Technology+Belief

Oliver Abbott Lanna Ray Kayla Ransom Samantha Laney

Technology Belief Questions

1. Yes, we all believe that technology should be used in the classroom, but as a supplement to traditional teacher instruction. Students need to develop various motor skills as well as interpersonal abilities, which might be stunted if technology is relied upon too much.

2. There are various benefits to using technology in the classroom. Essentially, technology provides more options in reaching the students and keeping their attention. Also, raising students with a firm grasp of technology provides them with real world training which they will utilize as adults, a sense of accomplishment and greater self-esteem when they experience success, a more stimulating method of learning, and a fun way to spend a school day.

3. Some of the drawbacks we see with using technology in the classroom include the demanding need to keep up on current technology, the high costs of maintaining equipment and software, the risk of students being distracted by technology and abusing it, and the potential stunting of social development and imagination.

4. The biggest barrier we worry about with using technology as teachers is the ever-present potential for the technology to fail or malfunction. For example, it seems that Smart Boards fail as often as they work and we worry about building a lesson plan around technology and then having it not work once we get into the classroom. Also, there is pressure to stay up to date on any recent developments in technology.

5. The two goals we have to overcome our barriers are to gain experience with the technology and, as a result, confidence in our ability to use the technology and troubleshoot any problems that might arise and also to become familiar with various media sources and types of programs/technology to have back-up plans if any one program or method should fail.

Article Summaries:

Computers in Early Childhood Education- Exposure to technology has changed the way our minds work and children of all ages can benefit from access to technology. However, the access should be controlled and not overused.

Effects of Technology in the Classroom- Teachers and students both can benefit greatly from using technology available to them in the classroom. Students can feel a sense of achievement and success as they master various technologies, but teachers should not abandon their duty as instructor.

Math that Matters: Schools Embrace the iPad- While iPads are an expensive luxary that many school districts can't afford, many schools are realizing their potential to stimulate students' minds in ways previously unknown. Their compact size and access to countless applications make them a valuable supplement to in-class instruction.

media type="custom" key="12139890" width="160" height="160" align="center" Conclusion: We are all excited about the prospect of learning new ways to supplement our instruction and make the learning experience of our students more interesting, with real-world application. We agree that technology can be useful and beneficial in the classroom, but only when used in moderation and that it should not completely replace traditional teaching methods which have worked for generations.