Hey!
Again I am sitting here working on my blog after learning a great deal about presentations. Our topic this week was what is effective technology integration for 21st century learners. For me there are a few main points in effective technology integration. They are appropriate technology use, technology that is easy to use, using technology to enhance learning, using a variety of techniques and using technology that is engaging and that supports curriculum
Appropriate technology use is important in effective technology integration. Teachers must make sure that is appropriate for the students to use. It would not be appropriate to get a grade one student to use a blog. This is something that they are not familiar with and do not have the skills to use. It would not be beneficial or appropriate for them to use. It would be more appropriate to have a grade eleven class use a blog. This is something that the students have the skills to master.
For technology integration to be effective it has to be easy to use. If it is not easy to use or easy to figure out students will get frustrated and not want to try. This is different than before. 21st century learners are much more technology literate and have the skills to be able to figure new technology out. It must also not be too easy. If technology is too easy to use the students will also not want to try.
Effective technology integration is using technology to enhance student learning. It is important because when we are integrating technology we as teachers must make sure that the students will get something out of it. If the students can do something with a pen and paper why make them use technology. When integrating technology there must be a purpose. We cannot use technology just to use technology.
For technology integration to be effective it has to be engaging. 21st century learners are used to a variety of technology. They are continually bombarded by it. For it to be effective in a class teachers must come up with new ways to keep the students engaged. This means that a teacher cannot use the same technique over and over again for every assignment. If a teacher has their students do PowerPoint over and over again they will get board with this and it will not be an effective use of technology.
A fifth way for technology integration to be effective is if the technology supports curriculum. There is a lot a teacher must convey to students and to effectively integrate technology they must support the curriculum. Students may become more engaged with the material that is being presented if they are able to use technology. 21st century learners like to use technology. They will learn more if they are able to use what they like and what they know to enhance what they have to learn.
To go along with this post part of our assignment was to create a presentation based on what is effective technology integration. So here is a link to my PowerPoint. Hope you enjoy!
What is Effective Technology Integration for 21st Century Learners.
View more presentations from jess1394.
Hey Jess!
ReplyDeleteGreat article on integrating technology for 21st century learners. I have found it somewhat difficult to talk about all the great ways on how to integrate technology into schools because of two reasons. Number one being I am still a little bit skeptical of becoming so dependent on technology. I am afraid of classrooms becoming impersonal. My second frustration comes from the fact that I am myself am still learning how to integrate technology into my own learning. I really liked how your article listed so many ways that technology integration can be useful to students. My question for you is how can it be useful to teachers? Do you think if teachers were to integrate technology into their own learning it would lessen their work load or increase it? How important do you think it is for teachers to be technology able themselves? Just some thoughts for you to ponder!
Take care,
Kaitlyn