Posted by blucas in Uncategorized

Posted by blucas in Educational Technology

Why is technology important in the classroom?  Can you make a cake without a hand mixer?  Can you draw up house plans without a CAD program?  Sure you can… but why would you?  Teachers have new and exciting tools available to them to help them improve student learning.  Many of these new tools are in the area of technology.  There is an abundant amount of research that shows technology can improve student achievement.   So if this is true, why aren’t some teachers embracing the new tools available?  One reason may be because, in some educational arenas, technology is still considered a separate subject area.  A specific time of the day is set aside where the classroom shifts from learning math to learning computers.  We need to change our thinking from “teaching computers” to “teaching with computers”.  Instead of having “computer time” it is time to integrate the use of the computer into math time or reading time.Why?Here are a list of reasons that technology should be integrated into the classroom.

1. Using technology involves the student in the learning process. Students using technology become active participants in the learning process instead of passive listeners.
2. Using technology eliminates most discipline problems. When the student is involved in the work, there is little time for trouble.
3. Using technology allows students to take ownership of the project. When the student is empowered to find his/her own answers, the learning process becomes much more interesting.
4. Using technology transforms the teacher from authority expert to facilitator.The teacher becomes more of a participant than authority expert when the students use technology to find answers online.
5. Using technology is familiar to today’s students. Technology use is part of the normal learning process for students; it is in their “comfort zone” and teachers often learn new technology programs along with students.
6. Using technology reduces the workload on the teacher. Technology as a tool enhances, and replaces, text, paper and pencil because students can use technology for both reference and presentation.
7. Using technology allows for a smooth transition from school to work and school to college . Technology is used everywhere - in math, science, engineering, transportation, manufacturing, and every business application you can think of. From sales transactions and inventory control, to e-commerce, the uses for technology are limitless.
8. Using technology allows for the free exchange of information. The widespread use of compatible word processing and graphic software programs allow information to be exchanged easier than ever before.  Techlearning.com