Technology as a Tool to Support Instruction

Technology as a Tool to Support Instruction 

Link:  http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech004.shtml


    I found this article intriguing just based off of its title because I don't think everything has to involve technology, but it can definitely be used as a tool to support instruction. In the beginning part of the article, the author discusses that technology is a tool. Technology can be used as a tool to enhance learning and to encourage the creativity of many answers rather than relying on a single correct answer on a paper/pencil assessment. Although technology can potentially boost students learning, the article discusses that it can be a messy process so teachers must thoroughly model and practice exactly how to use technology in the manner that the teacher wants. That process in itself can take time, but is a major factor in having a successful experience with supporting your instruction with technology. A part in this section of the article that I found interesting was when the article shares that students don't "learn" technology, but rather technology provides the provides the tools for students to experience meaningful learning.

   The second section of the article discusses the importance of choosing how to use technology as a school. All teachers don't have to use technology in exactly the same manner, but the article discusses the importance of keeping all teachers informed and up to date how to operate using technology. For example, there should be staff developmental days focused on certain uses of technology if the school is expecting teachers to use certain technology. The article really makes a solid point while discussing this part of the article because more and more schools/administrations are utilizing technology so it is important for teachers to learn how to properly use it.

   The final part of the article is all about "working together". This not only means working together as a classroom and school, but as a community as well. Teachers need to keep parents and the community up to date about how they are using technology. Teachers need to share with parents how they utilize technology in their classroom so that parents understand why their child is doing what they are while at school. In addition to this, teachers should strongly consider sharing pictures/moments from how they have used technology in their classroom with the person who runs the school website. If a teacher shares how they are using technology in their classroom on the school website, parents and the entire community can begin learning the effectiveness of how technology is being used with their own children/school.