Understanding Educational Technology Issues and Trends By: Ashley Morris and Amber Roberson Chapter 2

21 st Century computer technologies Web 2.0 tools are interactive uses of the internet, including blogs, wikis, social networking and other collaborative methods of information creation and exchange. Information and communication technologies (ICT’s) are tools that encompass

Technology – using teachers Key issues for technology – using teachers. What is your readiness to integrate technology into teaching and learning in schools? What are your reasons for wanting to use technology in teaching? What are your views of the barriers teachers face in using technology in classes?

Key issues for technology- using teachers (cont.) What are your goals for the types of technologies you will use in the classroom? What are your ideas for the kinds of teaching methods you plan to use? What is your knowledge of the technologies students are using both inside and outside of schools?

Tech tools, Apps for teaching and learning HMH FUSE Algebra 1 Oxford Picture Dictionary School Fuel VideoScience App Today in History

Innovation and technology Readiness The Rogers Innovation curve depicts on how individuals in business and management respond to change. Roger’s model proposes that with every new idea there are always small percentages of innovators (3%), early adopters (13%) and majority of followers (68%).

Rogers Innovation Curve

Rogers Model (cont.) This model divides k-12 teachers into 3 separate groups: 1.Teachers who are eagerly integrating computer and other technologies into their teaching. (3%) 2.Teachers who are cautious and skeptical about using technology because of system crashes and all the equipment. (13%) 3.Majority of undecided observers who would utilize technology sooner if they felt confident on how to use it. (68%)

Identifying Groups and Technology users Digital collaborator Ambivalent networker Media mover Roving mode Desktop veteran Drifting surfer Information encumbered Mobile newbie Technology indifferent

Digital Divides and Participation Gaps Digital divides and participation gaps affect mainly low income, non white, urban and rural children and occur when students do not have access to the latest technologies at school or home. Lack of access to new technologies is a contributing factor to academic and achievement gaps.

Critics of technology in schools Some critics of technologies in schools are: Drill and practice worksheets but not explanatory learning software. Student use of word processing for publishing but not for writing or other creative self expression Use of internet as an encyclopedia of information but not for learning about how to do research and analysis Scant consideration of digital cameras, scanners and handheld or wireless devices as potential

Methods for teaching with technology Teaching with Technology Create Teaching Philosophy Your teaching philosophy includes your ideas and assumptions about how to teach so students will learn.

Teacher Philosophy (cont.) Teacher centered: instructional methods that organize instruction on teacher-decided goals and objectives. Student centered: instructional methods that organize academic instruction around student interests and learning process

4 key aspects of teaching philosophies Teachers role: a scale that goes from teachers facilitating learning to teachers presenting and explaining academic material. Goal of learning: a scale that goes from students discovering ideas and concepts themselves to students mastering teacher delivered curriculum content.

4 key aspects (cont.) Student motivation: a scale that goes from students expressing wide ranging interests and curiosity to students knowing the material in textbooks and curriculum frameworks. Classroom organization: a scale that goes from students engaging in individual and small group activities to students engaging in mainly whole class activities.

National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) Standards for teacher learning with technology developed by the International society for Technology in Education. At the core of NETS is a belief that technology makes new learning experiences possible.

Digital natives and immigrants Digital natives: children and adults who have grown up using computers and other electronic media. Digital immigrants: Adults who are newcomers to the world of computers and other information technologies.

Overcoming a digital disconnect The digital disconnect is differences in technological knowledge and interest between tech-savvy students and less technologically confident teachers. Schools must overcome a “digital disconnect” existing between tech-savvy students and tech-resistant teachers.