Years ago access to technology in schools was limited. One of the nation’s top priorities was to have schools wired and internet ready. After decades of hard work most schools have vastly improved their technology programs. According to the Secretary's Fourth Annual Report on Teacher Quality (NCEE, 2005), virtually every school with access to computers have internet access, compared to only the thirty five percent in 1994. Most public schools today have made a commitment to incorporate technology in their classroom lessons.
When most people think of technology based teaching and learning they automatically think of computers. Computers are an important component, yet many different types of technology can be used to support and enhance the learning process. For instance, everything from video content and digital movie making to laptop computing and handheld technologies (NCREL, 2005). Some forms of technology are so simple that they are often forgotten. For example television, calculators, overhead projectors, headphones and cassette players, walkee talkee, microphones, pencil sharpeners, and clocks. These are all forms of technology that are vital to the classroom.
I am sure that most educators understand and cater to the fact that each learner has their own unique style of learning. Some students are more hands on learners, therefore including technology in a lesson would help them because these students will be able to touch and maneuver different objects. (Punching the keys on the keyboard, moving the mouse, and working the overhead on their own) The students that are more visual learners will have a chance to view different materials in other forms. (Slide shows, movies, and internet pictures) The students that are more shows, movies, and internet pictures) the students that are more of auditory learners have the option of listening to stories and when needed they can review or replay the instructions.
Not only does technology help students that are in mainstream classroom but it also helps Students at Risk. These students that tend to be a "behavioral problem" or labeled “At Risk" are those that seem to come from disadvantage backgrounds. By add technology into their class they will be able to do more memory-based and remedial activities. Technology also helps the second language learners and students with disabilities. (NCREL, 2005) It can present information in multiple formats and multi-media. It offers these students many ways to express and demonstrate what they have learned and provides different entry points to engage students’ interest and motivate quality learning. Adding technology to a classroom setting benefits all types of student learners.
Looking at technology from a teacher perspective, it truly helps when running a classroom. To begin, computers have help to cut down on a teacher’s workload. We can input grades into a computer, make progress reports/report card and save them in each child electronic file, and email parents. Teachers can also complete lesson plans, send in-house emails to other teachers and have extra resources when teaching class. (USEPA, 2009) Some school districts have even gotten new system called smart boards. This is when the students are capable to work interactively along with the teacher. It can record the choices that the student made and report them back to the teacher. Technology can help teachers run their classroom smoothly and effectively.
Work cited
National Council on Economic Education. New York.2005. http://www.ncee.net.
National Central Regional Education Laboratory. Critical Issues: Using Technology to Improve Student Achievement.2005. http://www.ncrel.org/sdrs/areas/issues/methods/technlgy/te800.html
United States Environmental Protection Agency. Six Steps to Better Files: Applying Technology to Records Management.2009. Http://www.epa.gov/records/tools/toolkits/6steps/6steps-05.htm.
