Integrating Technology into Teaching and Learning

Integrating technology into Teaching and Learning is essential to helping our students by preparing them to be successful in the real world.  While our text explains many reasons why technology should be integrated into lessons and learning, our supplemental readings suggest otherwise.

Our students are exposed to technology in the home at earlier ages then ever before.  When they come to school many of them are aware of computers and how to work them successfully.  We are finding that these students are known as "digital students".  Digital students are kids who multitask, use multiple means of communication, are goal oriented, think differently, are play oriented.  Learning to these students must be relevant and fun.  They enjoy fantasy based learning and move at a fast pace.  By using technology in our classrooms and in our every day lessons, we are allowing our students to emerge in the skills that they will need and be comfortable using in the future, skills that are needed to succeed in our society.  Computers have been found to reach students who are struggling with learning concepts, staying focused,strengthening student achievement and helping them meet learning outcomes.  Computers also have been found to provide meaningful opportunities in skill-building, interactive learning, cooperative learning, promote the development of higher level thinking skills and solving complex problems.

In the article, "Dawn of the New Literacies", Maryanne Wolf and Nicholas Carr are not supporters of integrating technology into the classroom.  Wolf believes that people potentially could develop a false sense of understanding and that they could lose their ability to read and think at higher levels.  Carr believes that online reading encourages fast and sloppy reading, unfocused thinking and learning that can lead to the creation of shallow thinkers.

I believe that technology is a very important tool to use in the classroom.  I have experienced the vast improvement in phonics skills of a student with a severe speech and language impediment.  I have also seen many of our reading students improve their skills with the use of technology.  We must encourage our students to make real life connections with the world around them, we must provide them with opportunities to use technology to enhance their learning and provide them with the knowledge that they will need to be successful in society.
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