Hello kind
citizens of the Value of Art History Blog ~
The SNHU academic
graduate Class 533, Technology
Integration, has imparted some remarkably significant changes for me, your
guide-by-your-side. Class 533 has truly
empowered me as a possible K-12 Teacher or Technical Instructor.
SNHU Class 533
has taken me on an academic adventure that I really did not foresee or even consider.
But it has most assuredly left me far more knowledgeable, more confident in my
research and writing skills, and above all, a soldier for technology integration
for EVERYBODY who desires to better there life survival skills on this
connected globe!
Although I am
not entirely positive about my future endeavors as either a K-12 Teacher or,
resuming my Technology Instructional work, I am now seeing things so
differently, so positively! Yes, this
class did push me – yes, I was wrought with anxiety at times -- but I just knew
I could grab this “tiger-by-the-tail”
and flourish using my own skills and talents!
Ahead, I now CLEARLY see a leadership role in Technology Integration
instead of a hazy muddle of future plans. And yes, I plan to continue to pursue
doctoral studies in an educational leadership role. I do believe the world
could use some of my written and illustrative direction and guidance in
education.
“Technology is a tool that, when paired with effective
instructional practices, enables students to develop critical thinking skills
through collaboration, sharing, remixing, creating, and analyzing new content
and applying that knowledge to real-world situations” (Strickland, 1999).
Currently, the effective integration of
technology is at a crossroads. We know
that technology integration is a bridge
to improved educational planning. The most urgent issues are an immediate examination
of mandated funding for access for all; Common Core Standards; and Brain-Based Educational
Strategies as evidence for technology integration.
The most
effective use of technology is to, "transform the
nature of a subject at the most fundamental level. Technology-based curricular
transformation happens only in those few content areas (e.g., music, literacy,
and art) that are "largely defined by the media they use" (Harris,
2008, p. 47).
Several top
world academic performers -- South Korea, Finland and Singapore – have moved
past the US in world wide academic ratings.
The endorsement
of both district and state standards is, “an almost endless list of
things that we would like the next generation of schools to do. It includes
critical thinking, foster collaboration, consistent technology integration, and
a more consistently student-centered and engaging curriculum approach. The more highly skilled our teachers are, the
greater our chances of achieving these goals” (Mehta, 2013).
Mr. Obama was joined by
his education secretary, Arne Duncan, whose department would work with the
F.C.C. to revamp the technology in education initiative at 99 percent of
schools in the next five years. Known as
E-rate, to provide local
schools with Internet speeds of up to 1 gigabit per second. Also expected is that, private companies will expand
their offerings of devices and products like electronic textbooks in response
to this expanded program. The commission plans to expand existing programs even
if it meant increasing the fees that for years had been added to consumers’
phone bills.
In
conclusion, educators are ethically-bound to properly bridge the digital divide
and consider the manner and quality in which technology integration is used to meet the instructional needs of all students. Teachers must
examine: technology operations and concepts; planning and
designing learning environments and experiences; teaching, learning and the
curriculum issues; assessment
and evaluation; productivity and professional practice; and social,
ethical, legal and human issues (Willis,
2011).
Have a very happy, healthy,
and e-responsible summer of 2013!
Lorelei
SNHU Graduate Student, Fine Artist - illustrator,intaglio,watercolor, writer, Mum,
& animal advocate
References
Calmes, J. Wyatt, E. (June 2013). Obama Promises to Have High-Speed
Internet in Most Schools in 5 Years. Retrieved 10 June 2013 from: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/us/politics/obama-to-seek-more-internet-aid-for-schools-and-libraries.html
Day,
L. (2013). Bridging the Digital Divide. Retrieved 11 June 2013 from: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/bridging-the-new-digital-divide-lori-day
Harris,
J., Mishra, P., & Koehler, M. (2009). Teachers' technological pedagogical
content knowledge and learning activity types: Curriculum-based technology
integration reframed. Journal
of Research on Technology in Education, 41(4),
393-416. Retrieved 22 May 2013 from SNH Shapiro Library: http://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/docview/274712168?accountid=3783
Mehta,
J. (2013). Teachers: will we ever
learn? New York Times, Educational
Section, April 13, 2013. Retrieved from
New York Times June 6, 2013: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/13/opinion/teachers-will-we-ever-learn.html?pagewanted=all.
Strickland, C.A. (2004). Differentiation in the general
education classroom. Gifted Child Today, 27(3),
7-7. Retrieved 12 May 2013 from SNHU
Shapiro Library: http://ezproxy.snhu.edu/login?url=http://search.proquest.com/
Willis,
J., MD (2011). Three brain-based learning strategies. Retrieved 11 june 2013
from: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/brain-based-teaching-strategies-judy-willis
