1130-100+Class_Team+2

Importance of Technology ﻿in the Classroom
__Introduction __
 * Implementation of technology in educational settings has become a critical component of the methods and strategies teachers use to instruct their students. Within the last five years, the use and accessibility of technology has increased rapidly along with other major advancements in technology. Now, educators have the opportunity to use SMART Boards, Elmos, online teaching tools, software, and they have computers and electronic devices for every student. Those are just a few of the many resources available to schools; all of which aid students with the learning process. Although some people criticize technology as being a distraction it has the potential to increase motivation, help students make academic gains, obtain necessary skills, and give them a broader view of the world. **

__Types of Technology in the Classroom __ == == ====Today there are many different types of technology that are used in a classroom. One type is a SMART Board. Teachers are putting away their chalkboards in favor of using a more high-tech form of instruction, the SMART Board. For students the SMART Board is a fun, visual learning method. This is a hands-on method of learning. SMART Boards do not require supplies like markers or erasers. They can be used by the touch of a finger. A SMART Board is connected to a personal computer or a lab top and projector. Teachers can type up their lessons on the computer and show the information on the SMART Board. The SMART Board is connected to the Internet providing more learning opportunities for students. According to Mitchell (2011) “The SMART Board is putting a wow-factor in learning that teachers say is making a big difference in the classroom.” ====

Computers are another type of technology tool used in a classroom. Computers can benefit both the teacher and students. Teachers and students can use computers for Microsoft Office programs such as PowerPoint, Word, and Excel. PowerPoint is a program that teachers can use to help teach any subject. Word is a program that can be used by students to type up a paper for a class. Teachers and students can use computers to gain access to the internet. The internet can be used for many things such as research, e-mail, and websites. Students can look up research for a project they are working on or use the internet for blogging and ePals. Many schools have a school website where teachers, students, and parents have access to it to check out information about the school, sports, and news. Tiffany said (2010) "Using PowerPoint and a projector instead of an overhead and lecture notes is another use of technology that allows me to spice up my lectures. I can include pictures, sounds, sound bytes, and music to enhance the information I present.”

Many people with disabilities are breaking barriers through the use of technology. For some individuals with disabilities, adaptive technology is a necessary tool that enables them to engage in or perform many tasks. According to Sagstetter, "Adaptive technology provides creative solutions that enable individuals with disabilities to be more independent, productive, and included in society and community life. Without technology supports and accommodations, many significantly disabled students cannot take full advantage of their education."

__History of a New Concept/Tool __ The use of technology in the classroom has changed dramatically in past years. In 1993, it was recommended that computer science be a requirement for high school graduation. Meaning that “all high school graduates should understand the computer as an information computation and communication device and be able to use the computer in the study of the other Basics” (Education Development Center, 2003). Now, as part of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, it is recommended that “by eighth grade all students should be technologically literate and it repeatedly references technology as an important source of support for teaching and learning across the curriculum” (Education Development Center, 2003). In that eighteen year span, education has gone from requiring a basic understanding of computers by high school graduation to being considered “technologically literate” by the eighth grade. The number of computers in the classroom is a major change currently taking place. We have gone from having little internet access in schools (35% of schools and 3% of classrooms connected in 1994) to having 77% of all classrooms in the country connected to the internet” (Education Development Center, 2003). This increase could be because of schools turning to students having individual school owned laptops. Schools have not only increased technology in the classroom through computers, but also through SMART Boards, projectors, e-mail, websites, and Powerpoint presentations. Some veteran teachers find it difficult to transition into the newer technology. Teachers used to send newsletters home with students, report cards through the mail, and made phone calls home. Although some teachers might still be doing this, more and more teachers are communicating through e-mail or web pages, and grades are available online. Teachers use digital cameras to “integrate photographs into web pages and newsletters. They continue to update their class websites to share class activities with everyone at home” (www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech192.shtml). Technology in the classroom has been and will continue to rapidly advance. This video will show you how far technology in the classroom has come in the past 100 years.

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__Advantages and Disadvantages __ //Advantages: // Some believe that incorporating technology in the classroom will be expensive. We’ll for some major items such as Smart Boards, new computers, and iPads, it would seem costly. However, using these items would cut back on paper and writing materials which would be a huge help not only for students and teachers but for the school districts themselves. Technology also serves as a motivation for students. According to the online article by Linda Starr, How Teachers View Technology, a survey called the Teachers Talk Tech was conducted to form ideas of how teachers view technology. This survey, “found that teachers view computers as a valuable teaching tool that can improve students' academic performance and attention in class, while strengthening the lines of communication with parents.” Teachers do believe in the power of technology and the skills it helps students to acquire. Many other teachers expressed that the use of computers in the classroom have helped overall classroom performance, attention spans and completion rates. Teachers have stated that their students would like to miss recess in order to do their online activities. Motivation for students is a great skill for students to acquire and technology can help, so why not use it?

