Over the years, education has made
some drastic changes throughout the years and will and continue to make changes.
One such change includes the use of technology. The traditional methods of
teaching are currently fading out of the classrooms and moving towards the
Digital Age. In education, teachers have always been faced with the task of
using instructional strategies that engage students. Not only are we are faced
with the challenge of using new and engaging instructional strategies; but we
are being directed towards using instructional strategies that incorporate
technology. As educators, we have a duty to recognize how technology can engage
students and make learning meaningful for them.
In 1956,
Bloom’s taxonomy was developed as a classification of intellectual objectives
and skills essential to learning. For over 50 years, these objectives have been
used to structure lessons, guide learning, and assess students' performance (Huitt,
2011). Anderson and Krathwohl updated Bloom’s
taxonomy to indicate outcome focused objectives. (Huitt, 2011). Bloom’s
Taxonomy is a great tool for education because it provides a framework for
educators. Bloom’s taxonomy can be used to help design lessons that integrate technology tools that
allows students to demonstrate all the levels (Kuhn, 2008).
In
education, we are constantly exposed to new and improved digital tools. Using
digital tools is important, however, trying to have the latest technologies are
not important (Hobbs, 2011). The primary focus should be on how the digital
tool will contribute to your instructional strategy and to become familiar with
how to use that tool. As educators, we can become overwhelmed with all the digital
tools that we are sometimes are required to use.
These
articles have provided great insight on ways to help integrate technology. As a
potential administrator, my goal for technology will be to have 100% of
teachers using technology in their classroom instruction. However, I know that
teacher beliefs and ability to use technology are not the same. As I reflect on
The Adoption Process article, I know that I will have teachers that are innovators,
early adopters, early majority, late majority, and laggards (Rogers, 1963). As
a teacher, I know that students learn best by modelling. As a school
administrator, I feel the same concept is true when getting teachers on board
to using technology. A school administrator should use technology and be knowledgeable
and effective users. Administrators set the climate for the entire school, I
can not expect my teachers to provide meaningful technology integration if I
don’t use it. Administrators that have an active role in technology integration
will find it easier to get teachers on board to using technology.
Wendy it was very interesting reading your thoughts on these articles. I am definitely in agreement with you that the traditional methods of teaching are currently being faded out, as we as educators are faced with the digital age and we must be able to engage our students. I also agree with you that we must be able to take and use Bloom’s Taxonomy and be able to use it and mesh it together with technology to reach our students. I hope that as you one day hope to be an administrator that pushes your teachers to use technology by modeling its use, that I am also able to be that type of administrator. When you say, “administrators that have an active role in technology integration will find it easier to get teachers on board…”, I feel that is definitely a vital part to our jobs as administrators to be able to see technology in a positive way in our schools.
ReplyDeleteWendy, I enjoyed reading your post. I have often heard the statement, "out with the old, and in with the new. " The statement truly fits what we are seeing in education right now. I agree that the traditional methods of instruction are being fazed out. Technology is all around us, and students begin kindergarten with knowledge of technology. Our technological society is changing the way people learn and instruct. I also agree that administrators should have an active role in helping teachers integrate technology in the classroom. The way you describe how you plan to assist with this process, as an administrator, describes a great leader. This type of leadership is important not only in the classroom and school settings, but also in other career areas. I strive to live by this in my current position as well. Communication, cooperation, and collaboration gets results.
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