Picciano states that the concept that knowledge is power should not be viewed negatively (pg. 53). Technology in action can provide both students and teachers with knowledge. This section really focused on the uses of technology in the classroom. I have summarized my beliefs on that based upon what I felt that I got out of reading this section of the textbook.
Technology allows today’s students to be active and participatory learners. Technology provides teachers with a method to engage students in a way that traditional educational products cannot always do. Technology offers multimedia rich content, it is interactive, dynamic - as opposed to static, and it can be individualized. I believe instructional technology is changing education especially when it is multimodal because it is exciting for students to use and pedagogically more stimulating than other traditional methods of instruction, however teachers must be trained effectively on how to utilize technology with efficacy and fidelity in the classroom if it is to benefit our students.
Keeping students connected to the real world is essential in the learning environment. When students are able to incorporate real world experiences into any learning endeavor, they are more likely to retain the information. Technology provides the means of providing hands on experiences to the learning process and experimentation. Furthermore, I believe that the benefits of utilizing technology in the classroom have the potential of transcending beyond the classroom. If students engage in an education that provides more challenges, more engagement, and more life skills, they become more prepare to face the real world. Likewise, I feel teachers can gain more enthusiasm, competence and confidence in their teaching ability and work ethics and in their students’ abilities as well if they utilize the instructional and educational technologies that are available for use.
Howard Gardner’s research in the area of multiple intelligences suggests that all students learn things in different ways. According to Picciano, his theory also establishes a theoretical framework for using multimedia technology in education. As teachers and/or future teachers we need to investigate how students learn; we need to be open to the use of technology in the classroom to reach and support the distinctive learning styles and strengths of the student’s that we teach or will teach. This will make learning more memorable to each individual student. Furthermore, I feel that if teachers implement both the theory of multiple intelligences and technology, students may have more of an opportunity to find their classroom experiences stimulating and motivating.
Hi Michelle
ReplyDeleteI agree how technology can change a stagnant lesson into a more exciting interactive and dynamic lesson. There are new applications that can enhance any type of lesson. I discovered a new application that displays science concepts in 3D. For examples, DNA strands and Cell images are shown in 3D. Although science teachers can display these images in adequate pictures, 3D adds that sparkle to make the lesson stimulating for students who have become a more multimedia generation (Picciano, 2011).
There are also many ways that technology can bring hands on experience into the classroom. I discovered a free website that lets you create cartoons that you can publish for free. Students can be given the opportunity to present what they know in a new innovative way. As educators, we need to find ways to bring technology into our classrooms whether our schools help us or not. There is a wealth of knowledge and information on the web to help educators learn how to do this.
Education is indeed changing and advancing toward technology in the classroom, leading onto independent studies known as long distant learning. While it’s true what Picciano states that knowledge in technology should not be taken negatively; one must explore both sides. Technology has its positives and negative sides which should be considered before forming an opinion whether it be positive or negative. The question surfaces as to whether technology is more beneficial than deficient in classroom instruction, specifically in school curriculums?
ReplyDeleteThough students become active and participatory learners, one must consider several factors that technology presents in the classroom setting. While it’s true that students engage more in learning through the use of dynamic and multimedia technology as opposed to traditional classroom methods, teachers are still considered vital. Teacher should be proficient in using technology in providing students with practical world wide applications in preparing them for the real world where technology control many functions in societies.
I agreed that students supervised and guided by teachers become proficient and knowledgeable in technology become independent life learners. However, not all students become confident and competent skillful learner through technology alone. These students experience problems with self pace learning which occur in long-distance learning which requires a certain amount of maturity in high school students. Long- distance learning requires self-directed learning, self paced study and personal responsibility in completing assignments and projects. High school students in order to learn must be self-motivated, responsible and independent learners in order to participant in long distant- learning courses.
References
Bender, T. 2003. Discussion-Based online teaching to enhance student
learning: Theory, practice and assessment. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publications.
National Research Council (U.S.) Committee on Learning Research and
Educational Practice. 2000. How people learn: Brain, mind, experience, and
school: Expanded edition. Washington, DC: National Academy Press.
Educause 2007. "Teaching and Learning." Retrieved April 17, 2007 from
http://www.educause.edu/content.asp?page_id=645&parent_id=107&bhcp=1
eLearn Magazine. 2006. “Education and Technology in Perspective.”
Retrieved April 17, 2007 from http://www.elearnmag.org/
The Texas Education Network. (2007). "Professional Resources for all
Educators." Retrieved April 17, 2007 from http://www.tenet.edu/profrec/technology.html