Implementing Technology

http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/high-school-notes/2012/01/25/3-tips-on-integrating-technology-in-the-classroom

Technology is quickly becoming a staple of effective education; without technology, a teacher isn’t able to equip a student for the modern world and the challenges they will face after graduation.  Computers, projectors and smart boards are all becoming a common feature in the landscape of an educator.  That’s why the Alliance for Excellent Education has created Digital Learning Day, which is a day dedicated to equipping teachers with the ability to equip their students through high technology.  I think this is very important for teachers, because many teachers aren’t tech savvy, and didn’t grow up in a society where the internet is a regular part of childhood.  But, this organization is trying change things from the top-down rather than the bottom up.

    The first tip the article gives, about planning ahead is so obvious and yet brilliant.  How are schools going to make any difference if they do not act as a united front, collaborating with teachers in order to cast a vision for the school and set goals for what they are trying to achieve.  There are many options now for schools to improve, but there must be a concerted effort by the administration and staff.  For instance, there is now a free app for iPads to have access to textbooks built in, but this wouldn’t help the students to learn better unless the object of using electronic textbooks is to, say, save upkeep costs for the school over the long run, and provide funds for more investment in technology later or implementing new policies.

    I love the idea of a “flipped classroom” because I hate doing my homework at home, and in high school I would have profited from being able to relax and take notes while watching a lecture, instead of doing the hardest work when at home.  It would have been nice to work hard on problem solving, writing and reading when in the classroom where you can ask for help and guidance immediately.  I believe that is the future function of the classroom, and that it will function more effectively, because students don’t need their teachers during lectures (it’s straightforward!) but rather students need instructors while doing assignments.  And if the assignments would take longer than the class is, then there could be out of class work.  This could only work properly in areas where students have direct and frequent access to computers and the internet.