Tami Rodda

roddasclass.weebly.com
EDU-225
February 13, 2015
Instructor Biba John

Entry 2: Technology to Enhance Instruction

Integrating Instructional Technology
Integrating instructional technology into the classroom can be a tough challenge at times
but there are many benefits that come from it. With the many choices offered, choosing the right
technology for the lesson can be quite a challenge. Both student and teacher can benefit from
using technology in the classroom, as it captures the attention of the student body and lessens the
paperwork left for the teacher. Using different types of technology can allow students to use
their creativity and their problem solving skills in a safe environment that is monitored by the
teacher. The teacher can use technology to create different pieces that can then be used to add
emphasis to their lessons.
Interactive field trips
Interactive field trips take students places that they could not go otherwise. This
technology allows students to take tours of different places (for example The Louvre) or do
science projects without the cost and mess (like dissection). In 1999 Gerzog and Haugland had
said that the Internet brings environments to young children, rather than them having to travel.
While this is true there is also the benefit of saving money. By not having to actually travel,
money is not spent on fees or gas. This resource can be used to emphasize lessons in science,
social studies, language arts, and math. It is a resource with many different uses and benefits.

IPads or tablet computers

Tablet computers can be used in class in many different ways. They can be used for
communication, research, putting together writing pieces, and checking grades, among other
things. When students use tablets they seem to be more engaged in what they are doing and can
use many different resources to finish their work. In 2011, Jones and Sinclair found that when
students use iPads the hands-on, tactile aspect would draw students into the process of data
gathering making the students more productive. Through certain programs teachers are able
to communicate with the students and take over their tablets, shutting off programs that they
dont want their students to be on at the moment, thus minimizing the chance for distraction.
Online presentation websites
Online presentation sites such as prezi.com and powtoon.com are a good resource for
both teachers and students. Teachers can create presentations to share with their class for
instruction that catch the students attention and hold it. Students can also use this site for their
presentations or reports that get assigned to them. These sites allow students to be creative with
their assignments while still having an assignment to turn in. In 2012 Gunter, et al. found that
teachers can create digital media presentations to present new concepts and then provide
students access to the presentations so they can easily review new information and interact
directly with the software.
Pros and Cons of using Technology to Facilitate Learning
There are many pros for integrating technology into the classroom such as less
paperwork, more time to interact with students and bountiful resources. When teachers use
technology for their classroom there is less paperwork involved as the material that is needed can
be saved to their computer. Creating assignments that can be done through technology also reaps

the benefit of less paperwork and it gives the teacher more time to spend with their students. The
internet offers numerous different resources for the classroom, whether the teacher is looking for
lesson plans or just a simple image to go with their lesson.
Cons that are affiliated with technology are the mass quantities of resources on the
internet, letting technology take over the lesson plan, and not knowing how to use the
technology. Often people can be frustrated by having too many choices and teachers are no
exception. When looking for resources there are tons out on the web and it can be a tough
choice. Sometimes the technology can take over a lesson, or the teacher relies too much on the
technology to teach the lesson for them. Being unfamiliar with technology is a great possibility
as there should be more teacher education for these resources than what can be afforded by
school districts.
Wired and Wireless Classrooms
Having a wired classroom means that the computer is wired into the internet cables and is
usually a stationary object where if the student needs to use it they have to go to the computer. A
wireless classroom is the exact opposite. The computers dont have to have cables for internet,
they pick it up from the router. The computers that are wireless are usually laptops or tablets and
can be taken anywhere the student goes. This makes it easier for the student to take a computer
to their desk and do their work, rather than packing up their materials and moving to a computer
station, unpacking and then starting the work they need to do. With a wired classroom students
are more likely to be walking back and forth between their desk and the computer, whereas with
a wireless computer students can just use the computer at their desk, eliminating the need to go
back and forth.
Conclusion

Integrating technology benefits the entire classroom by adding diversity and choice.
There are many tools that are offered and each of them has so much to offer. Teachers can
benefit by capturing the attention of the classroom and having less paperwork to lose. Students
can benefit by having tools that give an outlet for their creativity. It also helps to promote the
idea of individuality. Technology can benefit the entire class.

References:
Gerzog, E. H., & Haugland, S. W. (1999). Web sites provide unique learning opportunities for
young children. Early Childhood Education Journal, 27(2), 109-114.

Shelly, G., Gunter, G., & Gunter, R. (2012). Technology, Digital Media, and Curriculum
Integration. In Teachers discovering computers: Integrating technology in a connected
world (Seventh ed., p. 208). Course Technology.
Jones, J. L., & Sinclair, B. (2011). Assessment on the Go: Surveying Students With an iPad.
Journal Of Library Innovation, 2(2), 22-35.