Since the passage of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 2001, which mandated the integration of technology in K12 education, technology has been widely incorporated into classrooms around the nation. In 2010, the U.S. Department of Education further emphasized the need for technology integration in K12 by developing a National Education Technology Plan, challenging teachers to become more technologically literate.
- Motivation
- Meaningful and engaging lessons and activities
- Accommodation of learning styles and forms of intelligence
- Participation and interaction
- Real-World Application
- Authentic tasks that relate to real-life situations and require application of what is taught
- Individualization
- Customization of lessons and activities to individual student needs (e.g., learning styles)
- Self-pacing
- Collaboration
- Group activities and projects
- Enrichment
- Use of real-life examples, visuals, and supplemental resources
- Research, problem-solving, and critical thinking
- Remediation
- Review or mastery of previously taught content
IMPACT OF TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION
The emergence of educational technology has compelled many teachers to change the way that they teach and modify their role as teachers. In particular, it has challenged teachers to become more student-centered by transitioning from the more traditional role of leader and controller to that of facilitator and guide. Whereas in teacher-centered classrooms, teachers control the pace and content of the classroom while students are passive participants, in student-centered classrooms, teachers address the needs of students and facilitate numerous experiences that actively involve students in their learning process.
The changing role of teachers has further compelled many teachers to obtain training in order to be more digitally literate and to keep abreast of contemporary trends in teaching and new technological developments.
Technology has also changed the way that students learn by making it possible for them to research information online, create multimedia presentations, collaborate on projects, view YouTube videos and tutorials, and practice skills via online quizzing tools.
Benefits
According to research, educational technology helps teachers to be more effective teachers and it helps students to be more successful students.
Educational technology helps teachers to:
- Be organized and prepared for class
- Address the cognitive styles, learning styles, forms of intelligence, and academic needs of students
- Use a variety of teaching and assessment methods
- Supplement and enrich instruction with online resources, visual examples, and real-life examples
- Actively engage students in the learning process
- Track student progress
- Improve communication between teachers/students and teachers/parents/guardians
- Increase parent/guardian involvement in education
- Remain connected with other professionals in their field
- Increase student access to education via e-learning
Educational technology helps students to:
- Be organized and manage time
- Improve attitudes towards learning
- Be actively involved in the learning process
- Acquire basic and/or advanced academic skills
- Improve their written communication skills
- Develop their technology skills
- Use different sensory channels and forms of intelligence to master concepts
- Problem-solve and think critically
- Remember concepts
- Improve their academic performance
- Prepare for the workforce
REFERENCES
Edutopia. (2012). An introduction to technology integration. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/d59eG1_Tt-Q
Maloy, R., Verock-O'Loughlin, R., Edwards, S., & Park Woolf, B. (2017). Transforming learning with new technologies (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Smith, C. (2016). Benefits of technology in the classroom. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/BciMUbcDFms
U.S. Department of Education. (2002). Part D of Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 2001: Enhancing education through technology. Retrieved from https://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg34.html
U.S. Department of Education. (2010). Transforming American education: Learning powered by technology. National Education Technology Plan. Washington, DC: Office of Educational Technology.
