Technology Integration in Education

Response #1- Multimedia Projects for Technology-Rich Classrooms (Varrati, Richard)

"Teachers and students are incorporating technology with their learning experiences with PRIDE and SATISFACTION. You can see it on their faces and in the results of their assignments, reports and projects."

The above quote has a lot of discussion points within it:

1. Teachers at the New Philadelphia City schools have been provided with technology and professional development to learn the systems they are teaching the students: Many schools throughout America do not have access to education or technology. Even within our school district we have inequitable access to technology- Smart boards in one school to chalk/eraser boards in others. The feasibility and usefulness is dependent on the school's technology equipment and education they received. Luckily, within the Corvallis School district there is free and sometimes paid technology education for all staff.

2. Teachers have less time to teach, due to state and federal test time, therefore technology is great because it is able to SPEED up the process steps within a project: What normally would be assigned as homework, can now be quickly completed by using technology devices. Teachers and students are able to receive instant feedback, which speeds up the teaching process. Many times the tools are helpful in classroom management issues because of high interest and ease of technology. For example, for some kids filling out a graph is tedious and difficult, but with the computer it is accomplished quickly and beautifully.

3. Students are able to get immediate results and provide powerful 'showings' of their projects.

4. Teachers are able to capture students at work and ADVERTISE what their class is doing and accomplishing. During a PE conference, one of the presenters talked about using technology within the classroom as a way to promote one's PE program. Many times the PE teacher needs to advertise how successful their class is in order to receive donations, grants or additional funds for their program.

Feasibility issues:
1. In the article, they talked about using PDA's for their science project. One difficulty I found was that when taken outside, a person cannot see the screen on the PDA. This makes it very difficult as a PE teacher who is often outside.
2. In PE, it is suggested to use digital cameras and video recorders. This is great if a teacher has adult helpers who can manage the technology, or trained students. However, a PE teacher adds the variable of multiple balls and other flying devices that could hit and destroy the equipment. I think if a teacher was careful on when and how it was used it could work, but it is still risky.

3. I loved how the article talked about using the LCD projector. This is a new piece of technology our school is hoping to get. I think this projector is a fabulous tool for special education and ESOL teachers because you can place anything under the projector. Out goes the overhead and in comes a book, Petri dish, you name it!

Are Outcomes worth the effort and is there a better way to accomplish desired outcomes?

I think if the teacher is trained and familiar with the technology then it is a great way to teach. Integrating technology within any subject area benefits everyone. The student gains skills, the teacher can increase speed and interest and many times paper and other supplies can be reduced to a minimum.