Teaching+with+Technology+week+2

While there are many different authors, each with a different opinion on how technology can and is used in the education system varies depending on what you read. However, what they all do agree on is that technology can improve students' achievement and increase self-esteem. Especially, those students who come from SES schools and have little or know technology in their homes; having the use of technology in the classrooms make learning fun and intriguing for students of all ages, if used correctly. What we, as teachers, must remember is that while technology has become a very important aspect of teaching in this 21st century; we as teachers still have the obligation to ensure the technology is implemented in a way which will correlate with the objectives and the TEKS of their State. Technology in itself is no more than a piece of equipment or software used; it is the responsibility of the schools and the teachers to use them correctly. According to the Sivin-Kachala's Review of the Research; their inconclusive findings showed that the level of effectiveness of educational technology is influenced only the specific student population, the software design being used and the educator's role and the availability of the technology. (Schacter, J., 1999) While this may be considered inconclusive findings, as an instructor in the school system, this statement has more conclusive truth than was realized in 1999. The extent of access to updated technology, both hardware and software, play a very important part on student achievement. Those schools, such as the SES schools, who struggle with keeping current technology available to students do not see the same results as those schools who do not suffer from the same from the same dilemma. I see this in the district where I teach, a small rural 1A school where 95% of the student population are from low-economic homes with no technology, outside of a cell phone in some. These students have only known the technology which is being used in their school and the effects of that technology. However, due to the district being a small Title 1 school with limited budget, the technology being used is not up-to-date. Computers which are 10 years old trying to use some of the more current software has proven to be a negative than a positive. What we as instructors have to focus on using the technology we have and look for positives. What Pitler said in Chapter 1 of the text //Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works// made me realize that while our technology maybe old and out of date, it can still be useful. The first thing Pitler said that made me stop and think was on setting objectives. According to Pitler, McRel's research on setting objectives is that instructional goals should be narrowed to what the students can focus on, encourage students to personalize the learning goals the teacher has identified for them and instructional goals should not be too specific.(Pitler, 2007) With these tips, even though the technology maybe old it is still useful and can be helpful to students who might otherwise struggle with learning certain concepts. For example, using a Word Processing program with the KWL chart can help students to set objectives. This is just one example how technology, even old technology, can be used in the classrooms as a benefit to students in their learning. While the opinions may differ, the question of “Does technology make a difference in the classroom?” has been answered, time and again, by the increase in student self-esteem and the improvement of achievement. Regardless of the size or age of the technology made available in our schools, how it is used is what makes the difference. Proof of this has been found even in the small schools, where students who otherwise would not have access to technology, are learning skills which will carry them far in the working world and in college, for those who choose to go to college. Either, students who do go to college will have the skills needed to succeed in college. Technology can and does make a significant difference in the educational system, as research will continue to prove.

Pitler H., H. E. (2007). //Using Technology with Classroom Instruction that Works.// Alexander: ASCD. Schacter, J. (1999). //The Impact of Education Technology on Student Achievement: What the Most Current Research Has to Say.// Retrieved from Milken Exchange : www.milkenexchange.org