Helen Rich

EDU 225
October 11, 2015
Brian Clark

Integrating Instructional Technology: http://herclass.weebly.com/

Time and the development of technology continuously progress together. In this day in
age, it is imperative for a person to know how to operate many different types of technology.
This is why technology needs to be an integral part of education in schools. Not only has
technology already been proven to enhance instruction (Safitry, Mantoro, Ayu, Mayumi, Dewanti
& Azmeela, 2015) but by using it to teach, students are getting the hands on practice they need to
function in todays daily life. Technology is used to engage students, innovate, accelerate and
deepen skills and provide practice for the futures workers (Safitry et, al., 2015). Smart boards,
web tools, and iPads are examples of technology which are used in the classroom to enhance
learning.
Smart Boards
Smart boards are increasingly being used in the classroom to enhance lessons (Nichols,
2015). A projector is placed on the ceiling and projects computer images on to an interactive
white board (Nichols, 2015). The teacher can then operate the computer using touch from the
white board ( Nichols, 2015). This technology will be used in my classroom to engage my
students. Interactive activities and fun visuals will help to stimulate students and motivate their
learning. One lesson to be taught on a smart board is counting and math. I intend on using fun
objects which can be moved around to count and learn addition. Students can even come to the
board and demonstrate how to add and subtract by moving the objects on the board. Smart
boards can be used for enhancing any subject matter instruction, and pose a valuable asset to any
classroom.
Web Tools
Implementing visuals is always helpful for student learning (Kovalik, Kuo, Cummins,
Dipzinski, Joseph & Laskey, 2014). This is why the use of web tools in the classroom is so

popular and positive amongst teachers today. The vast number of educational websites and blogs
on the Internet give teachers and students the ability to instruct and learn interactively. This
engages students, motivating and enhancing learning. I intend on researching the many web tools
available to use in my instruction for my classroom. One web tool, khan academy, is a website
designed to help students learn and practice their math skills. This tool allows for students to
practice straight from my curriculum, and tracks progress through quizzes. Web tools are easily
accessed and usually inexpensive, so they make for a great addition to the classroom to enhance
learning.
IPad
The Ipad is a wireless, handheld tablet which has revolutionized many aspects of life,
including education. Liu and Gong (2014) have stated iPads large multi-touch screen, sleek
profile and the ability to easily download and purchase a huge variety of educational applications
make it attractive to educators (Liu & Gong, para 1, 2014). Students can interact with learning
apps, and teachers can easily mark progress at the touch of a button. If I have the opportunity, I
plan to use IPads in my classroom for my students to find apps which track healthy activities and
calorie intake to chart their daily habits. I feel it is important for students to know how to operate
such apps, all the while learning the importance of knowing their daily habits. IPads can be used
for many, many different ways in the classroom, and they enhance learning while teaching
students the necessary skill of navigating and finding apps.

Pros and Cons of using Technology to Facilitate Learning

Technology is primarily very positive for the classroom, however there are some
negatives to overusing it. The positives of technology in education are quicker and more exciting

instruction for teachers, and motivation along with deeper engagement for students (Safitry et,
al., 2015). Students are excited to learn because lessons are interactive and visual. Some
negatives to technology in the classroom are the expenses which comes with the devices and
computers, and the distractions which they may pose for students (opposing views, 2008).
Schools may be drawing money which is budgeted for other areas in school to spend on
technology (Opposing views, 2008). This means that students may be losing out on education in
the arts, or wherever the money came from. Also, obviously all technology in schools is
educational, but students find ways to communicate with each other via text or email, or online
games which do not pertain to their lessons (opposing views, 2008). This causes them to get
distracted from what they need to be focused, therefore losing out on learning. Technology has
proven to be very constructive for learning in the classroom, but like all things, it does have
some drawbacks.
Wired and Wireless Classrooms
Wireless networks provide a wide variety of uses in the classroom ( Walery, 2004).
Teachers and administrators have the ability to use whatever technological devices, wherever
they want in the school. Once a device is connected to the schools wifi, the device can connect
to the Internet anywhere in the building, allowing for easier instruction. Classrooms with wired
computers have to stay put in their origin, and connect to the internet through a modem in one
room. This means that a teacher cannot move her work or presentations from the classroom to
the auditorium without digitally sending it from one computer to another. Also, schools
ultimately spend less on wireless Internet, rather than paying for cables to be run through a wired
network (Walery, 2004). Wireless Internet has become the norm for most internet use as it
makes working and moving around the building easier, and is less expensive to run.

Conclusion
Integrating technology in the classroom is necessary to enhance learning, and can be done
using smart boards, web tools and IPads. Technology will always be progressing, and it is
important for students to know how to use it. Not only does using technology in the classroom
get students to be comfortable with it, but it makes learning exciting. Students become engaged
when they can look on the board, and see the interactive examples of what they are learning.
They can acknowledge what their daily habits are when they can use apps to record their daily
health behaviors. Web tools help students to study for tests and play games which let them grasp
concepts in a way that they can understand. All of these examples reiterate why technology in the
classroom is so important, and how it helps to enhance student learning.

References
Bin Liu1, 3., & Chaohua Gong2, g. (2014). Using the Apple iPad to Facilitate Teaching and
Learning in the Classroom: a Pilot Study. Advanced Materials Research, 1006-100711741177. Retrieved From: http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?
url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=aci&AN=99604363&site=eds-live&scope=site
Kovalik, C., Kuo, C., Cummins, M., Dipzinski, E., Joseph, P., & Laskey, S. (2014). Implementing web
2.0 tools in the classroom: Four teachers' accounts. Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To
Improve Learning, 58(5), 90-94. doi:10.1007/s11528-014-0790-1 Retrieved From:
http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=ehh&AN=97503703&site=eds-live&scope=site
Nichols, B. E. (2015). The Interactive Classroom: An Overview of Smart Notebook Software. General
Music Today, 28(3), 28-32. Retrieved from: http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?
url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ1058989&site=edslive&scope=site
Opposing views (2008). Negative Effects of Using Technology in Today's Classroom. Science Index.
Retrieved From: http://science.opposingviews.com/negative-effects-using-technology-todaysclassroom-1549.html
Safitry, T. S., Mantoro, T., Ayu, M. A., Mayumi, I., Dewanti, R., & Azmeela, S. (2015). Teachers'
Perspectives and Practices in Applying Technology to Enhance Learning in the Classroom.
International Journal Of Emerging Technologies In Learning, 10(3), 10-14.
doi:10.3991/ijet.v10i3.4356 Retrieved From: http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?
url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ehh&AN=103544203&site=edslive&scope=site
Walery, D. (2004). Wireless Technology in K-12 Education. T.H.E. Journal, 31(8), 48. Retrieved From:
http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ701666&site=eds-live&scope=site