As digital leaders, how can we ensure technology is being used to allow students to construct knowledge, share experiences, reflect on practice, seek feedback, and contribute to the learning of others? Why is this important?
The use of technology should be purposeful and is aimed to enhance learning. We do not use technology because it is available, we use it because it can assist our students to learn better and more efficient. According to Budhai (2015) “Technology should not be used if it is not positively influencing the learning goals of the school, no matter how innovative technology may be”. The school may use a lot of expensive apps but this is not what determines the level of function; it is how this tool or app is being used to achieve the identified goals. As a digital leader of my school, we use ELIOT (Effective Learning Environments Observation Tool) for teachers to ensure that technology is being used or integrated in the daily lessons. ELIOT Tool helps us to make sure that the learning environment in the school uses technology to gather, evaluate, and use information for learning. It also helps to assess if students use technology to conduct research, solve problems, create original works, and work collaboratively for learning. We also use ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) Standards for teachers and students to integrate technology in all subject areas of our school. With the use of ISTE Standards, students are asked to construct knowledge, share experiences, reflect on practice, seek feedback, and contribute to the learning of others (ISTE, 2016). I agree that technology alone does not improve education, but, nevertheless, the technology integration in classroom could bring enough benefits to education. Technology integration in education have created high hopes among teachers and administrators who believe that the digital devices offer great promise as instructional tools for learning (Biancarosa,2012). The students in our school are provided with educational apps that can help them to construct knowledge and share experiences with others. One of the favorite app that they are using is “Explain Everything” wherein students can create original video presentations and explainer videos about any topic that they want to present. This app is also good for collaboration and working together as a team, thus teaching students to contribute to the learning of others and at the same time, seeking feedback from others in order to improve learning in the classroom. References Biancarosa, G. (2012). Technology Tools to Support Reading in the Digital Age. University of Oregon’s College of Education, Or 139(3). Budhai, S. S., & Taddei, L. M. L. (2015). Teaching the 4Cs with technology: how do I use 21st century tools to teach 21st century skills? Alexandria, VA: ASCD. International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). (2019). ISTE standards for students. Retrieved from https://www.iste.org/standards/for-students.
3 Comments
Juanita Yarrell
11/27/2019 05:00:59 pm
My school has realized the importance of implementing technology into every classroom. As I was speaking with a colleague who teaches Health and PE, she commented on how the admin. after an observation gave her feedback about using technology in her class after a previous observation. So, my colleague made sure her students used technology during the observation. As you mentioned in your blog, it is not enough for students to simply use technology. Just about anyone can use a chrome book to find the nearest location of a grocery store. When students are using technology collaboratively to resolve an issue or research something historical, they are learning skills that will serve them well in the 21st century. The more practice they can get working together and working on technology, the better off they will be once they get out into the real working world.
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Jennifer Gettings
11/27/2019 07:34:27 pm
Thank you for sharing your experience and insights regarding the use of technology in the classroom. As your research suggests, and as you explain based on your experience, it is important to incorporate technology into the classroom experience as a way to support and enhance learning. Using technology as a plug and play of the latest application or device because an instructor or school simply wants to be cutting edge, will not necessarily achieve success with student achievement. Rather there should be purpose for the use of technology. I appreciated hearing about the Explain Everything application, this sounds like an interesting way to promote student engagement and collaboration. You’re doing great work!
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Linda Warren
11/30/2019 09:35:07 pm
Hi Aldwin,
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Author:Aldwin Lauron is currently working as Technology Integration Specialist in ISC (International Schools of China). Archives
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