Blog Post 3 : Technology Implementation Strategies

We live in a technological age in which a person can spend their entire day interacting with others that they may never see face to face. By utilizing and implementing technology strategies in the classroom, teachers and teacher librarians will not only have more attention from the students due to their high level of interest in technological matters, but they will be shaping students to be successful in their future endeavors.

One of the major perks of using technology in the classroom is the amount of free educational resources that are available online. Often administrators resist the change of implementing technology by using the cost as an excuse. Technology does not have to begin and end with high dollar electronics -- websites can be used for free online that can be accessed through the teachers computer and shown on a projector. The students will then have access to the technology without every student having an iPad.

Students have a sense of ownership when it comes to creating projects and materials using technology, and these skills will help them in future college and career goals. The archaic cardboard presentation board isn't used anywhere these days other than in schools. Why have students use outdated materials when they could create a powerpoint of an animoto presentation to learn the same educational material with 21st century methods? Students can create a digital portfolio throughout the year of what they have accomplished, which will serve them for the purposes of the assignment and as a demonstration of their skills to future teachers and employers. There is an increase in learning when students have to create something to demonstrate their knowledge. All students know how to cut and paste materials from their research in order to "write" a paper. Have them create a wiki or a webpage about it instead -- not only will the students be showing their mastery of the material, but they will be able to create something that they feel is meaningful and will therefore take more time and effort into the project.

Advantages to implementing technology in the classroom are: efficiency, motivation to learn, deep understanding, and learning how to learn. Using technology helps both the students and the teachers; teachers will be challenged to come up with interesting and meaningful assignments and projects that will resonate and make the students feel accomplished and important. Everyone is a winner when there is technology implemented in the classroom.

Reference
Byrne, R. (2009). The effect of web 2.0 on teaching and learning. Teacher Librarian, 37(2), 50-53.