Technology in the Classroom

It is no secret that technology is becoming more and more prevalent in our everyday lives.  We use cell phones, laptops, tablets, mp3 players, and more, pretty much all day, everyday.  With the use of so much technology in our normal, everyday lives, why not integrate it into our school curriculum?  It is becoming much easier to find ways to integrate all of this technology into the classroom, and it is actually boosting knowledge.  Children are completely immersed in technology, so it is definitely becoming one of the best ways to learn more efficiently.  

According to a study done in the U.K., resources such as interactive whiteboards account for enormous growth in the classroom, both on day-to-day activities, as well as end of year exams.  This is something that the teachers are enjoying, especially due to the great reviews from the students.  Over a span of 3 years, 80% of the students surveyed reported that they could learn new material in mathematics easier.  They also reported that they thought it was due to the impact of the interactive whiteboards.  It made new content easier to remember and understand.

This huge growth in scores wasn't the only upside to the increase in technology. Students suggested that the use of technology made learning more enjoyable, and also made math seem less intimidating.  One of the main reasons for the positive response to technology was the fact that students could really see what was going on. No longer do they have to visualize what is going on in the problem, it is clearly laid out for easier, more efficient learning (Prabhu, 2010).

Another way that technology can be successfully integrated into a classroom, specifically for mathematics, is to make real-world connections.  Children learn much easier whenever they can relate the information to something that they already know.  For example, teachers can make short videos using Animoto, GoAnimate, Voki, etc. in order to introduce a topic in a more visual, real-life scenario.  Making the content of lessons seem more meaningful is an absolute necessity and is made much easier with the use of technology (Blair, 2012).

As far as my own classroom, I will definitely want to integrate technology as efficiently, and successfully as possible.  I think that a lot of teachers do not feel comfortable with the technology, therefore they neglect integrating it properly.  Being educated with technology is a necessity for teachers. 

One of my main focuses will be to develop an interactive, collaborative classroom.  This involves not only the use of technology by the instructor, but the students as well.  If we are learning how to multiply fractions, I will use the interactive white-board to allow the students to really get involved in the lesson.  Children will learn much easier by doing something, rather than watching something, so being interactive is crucial.  

I will also allow time for students to be inventive and creative with their work.  Often times with "concrete" subjects such as mathematics, teachers stick to one method and that is it.  Technology allows students to be creative and find alternative methods, and that is how real learning is achieved.  Students will be able to use tablets or computers to research other ways of doing a certain problem, and then try it out for themselves.  I think this is a great way to really promote an engaging, interactive classroom.  



Sources

Blair, N. (2012). Technology integration for the new 21st century learner. Retrieved from
          http://www.naesp.org/principal-januaryfebruary-2012-technology/technology-
          integration-new-21st-century-learner

Prabhu. M. T. Technology adds to students' math comprehension | eSchool News.
          eSchool News | Retrieved February 3. 2013. 
          http://www.eschoolnews.com/2010/03/17/technology-adds-to-students-math-
          comprehension/2/