TECHNOLOGY

INTEGRATION:
WHY IT IS ESSENTIAL IN
TODAY'S CLASSROOM

Kacie Traver EDTECH 541

Technology Increases Student Participation
 Web 2.0
 Web 2.0 tools allow students to bring their
social technology into the classroom as a
useful academic tool (Merchant, 2009).
 Collaboration
 Technology allows for greater student
collaboration, which helps with student
achievement. No longer are students bound by
the four walls of the classroom, or the six
academic hours. Students can collaborate with
peers and teacher from outside of the school
day.

Attribution: Flickr user looneyhiker

 Behavior
 Student behavior increases with increased use of
technology. Retaining student interest is a key factor
in reaching at-risk students. Technology, something
they are very familiar with, has been proven to hold a
student’s interest, keeping negative and/or distracting
behaviors at bay. Students show “better behavior,
lower school absentee rates, lower dropout rates,
earn more college scholarships, and attend college in
greater numbers” than students not regularly exposed
to technology(Stratham & Torell, 1996).
Technology Increases Student
Achievement
 Increased Test Scores
 Studies show that when technology is
employed properly in schools, it increases
scores in not only mathematics, but also can
show gains in all academic subjects and even
in proficiency test scores (Keengwee,
Onchwari, & Wachira).

Attribution: Flickr user biology corner

 Increased Research Skills

 After finishing multimedia projects, many teachers

stated that students had increased: “a) research
skills, b) research skills to locate content
resources, c) capability to apply learning to real
world situations, d) organizational skills and e)
interest in content”(CEO Forum, 2001).

Attribution: Flickr user catzpyjamasnz

 References
CARET Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology.
(2005). Retrieved April 21, 2009, from
http://caret.iste.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=questions&topicID=
1
Keengwee, J., Onchwari, G., & Wachira, P. (n.d.). The use of
computer tools to support meaningful learning. AACE
Journal, 16(1) , 77-92.

Merchant, G. (2009). Web 2.0, new literacies, and the idea of

learning through participation. English teaching: practice and
critique , 8 (3), 107-122.

Stratham, D. S., & Torell, C. R. (1996). Computers in the

classroom: The impact of technology on student learning.