Framework for Technology Integration:
There are those traditionalists who will be against this
movement arguing their point that schools should maintain their sanctity and
continue the way they are. However, what they fail to understand is that
technology is like any other tool. That being said technology integration holds
different meanings to different individuals. Some might use a computer in their
class as a reinforcement to teach the lessons. For some it might be the use of
PowerPoint and students’ presentations. But, is that really technology
integration at its best? The question these educators and schools should ask
themselves is, whether or not the use of technology enhances the learning
process for their students? Students using different fonts and colors for their
slides instead of researching, planning and writing is not a good example. Finland
is a prime example of technology integration in their schools. The country took
a huge step towards reimagining schools and did away with most traditional
subjects and brought in interdisciplinary classes that reflect real-world.
Educators are now critically questioning how schools typically work and the way
success is measured. This is opening up new opportunities for technology to
play an even bigger role in education.
The following are some reasons to consider why and how
integrating technology in classrooms helps the physical, cognitive and
social-emotional development of children.
Deeper Understanding and Learning:
Constructivism is a
theory of learning that describes how our minds create knowledge or how a
student’s knowledge structures and “…deeper conceptual understanding” come
about (Fosnot, 1996, p.30).
When students are
actively engaged in making connections and make meaning of this knowledge by analyzing
and collaborating these facts and skills, that is the true essence of
technology integration. “Deeper learning” happens when students are thinking
critically and using those skills and knowledge that prepares them for real
life. Using technology in the classrooms teaches skills like critical thinking
and effective communication along with academic content. The popularity of
Inquiry-based, Game-based and Project-based learning speaks volumes for the
usage of technology in schools. Students
are developing the four C’s of critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and
communication. This is becoming more and more possible as students
have the aid of technology at hand with their cell phones, iPads/ tablets,
laptops and computers. There is a vast world of knowledge out there. Our
students should be prepared to dive into this vast ocean and retrieve the
specific knowledge for themselves. The reason “deeper learning” is so important
because when these students step out in their professional lives they will be
required to tackle situations and solve problems critically. The Common Core
State Standards in the US are a step in this direction by making sure that the
students are trained in the four C’s and applying their skills in a
technological environment. Although I am against standard based tests but it
seems that these skills help the students to approximate their results.
Collaboration-a 21st Century skill
Experts see global collaborative learning as a big move for
students. It is already happening with the use of Twitter, Skype classrooms, Google
Education and various other platforms. Many more are jumping onto the bandwagon
as well. Learning has always been a social process as humans learn better by doing rather than listening. In this day and age, teachers and students are coming
together to make new meanings of the knowledge available. Teachers are no
longer providers of knowledge; rather they are facilitators, mentors and
moderators in this fast changing world. The New Media Consortium is an
organization devoted to exploring the use of media for teaching, learning and
creative inquiry. They conducted a study and published a K-12 report that highlights
collaboration by stating, “Placing the learner at the center emphasizing
interaction and doing, working in groups and developing solutions to real-world
problems.” Working collaboratively pushes the students to create solutions
rather than just passively sit back during traditional lectures and retain
information thus handed out by teachers. Different corners of the world are
coming together to acquire knowledge making it more personal for the students.
Skype classrooms enable students from a country in Africa for example to share
their learning experiences with any country across the globe. Google Classroom
is playing a big role in saving time while collaborating between teachers and
students. It provides different platforms for information and learning
management. Schools are able to synchronize rosters directly with just a few
clicks thus saving time and hassle. These platforms are also interactive and
mobile, enabling the students easy access.
As a teacher, with the use of technology, I have been able
to concentrate more on planning learning activities based around the content,
rather than planning the content expansively. It also allows my students to be
inquirers and makes them more creative. I myself have been a risk-taker by
learning new technology before applying it effectively in my class and the
results have been tremendous. There has been more student engagement and
conceptual understanding as compared to before. I have got my first graders to
use iMovie to show how they can express themselves, used Kidblog with Grade 2,
Skype Classrooms across Tanzania and collaborated on Skype for lessons with
other teachers. I now use Twitter effectively and collaboratively as a learning
platform instead of posting random things.
