required Educational Technology Course. ” Journal Of Computing In Teacher Education 25. 2 (2008): 67-71. Education Research Complete. Web. 27 Nov. 2011.