Teaching with Technology - the future is now.
Designing and planning engaging lessons with technology
The traditional classroom lesson that saw the teacher lecturing and writing while students quietly watching is a thing of the past. Today teachers are reaching out to students like never before. Through the use of technology enriched lessons, teachers are able to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real life application. From videos and pictures to interactive instruction and gaming, students are able to take what they learn on a test drive. While resources are becoming more and more limited from a funding perspective, the virtual world is practically limitless.
"The old way of doing things is presentation-driven; information is delivered and tested. The new way is collaborative, with information shared, discussed, refined with others, and understood deeply. It prepares students to become part of a nimble workforce that makes deccisiions and keeps learning as the workplace changes."(web 2.0, 2007, p. 21) This sharing of information happens at light speed and keeps information current and meaningful.
"The old way of doing things is presentation-driven; information is delivered and tested. The new way is collaborative, with information shared, discussed, refined with others, and understood deeply. It prepares students to become part of a nimble workforce that makes deccisiions and keeps learning as the workplace changes."(web 2.0, 2007, p. 21) This sharing of information happens at light speed and keeps information current and meaningful.
Presenting concepts effectively with technology
A well planned lesson requires the careful integration of technology as a precise learning tool. Because so much information is available, it is easy to overload students with unneccesary information. Further, the use of technology must take into consideration how the information is being presented. It has been well documented that different students learn best in different ways. Similarly, concepts must be presented in different ways even when using technology. In fact, how students learn is at the center of of an effective pedagogy that focuses on student learning. "To help students acquire these skills and become synthesizers means not just providing access to technological tools but also employing the pedagogical tools that are more powerful when combined with technology. When pedagogies and technologies are grounded in how students learn, schools provide the best strategies."(Web 2.0, 2007, p. 37)
Assessing students for learning with technology
Using technology to enhance a lesson requires an understanding of the effectiveness of the technology being used. It also requires that the student's learning is aided, not bogged down by unreliable or needless information. As in traditional teaching, it important to give the students what they need in a format that is comfortable for them. This may require assessing their ability to think critically and navigate through the information that they will encounter. "We turn to cognitive science to understand how the brain functions and how people learn. These scientific approaches have indicated that everyone learns, but schools do not always understand how best to approach each student." (Web 2.0, 2007, p. 37) The same considerations must be given when incorporating technology into the learning process.
Managing classroom and technology use effectively
While technology can have a great impact on student learning, it must be closely monitored. Just as learning can be enhanced through the use of technology, so can it present a distraction to learning where it is not closely linked to the lesson and its concepts. It is critical that each lesson is carefully created and that time and progress are monitored. Simply giving a list of websites and having students explore can be a waste of time. As Web Quests provide a meaning and a purpose to online exploration, limiting access to just selected URLs that enhance student learning, so should all uses of technology in education. "In addition, because students are now contributors as well as consumers of information online, schools have to define their manner of participation and their rights and responsibilities for using school technology."(Web 2.0, 2007, p. 144)
Facilitating engaging learning experiences in the classroom with technology
One of the advantages of new teachers is their familiarity with newer technology and how it can be implemented in the classroom setting. One of the most important aspects of teaching with technology is knowing how and what to use. This makes the process of keeping up with the latest technology an ongoing responsibility for any teacher that wants to provide the highest level of learning for their students. Professional development in this area can include everything from reading about the newest technology to practicing and experimenting. Many school departments now provide training in these areas and work to seek out advancements in technology that can aid in the instruction process. "School districts have adopted several different approaches to perparin their educators for using and learning with technology. Some use a central model in which a wide variety of productivity and workplace skill programs are offered to interested teachers. Others have a requirement that educators attend a certain number of sessions each year."(Web 2.0, 2007, p. 111) Regardless of how they accomplish it, teachers must lead the way in technogical proficiency.
Supporting learning outside the classroom with technology
Just has technology has brought the world into the classroom, so it goes that the classroom can be accessed while out in the world. Classroom websites, blogs and email can provide an opportunity for teacher's to expand the classroom learning well beyond the walls. Taking the time to post useful tools, tips for learning and updates can make work at home easier and more effective. Many students even have mobile devices that allow them access to their class website while they are out or even on vacation. Since the sharing of information can be a powerful learning tool, teachers must encourage students to share their thoughts and ideas even when they are well beyond their classroom. "Blogging is the new way to express oneself and have an authentic audience. The implications for students include writing about issues and thus improving writin skills, learning from each other, thinking through topics thoroughly enought to offer an opinion or add information, peer editing, finding a community of others interested inthe same topic, and becoming confident in sharing what they know." (Web 2.0, 2007, p. 55)
Support diverse learners with technology
Technology can help to provide diverse learners with a more sophisticated and affective learning environment. From ELL students to students with special needs, technological advances have made it easier for these students to adapt to the classroom. Often, diverse learners are given lessons that are specific to their need or disability. Technology allows for the enhancement of these lessons. In fact, many believe that students with disbilities may benefit more from technology than any other student. "Hasselbring (2001) argues that in many cases, "students with disabilities have a greater need for accessing technology than do their non-disabled peers. This may be especially true for those students who ned technology just to function within the school environment, such as students with sensory and physical impairments" (Web 2.0, 2007, p. 163)
References
Solomon, G, Schrum, L, (2007). Web 2.O New Tools, New Schools. Eugene, Oregon: International Society for Technology in Education