Blended Learning
One
of the most favored technology aspects of today’s youth are the games readily
available. The reason being, that games teach them to solve problems by giving instant feedback. Learning and
assessment are closely related in the technological gaming world. If the player
does not do well, the game asks them to “Try again!”, thus sustaining their
interest for longer periods of time. The use of technology also benefits the
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) programs, which
benefits the Common Core State Standards in the US. That does not mean that
blended learning is not beneficial in other parts of the world where CCSS are
not used. Blended learning through the use of technology, gaming and digital
learning provides an effective and conceptual understanding. The teachers at
our school have started using Minecraft for Literacy, Humanities and Math and
the interest in these subject areas has risen considerably. Similarly simple
games like Cut the Rope are being used to teach the laws of Physics. Robotics
is another important factor playing a huge role in students’ level of
engagement and understanding in lessons.
Authentic
Learning with Technology:
Integrating
technology in schools creates authentic learning opportunities for students as
well as teachers. Students take
ownership of their work as it is driven by their own interests and are, rather
than the teacher or another individual, and hence are more responsible. This
results in personalized learning opportunities. The emergence of Makerspaces
has made a huge impact and continues to grow. Makerspaces, as the name suggests
are creative spaces where the users can collaborate to create, invent and learn
with the use of technology, 3D printers, crafts and supplies. Technology helps
the students to be authentic and autonomous. Here it needs to be mentioned,
that the use of technology has been found to be most beneficial in recognizing
students’ individual and specific needs. Adaptive learning is an educational
method that uses technology according to the specific needs of each student.
The BYOD trend in schools certainly promoted adaptive learning as students work
on laptops, computers, phones and tablets in classrooms. Experts have been
studying the impact of technology on disabled students as well and there is
reason to believe that it makes a particular impact on their learning abilities
and skills.
Globaloria
allows middle and high school students to design their own video games around
STEAM. Through this program the students learn about the concepts while
designing it, not to forget that they are also learning the importance of
teamwork.
According
to Marilyn M. Lombardi in her paper “Authentic Learning for the 21st
Century: An Overview” authentic learning experience has the following 10 domain
specific essences.
1.
Real-world relevance: Authentic
activities match the real-world task of professionals. Learning happens when
students are asked to work with abstract concepts, facts and formulae inside a
realistic and highly social context.
2.
Ill-defined problems: Challenges
in real-world cannot be solved easily by the application of formulae. Instead,
students are required to set themselves tasks and subtasks to complete and
solve the problem.
3.
Sustained investigation: Authentic
activities sustain the students’ interest over a period of time.
4.
Multiples sources and perspectives: In an authentic learning environment, students are not given
a list of resources to complete the task. Instead, they have to inquire into
the appropriate resources required for that particular task.
5.
Collaboration: An
individual cannot survive like an island on his or her own. Authentic
activities require the students engage each other for the completion of the
task, just like in real-world.
6.
Reflection: Students
reflect and learn from the choices they made.
7.
Interdisciplinary perspective: Reflection thus helps them to think about consequences and
think beyond their own roles and the given task.
8. Integrated
assessment: Just like in the real world, the
students are evaluated for their process of understanding.
9.
Polished products: Authentic
activities result in a product valuable on its own.
10. Multiple
interpretations and outcomes: Authentic
activities result in diverse solutions and interpretations.
Challenges:
As
with any other industry, the challenge is not just how to incorporate
technology but also how to train teachers to use it effectively so that
technology enhances the learning process. It has been my experience that
teachers mostly do not like to use technology because they themselves are not
comfortable using it. Digital literacy is an important skill for students as
well as teachers. The NMC Horizon Report 2015 states that “This challenge is exacerbated by the fact That digital literacy is less
about tools and more about thinking, and thus skills and standards based on
tools and platforms have proven to be somewhat ephemeral.” We come to the
conclusion that learning for teachers should be just as much authentic and
autonomous. Thus, the role of teachers and schools need to rethought and
reimagined. New teachers in training should be mandatorily trained for the
effectively use of technology integration in their classrooms. Yes, new
teachers are told or taught about some technologies, but that only focuses on
organizing rather than student engagement. As such, teacher-training institutes
need to revamp their strategies as well. Schools as well need to revamp their
policies to make this transition. I firmly believe that with careful planning all
schools can reach their goal of successful technology integration.
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