Vision Statement
Technology has become a necessity in the classroom; as students enter their educational careers starting in the first grade they already have experiences with technology. Most middle to high school students come in with expectations of using similar or better forms of technology then they may have at home. The debates that are common around the discussion of education are technology integration, what purpose does it serve and where does the money come from to pay for it? The education I have received from the M. E. T. program at Boise State University has helped answer those questions.
The integration of technology in the classroom is essential to the growth and success of our young students in their educational careers and professional careers outside of school. As the global market shrinks it creates an even greater gap between those that do understand and use technology to those that do NOT understand and use technology. Through the courses at BSU I've learned of and used many resources that are free or very cost effective for integrating into education. These resources are readily available to anyone with an Internet connection.
Integrating technology into classroom instruction means more than teaching basic computer skills and software programs in a separate computer class. Effective tech integration must happen across the curriculum in ways that research shows deepen and enhance the learning process (Edutopia, 2011).
The goal of this website is educate my 8th and the grade students in the use of technology in a way that it will create a collaborative environment in my classroom and in the students educational experiences beyond my classroom. The objectives of this website is also to engage the students, encourage the students, build on the students self confidence, and develop greater technological understanding of the tools and resources available to them to solve problems.
Technology allows for student collaboration outside the classroom, across boarders, and seas. The collaboration creates a sense of a smaller world where students can become familiar with other students and their customs regardless of their location. The collaboration technology builds the student’s confidence in communicating with peer’s in group projects that require in-depth research and analysis.
The use of technology in the classroom is a motivational tool that engages students in the instruction of a lesson. It is not the technology itself but rather how the technology is used. When technology is applied to a lesson in a meaningful way that enhances the instruction and learning the students become engaged and motivated. Learning through the use of technology creates a higher level of thinking and problem solving ability, the technology is a catalyst for developing greater intellectual thinking.
Most educational technology experts agree, however, that technology should be integrated, not as a separate subject or as a once-in-a-while project, but as a tool to promote and extend student learning on a daily basis (Education World, 2011).
Technology can be source for encouragement and self-confidence. All students have a different way of learning and sometimes the use of a technology-based project is just the way to get a student to shine. By the student having the opportunity to showcase their developed talent that was acquired through resources outside the classroom the teacher and other students are able to witness a talent that may not have ever been seen. This also builds the students confidence level for creating new projects and engaging the student at the same time.
References:
Roblyer, M.D., Doering, A.H. (2010). Integrating educational technology into teaching, fifth edition. Boston, Massachusetts: Pearson Education, Inc
http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech146.shtml
The integration of technology in the classroom is essential to the growth and success of our young students in their educational careers and professional careers outside of school. As the global market shrinks it creates an even greater gap between those that do understand and use technology to those that do NOT understand and use technology. Through the courses at BSU I've learned of and used many resources that are free or very cost effective for integrating into education. These resources are readily available to anyone with an Internet connection.
Integrating technology into classroom instruction means more than teaching basic computer skills and software programs in a separate computer class. Effective tech integration must happen across the curriculum in ways that research shows deepen and enhance the learning process (Edutopia, 2011).
The goal of this website is educate my 8th and the grade students in the use of technology in a way that it will create a collaborative environment in my classroom and in the students educational experiences beyond my classroom. The objectives of this website is also to engage the students, encourage the students, build on the students self confidence, and develop greater technological understanding of the tools and resources available to them to solve problems.
Technology allows for student collaboration outside the classroom, across boarders, and seas. The collaboration creates a sense of a smaller world where students can become familiar with other students and their customs regardless of their location. The collaboration technology builds the student’s confidence in communicating with peer’s in group projects that require in-depth research and analysis.
The use of technology in the classroom is a motivational tool that engages students in the instruction of a lesson. It is not the technology itself but rather how the technology is used. When technology is applied to a lesson in a meaningful way that enhances the instruction and learning the students become engaged and motivated. Learning through the use of technology creates a higher level of thinking and problem solving ability, the technology is a catalyst for developing greater intellectual thinking.
Most educational technology experts agree, however, that technology should be integrated, not as a separate subject or as a once-in-a-while project, but as a tool to promote and extend student learning on a daily basis (Education World, 2011).
Technology can be source for encouragement and self-confidence. All students have a different way of learning and sometimes the use of a technology-based project is just the way to get a student to shine. By the student having the opportunity to showcase their developed talent that was acquired through resources outside the classroom the teacher and other students are able to witness a talent that may not have ever been seen. This also builds the students confidence level for creating new projects and engaging the student at the same time.
References:
Roblyer, M.D., Doering, A.H. (2010). Integrating educational technology into teaching, fifth edition. Boston, Massachusetts: Pearson Education, Inc
http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech146.shtml