Quality day-to-day instruction plays a crucial role in students' academic success. Incorporating technology within the classroom is just as crucial; but what is technology? Though it is commonly miscategorized, technology is more than a computer. One thing that I have learned while on this journey of learning, is that technology is so much more. A big factor in it is simply the application of students’ learning. According to the article, Connecting Depth and Balance In Class by Matthew S. Kuhn, “Conscientious teachers can use a matrix to incorporate learning taxonomies and multiple intelligences…” which is technology. Technology, in my interpretation, is the application of various styles of learning within instruction. This can be using a computer, videos, music, etc. Mr.Kuhn stated, “One cannot help but meet a variety of learning styles, with experiential depth, if technology is purposefully and wisely integrated into the regular day-to-day curriculum.”
Throughout my day in the classroom instruction, Bloom’s Taxonomy is heavily placed. When planning, I follow the guidelines below, which connect with an explicit lesson with a gradual release module. The students use their knowledge to state what they know and/or learned previously before beginning any lesson. This allows them to connect prior knowledge to future knowledge. Students then apply their knowledge with comprehension skills to illustrate, interpret, or explain their understanding of said task. Next, students enter the application part of the method to solve a problem/task that demonstrates their learning methods in practice. Students then analyze their answers by checking their work and providing support to their answers. Then, students synthesize with others to discuss possibilities and possible answers. Finally, you move to the evaluation phase where the student's work is assessed for content understanding and application.
All the articles provided discussed heavily on the effect of technology and how we implement, teach, and understand how our students learn. The article, The Purpose of Empowering Learners and Media Literacy by Renne Hobbs gives a clear warning to teachers as they plan to incorporate technology within their classroom: “Although investments in technology have increased significantly in recent years, simply purchasing the latest digital technologies does not necessarily lead to the acquisition of digital and media literacy competencies. Unfortunately, many school leaders mistakenly believe that simply providing children and young people with access to digital technology will automatically enhance learning.” It is important to note that incorporating technology is not to replace teaching or play as a “time slot”.
As educators, we should use it to enhance the curriculum/lesson to further assist their understanding of where they can meet mastery in said skill. Technology should be an act of application, not an act of total instruction. Sir Michael Barber in the article Forward A Rich Seam: How New Pedagogies Find Deep Learning, said it best: “The digital revolution is transforming our work, our organizations, and our daily lives”. As educators, we are there to aid in the learning of the students who will be the “next” in the world of digital. Let’s use this to our advantage and apply what we know and have to make our students the best learners they can be. As a newer educator in the 21st century, still learning, I strive to take these articles to practice and use technology to assist my teaching strategies.
References:
Fullan, M. & Langworthy, M. (2014). A rich seam: How new pedagogies find deep learning. London: Pearson. Retrieved from https://www.pearson.com/content/dam/one-dot-com/one-dot-com/global/Files/about-pearson/innovation/open-ideas/ARichSeamEnglish.pdf
Hobbs, R. (2011). Empowering learners with digital and media literacy. Knowledge Quest, 39(5), 12-17. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.
Huitt, W. (2011). Bloom et al.'s taxonomy of the cognitive domain. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University. Retrieved from http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/cognition/bloom.pdf
Kuhn, M. S. (2008). Connecting depth and balance in class. Learning & Leading with Technology, 36(1), 18-21. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier database.
I really liked how you broke down the role of technology in the classroom and emphasized that it's not just about having the latest gadgets. Your take on using different tech tools to match various learning styles is spot on. It’d be cool to hear some concrete examples of how you’ve used technology in your own lessons and what’s worked best for you. Also, it might be useful to touch on any challenges you’ve faced with tech integration and how you’ve tackled them. That could give a fuller picture of how to make tech really work in the classroom.
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