Vision Statement
As technology continues to become a major factor in the way humans grow, communicate, and share ideas it is becoming increasingly significant to the 21st century learner. Additionally, children are beginning to be exposed to technology at younger ages opening a platform of learning that previously was less known. As the potential for learning and development through the incorporation of technology in the classroom continues to increase, teachers, administrators, and parents are being forced to think differently about the traditional methods of teaching. Teachers and administrators must now learn how to effectivity integrate technology with the required standards and curriculum. Similarly, parents are finding the need to stay current with technology in order to better assist their children in the learning process. As a result of these needs all participants must work together towards creating a shared vision about the use of technology within the classroom and what it takes for 21st Century learners to be successful.
Longstanding research indicates that effectively integrating technology into the classroom increases student engagement and achievement (Baran, 2014). It also is beneficial to teachers by improving their technology integration skills, connecting learning to the community, providing personalized learning experiences, presenting alternative assessment techniques, and enhancing social interaction. Studies show that integrating technology extends to having positive outcomes for teachers to understand and develop authentic and higher order lessons. However, technology alone is not the sole success of student achievement, but the way that it is implemented along with professional development creates a larger effect (Booth, 2008). Providing teachers with professional learning, specifically pertaining to technology integration, supports the development of a more rigorous academic environment and builds authentic classrooms that help students make real world connections (Booth, 2008)..
Using technology to create higher order learning experiences “helps students use real world data and other information to generate their own explanation and inferences about existing problems in our world” (Creighton, 2003, p. 49). I believe that technology is a very important and useful tool for teaching and learning and it can provide multiple avenues to reach the varying needs of diverse learners. With technology the possibilities are endless.
References
Baran, E. (2014). A review of research on mobile learning in teacher education. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 17(4), 17-32.
Booth, J. (2008). The influence of professional development in technology integration on teacher pedagogy and student engagement in fourth and fifth grade elementary classrooms in an urban elementary school in the northeast (Ed.D.). Available from ProQuest Education Journals. (230711652).
Creighton, T. B. (2003). The principal as technology leader. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.
Longstanding research indicates that effectively integrating technology into the classroom increases student engagement and achievement (Baran, 2014). It also is beneficial to teachers by improving their technology integration skills, connecting learning to the community, providing personalized learning experiences, presenting alternative assessment techniques, and enhancing social interaction. Studies show that integrating technology extends to having positive outcomes for teachers to understand and develop authentic and higher order lessons. However, technology alone is not the sole success of student achievement, but the way that it is implemented along with professional development creates a larger effect (Booth, 2008). Providing teachers with professional learning, specifically pertaining to technology integration, supports the development of a more rigorous academic environment and builds authentic classrooms that help students make real world connections (Booth, 2008)..
Using technology to create higher order learning experiences “helps students use real world data and other information to generate their own explanation and inferences about existing problems in our world” (Creighton, 2003, p. 49). I believe that technology is a very important and useful tool for teaching and learning and it can provide multiple avenues to reach the varying needs of diverse learners. With technology the possibilities are endless.
References
Baran, E. (2014). A review of research on mobile learning in teacher education. Journal of Educational Technology & Society, 17(4), 17-32.
Booth, J. (2008). The influence of professional development in technology integration on teacher pedagogy and student engagement in fourth and fifth grade elementary classrooms in an urban elementary school in the northeast (Ed.D.). Available from ProQuest Education Journals. (230711652).
Creighton, T. B. (2003). The principal as technology leader. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.