//Disadvantages: //
====Even though the implementation of technology in the classroom allows teachers to expand the realm of education, it can also create barriers. According to writers John Nworie and Noela Haughton (2010), from the educational technology journal, TechTrends <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, the increase of technology is, “leading to new classes of disruptions and distractions in both virtual and face-to-face instructional situations” (p.53). The idea of incorporating technology into classrooms may be noble, but it can cause unintentional negative effects. Use of laptops, cell phones, iPads, and other electronic devices in the classroom may inadvertently serve as a distraction to students instead of functioning as learning tools. Adoption of such devices may result in students doing non-class related activities, such as perusing their Facebook page, texting, and visiting unapproved websites. It can also provide students with another way to bully their peers and socialize during instruction. If cell phones were to be used in the classroom, students could use them to cheat by taking pictures of exam answers & questions. They could also pose as another student when completing online assignments and assessments. Additionally, students might view teacher posted podcasts instead of attending their mandatory classes. ====

====<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">All of the mentioned distractions have already occurred in classrooms across the United States. However, through effective classroom management and the monitoring of technology usage, educators could limit and perhaps eliminate the doubts and distractions that have been associated with educational technology. Doug Johnson (2008), author of “Taming the Chaos,” an article from <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Learning & Leading with Technology <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, created four guidelines to help teachers manage distractions caused by technology in the classroom. John stated that educators could, “Do Business as Usual” (p.21), meaning the structure of the classroom and ethics practiced would not change. Johnson also said the teachers have the right to “Limit the Use of Technologies” (p.21), and can do so by enacting new class expectations and standards. He also mentioned that teachers could “Enhance Traditional Practices” (p.21), by using technology to improve traditional methods already in place. The final methods Johnson stated was to “Use the Technology to Restructure the Educational Process” (p.22), which would involve the educator making numerous changes in the way they teach. ====

__<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 190%;">Future of Technology __ <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 36pt; vertical-align: baseline;">The future of technology in the classroom is innate. The advances that we have made are here and ready for use today, so why not use them? The classroom is going paperless or from what we can see a less of a dependence on paper or writing materials. According to the article, Classroom Technology for the Future, “Technology is a part of today's world. In order to prepare students for the world, they need to be exposed to the latest technologies on a daily basis in classrooms. Computers, projectors, Elmos, and SMART boards are some current technologies available for classrooms. Tomorrow may bring new technologies, built off of those existing today.” We know that technology is constantly expanding and doubling every year and a half. The you tube video below called, Did you know can help illustrate some of the ways technology and our world is changing. This video shows that our world is developing and it is our job to make sure our students are changing with our developing world.

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__<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 190%;">Conclusion __ <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 125%;">Incorporating technology into schools and classrooms is an important topic in today’s world. It is beneficial in many ways for teachers and students to have the newest technology available. It broadens children’s thinking and makes almost any tool or information available to them. For teachers, it is a way to adapt lessons to fit any subject and the different students needs. As for what the future holds, the sky is the limit. Teachers will continue to adapt to new forms of technology in their classrooms. This page should give you an idea of how much technology has changed in years past, where it’s going from here, and possible advantages and disadvantages to incorporating technology into the classroom.

__<span style="color: #800080; font-family: Impact,Charcoal,sans-serif; font-size: 190%;">References __ ** [] **
 * Classroom technology for the future (n.d.). **In //Meeting Tomorrow//. Retrieved February 10, from

Culp, K. M., Honey, M., & Mandinach, E. (2003, October). A Retrospective on Twenty Years of Education Technology Policy. In U.S. Department of Education. Retrieved February 8, 2011, from []

Johnson, D. (2010). Taming the Chaos. Learning & Leading with Technology, 38(3), 20-23. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Mitchell, S. (2011). Information on SMART Boards. Retrieved February 10, 2011, from []

Nworie, J., & Haughton, N. (2008). Good Intentions and Unanticipated Effects: The Unintended Consequences of the Application of Technology in Teaching and Learning Environments. TechTrends: Linking Research and Practice to Improve Learning, 52(5), 52-58. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Sagstetter, M. (n.d.). Benefits of Assistive Technology. Retrieved February 10, 2011, from []

Starr, L. (2003, October 22). How teachers view technology. In Education world. Retrieved February 10, 2011, from []

Starr, L. (2004, May 19). The Changing Face of Classroom Technology. In Education World. Retrieved February 8, 2011, from[| www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech192.shtml]

Starr, L. (2010, September 22). Technology integration: Ideas that work. Retrieved February 10, 2011, from []