Integrated Technology

By Anthony Michael

This week I will be discussing a journal article that I read the other day.  This journal article discusses how technology in the classroom can cultivate the abilities of students and completely change the way that they work and think. The authors Kyle Peck and Denise Dorricott compare the educational setting to that of the real business world.  They ask the question; what would happen if we removed all the computers in the business world tomorrow?  How would this change the work environment?   They go on to describe how the world would cease to function almost entirely.  So why is it that the school’s educators are stuck in this pre-technology world?  Is it because they are afraid of change or because they don’t know the proper ways in which to utilize technology properly to influence the students? 

The authors then go on to describe the various stages that technology implementation goes through.  Educators are stuck in the second phase or the “creating puzzles” stage.  Using them only to grade or deliver their lectures.  To actually benefit students to the fullest potential that technology can educators need to move on the third stage, how technology can actually contribute to a compelling educational experience.

                   Technology can help many different types of students.  Some learn fast, some learn slowly, and every one of them has a unique way in which they gather information.  Technology can help individualize the learning process, by allowing each student to move at his or her own pace in safe, non-threatening environments of their choosing. 

Studies have shown that one of the most influential ways that computers have helped improve students thinking is in writing.  Computers allow for a “temporary” feel to what they are writing.  Changing the thought process to allow them to believe it is ok to make mistakes.  It can easily be changed and corrected at a later date.  Computers also allow for a more artistic expression through the use of video production, photography, etc.  This also allows for students who are not able to easily communicate verbally to transmit their ideas to the rest of the class and to the educator as well. 

                  This use of technology has the potential to free up the educator allowing them to access the student on a more frequent basis, providing them with a higher level of actual education instead of information conveyance.  It also allows the educator to provide a more per student based instruction towards each student and the particular needs that they need.  

Peck, K., & Dorricott, D. (1994). Educational Leadership, 51(7), 11-14. Retrieved November 9, 2014 from http://www.ascd.org/portal/site/ascd/template.MAXIMIZE/menuitem.45