Technology throughout the years have increasingly changed to meet more needs in the classroom, workforce, and personal use. Currently, educators are faced with the Common Core State Standards which open “new and different” doors of accessing information (Roblyer, 17). The standards focus upon both print and digital ways to bringing items together in the classroom. Other organizations such as the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and Partnerships for 21st Century Skills (P21) have developed standards for educators to use in the classrooms. The overall goal of the standards set standards that prepares students for using 21st century skills, to be useful in the workforce. Some prominent skills being taught using technology include: fair use, copyright laws, software/music piracy, and digital citizenship, among others. Skills such as fair use and digital citizenship knowledge have the ability to transfer into college and careers for students.
As technology presence increases, there remains a since of digital divide, which draws lines in “low-income and minority students” and within poorer communities (Roblyer, 15). In 2014, the Huffington Post noted the challenge of providing the most up-to-date technology allowed schools in New York, as the same across the country, “to teach students the latest technology information and best incorporate technology into daily learning” (Osborne, 2014).
Technology also allows more access to subject content, resources, teachers, and classmates. The use of emails and learning management systems (Google Classroom, Blackboard, and Moodle) open the door to group work outside of the traditional classrooms. Most times group work can be done without technology; however, it can be “motivated to work cooperatively on presentation software and website production projects (Roblyer, 23). “Learning through projects while equipped with technology tools allows students to be intellectually challenged while providing them with a realistic snapshot of what the modern office looks like” (Edutopia, 2008).
Overall, technology focuses on improving student knowledge for future workplaces and college, divides the gap in schools and communities, and brings students together. As technology becomes more prominent in classrooms, society will continue to find ways for its utilization and advancement to assist all students in learning.
Resources:
Edutopia. March 2008. Why integrate technology into the curriculum: The reasons are many. http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction
Osborne, Brian. November 2014. The Huffington Post. School teachnology: Important for teaching, learning. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-osborne/school-technology-importa_b_6228480.html
Roblyer, M.D.. 2016. Integrating educational technology into teaching. Boston: Pearson.
As technology presence increases, there remains a since of digital divide, which draws lines in “low-income and minority students” and within poorer communities (Roblyer, 15). In 2014, the Huffington Post noted the challenge of providing the most up-to-date technology allowed schools in New York, as the same across the country, “to teach students the latest technology information and best incorporate technology into daily learning” (Osborne, 2014).
Technology also allows more access to subject content, resources, teachers, and classmates. The use of emails and learning management systems (Google Classroom, Blackboard, and Moodle) open the door to group work outside of the traditional classrooms. Most times group work can be done without technology; however, it can be “motivated to work cooperatively on presentation software and website production projects (Roblyer, 23). “Learning through projects while equipped with technology tools allows students to be intellectually challenged while providing them with a realistic snapshot of what the modern office looks like” (Edutopia, 2008).
Overall, technology focuses on improving student knowledge for future workplaces and college, divides the gap in schools and communities, and brings students together. As technology becomes more prominent in classrooms, society will continue to find ways for its utilization and advancement to assist all students in learning.
Resources:
Edutopia. March 2008. Why integrate technology into the curriculum: The reasons are many. http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction
Osborne, Brian. November 2014. The Huffington Post. School teachnology: Important for teaching, learning. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brian-osborne/school-technology-importa_b_6228480.html
Roblyer, M.D.. 2016. Integrating educational technology into teaching. Boston: Pearson.
