Technology Use in the Classroom
From work to play, technology has rapidly dominated every aspect of life over the past century. With a general understanding of basic technological advancements becoming a requirement in the work force, it only makes sense to incorporate such machinery into schools. Today, it has even become common to see devices such as iPads present in kindergarten classes.
On Dec. 2, Teresa DeBacker, Professor of Instructional Psychology and Technology, and Anne Beck, Instructional Technology Specialist, hosted an interactive workshop entitled Introduction to Technology for Teaching and Learning Seminar directed toward students enrolled in the Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education at the University of Oklahoma. The seminar was designed to “build an arsenal of teaching skills and help future teachers better understand how to incorporate technology into the classroom”, according to Connor Jackson, a sophomore Early Childhood Education major at OU who attended.
As society finally comes to terms with the fact that all children learn differently, devices such as the iPad make education more personalized. Applications give both students and teachers the ability to be more creative and efficient.
After attending the eight-hour forum, previously offered as a semester-long course at the university, Jackson explains that applications offered through Apple technology make communication with parents much easier and gives them the opportunity to watch their children grow in their education.
“We can communicate with parents, staff, other educators and experts so quickly. I am able to create activities and lessons, search for new ideas and research my needs. The children are able to record and create to show their knowledge,” said Paige Magee, a kindergarten teacher at Jefferson Elementary School in Norman. In regards to time spent utilizing technology, Magee’s students are not active daily. She finds it important to teach social skills which leads her to limit their screen time. “I would say they average 45 minutes a week,” said Magee.
Lisa Barthelme, also a kindergarten teacher at Jefferson, makes computer and iPad use available to her students for two hours each day, but reports that the kids normally only spend about 20 minutes total. She explained further that some kids choose to forgo tech time completely some days.
“I’m still trying to find a balance with using technology in the classroom and truly hands-on other activities. So many of our students already have technology at home and I want it to enhance learning and not be used as a ‘filler’,” said Barthelme.
Jackson acknowledges that there are and will continue to be kinks in the process of integrating technology into the classroom, but says that overall, the world of education is transforming. “It is becoming a society where kids are able to have the most up to date textbooks, access to learning videos and tutorials,” said Jackson. In a world where technology is advancing every single day, why teach kids in methods of the past?
One application in particular called “Explain Everything” was a main point of focus in DeBacker and Beck’s teachings throughout their seminar. Acting as an electronic whiteboard, “Explain Everything” features recording and animation tools that allow kids to watch their teacher work through homework problems or even watch and listen to themselves walk through a process step-by-step. This is the “best kind of learning experience there can be” in Jackson’s opinion.
This type of interactive learning teaches children to be more engaged while also retaining substantially more information. Scholastic explains that critical thinking skills, which are imperative to the development of “analytic reasoning”, are sharpened with hands-on activities that require exploration and decision-making as opposed to “regurgitating memorized information”.
Other apps such as ChatterPix, Green Screen and Notability have been found to be successful in the classroom as a result of their ability to assess student knowledge. “These apps allow children to put what they know into their own words and demonstrations,” said Maddy Wise, a senior Early Childhood Education major. Along with the importance of interactive learning, Wise highlights the unique way in which technology differentiates education techniques.
“Differentiating instruction means to teach according to your students’ needs. A lot of children have an interest in technology, so you can differentiate your instruction by incorporating it into your lessons,” said Wise.
ChatterPix, for example, is an easy-to-use application that allows users to select an animated character, draw a line for a mouth and record a message of their own. There are a variety of ways that this program can be incorporated into an educational setting, such as recording morning announcements, creating a map of a country and giving each state its own voice, having students record bios of famous historical figures, and so much more, according to Audrey Homan, a digital media producer at the Tarrant Institute for Innovative Education.
The Introduction to Technology for Teaching and Learning Seminar encouraged hands-on learning as each attendee was provided with an iPad. During the session, students worked on assignments together to ensure that they felt comfortable using the technology being presented to them and that they would one day be using themselves as teachers. Also, instead of just giving audible instruction, Beck projected her personal iPad onto several television monitors so students had the ability to follow along, step-by-step on their devices. Jackson and his peers also completed an exercise in which they photographed miscellaneous objects around the building and created a robot.
iPad use has become especially useful for children with disabilities as well, who’s learning techniques may differ drastically from others. Jackson speaks from personal experience as his mother is a resource teacher for elementary students who utilize such technology on a regular basis.
With a multitude of benefits surrounding technology use in the classroom, Magee concludes by stating, “I think it is important to monitor and manage use of tech. It is a wonderful opportunity for our children, but we also need to be making sure that they are learning social skills and problem solving skills with other children. They need to be successful in face-to-face communication.”
There is no denying the importance of teaching younger generations how to take advantage of their resources and gain the best education possible. The Introduction to Technology for Teaching and Learning Seminar is a prime example of the way in which education is transforming into a more creative and efficient practice for both students and teachers alike.
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