Technology Integration: Collaboration Between Technology and Teaching
How can educational technology be used to meet the needs and goals of the district, community, teachers, and students?
Technology integration requires careful planning and forethought about what our goals are, how it can help us carry out those goals, and the specific ways we plan to use technology as a teaching tool. Technology integration happens when we consider both the uses of technology and the needs of the learners we want to teach. Technology should not be seen as “the answer,” but as a powerful tool that will allow us to go beyond the traditional methods and engage students in learning.
Technology should support:
Who
Technology can support all types of learners through differentiation. The teacher’s ability to differentiate based on student understanding allows students to move at their own speed with challenging material while allowing other students to learn from peers at an accelerated pace or with easier material.
What
Technology can be used for many different functions within the classroom. Technology can enhance what is taught through activities like video tutorials, demonstrations, interactive games, simulations, and online learning applications. Technology can also give students access to information outside of the immediate classroom environment with electronic books and databases. Technology usage always lends itself towards student engagement.
How
Technology helps teachers meet more needs than they could by themselves because it provides multiple opportunities for learning through new ideas and tools that are accessible on any device (computer, tablet, smartphone). A great example of this is the use of digital storytelling, where students write blogs or create videos rather than writing essays or reports. This allows them to engage in more personalized forms of expression while meeting curriculum goals.
Where
Technology allows learners to have access to information anytime, anywhere. Technology can also help students connect to others with similar interests through digital platforms like Zoom, Google Meet among others. Technology will not replace face-to-face interactions, but it provides another way of engaging with the world around us. Technology helps students explore ideas that are relevant in their world or immediate community while meeting curriculum goals.
When
Technology should be used throughout the school day for any subject area or activity where students will learn something new. Technology is not just for computer classes; it is an exciting tool that can be used in all types of learning environments. Technology should also be integrated throughout the school year, not just during a specific unit or project.
Why
Technology integration is important for student learning because it provides more options for students to engage in meaningful learning within their own interests. Technology allows students to have access to powerful tools that help them organize thoughts, work collaboratively, and share learning with others beyond their direct environment. Technology also gives teachers the opportunity to open doors by providing engaging activities outside of the classroom walls while allowing students time to process information through individual reflection if needed.
Takeaways
Technology can provide opportunities for deeper understanding through a variety of modalities (visual, auditory, hands-on) while encouraging higher-order thinking skills like problem-solving and creativity. Technology integration is not one activity or tool; rather it should be seen as a collection of tools that support our learners throughout the school day across all subject areas. Technology integration allows teachers to meet more needs than they could by themselves because it provides multiple opportunities for learning through new ideas and tools and aids students in exploring ideas that are relevant in their world or immediate community while meeting curriculum goals.
Alfonso Mendoza Jr., M.Ed. is an Instructional Technologist, Instructional Designer, Doctoral Student, Podcaster, and Google Innovator that is passionate about education.
