Session 2 Pros and Cons "Technology & Curriculum in Education"

Technology and Curriculum in Education

            Over the last decade, integration of technology into the classroom has grown exponentially. With the introduction of one, two or more computers in the classrooms, as well as the use of computer labs, wireless mobile labs, and interactive whiteboards, teachers today have access to tools that can promote depth and change in students’ achievements in the classroom (Gunter, etc. 24).

            Benefits of technology in the classroom include encouraging the students to think not only in words and pictures, but also in colors, sounds, and animations (Gunter, etc. 220).  At an early elementary age, it’s been my experience that students are more “visual/kinesthetic” learners (especially boys). By utilizing technology in this manner, the teacher is able to shape the lessons in a manner that aligns with the best way to teach the curriculum to the class.

            I tend to agree with what researchers uncovered in the Robert Marzano article “The Art and Science of Teaching”; There are some drawbacks to watch out for when incorporating technology in the classroom, including not organizing the content well, relying too much on the “bells & whistles” of technology (for example; using too many visuals), and most importantly, when incorporating a feature such as when the students are using the hand-held voting tools; The researchers found that “oftentimes” the teacher does not follow up with the results of the voting; If a student chose the incorrect answer, why did they make the choice? Did they comprehend the material? Was the material taught in a way that best aligns with how the student learns? (Marzano). 

            Although technology has been a part of the curriculum in the school system for a number of years now, I believe we are still in the “honeymoon” phase; Special care and attention must be observed when incorporating technology into the classroom: We must balance the “novelty” of the medium while at the same time, use it to achieve the desired results, as mandated by benchmarks such as the newly-incorporated “Common Core Standards” (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction).

References

Gunter, Gunter, Shelly “Integrating Technology in A Connected World”. Seventh Edition. Cengage. Boston. 2010. Print

Marzano, Robert J. “The Art and Science of Teaching/ Teaching with Interactive Whiteboards”. Multiple Measures Pages 80-82, Volume 67, Number 3. November 2009. www.ascd.org. Web. Retrieved October 16, 2013

Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. “Common Core Standards”. July 2011. www.k12.wa.us.corestandards. Web. Retrieved October 16, 2013