Technology Integration
Encyclopedia
Technology Integration is the use of technology tools in general content areas in education in order to allow students to apply computer and technology
skills to learning and problem-solving. Generally speaking, the curriculum
drives the use of technology and not vice versa.
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has established technology standards for students, teachers and administrators in K-12
classrooms. The ISTE, a leader in helping teachers become more effective users of technology, offers this definition of technology integration:
Integrating technology with standard curriculum gives students a sense of power, but also allows for more advanced learning among broad topics. Technology contributes to global development and diversity in classrooms and helps develop upon the fundamental building blocks needed for students to achieve more complex ideas.
(NETS) served as a roadmap since 1998 for improved teaching and learning by educators. As stated above, these standards are used by teachers, students, and administrators to measure competency and set higher goals to be skillful in the technology
in the 21st century.
, driven more by the affordances of the technology rather than the demands of pedagogy and subject matter. One approach that attempts to address this concern is a framework aimed at describing the nature of teacher knowledge for successful technology integration. The Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge
or TPACK framework has recently received some positive attention.
is a crucial component of technology integration. It is a learning theory
that describes the process of students constructing their own knowledge
through collaboration and inquiry-based learning
. According to this theory, students learn more deeply and retain information longer when they have a say in what and how they will learn. Inquiry-based learning, thus, is researching a question that is personally relevant and purposeful because of its direct correlation to the one investigating the knowledge.
As stated by Jean Piaget
, constructivist learning is based on four stages of cognitive development. In these stages, children must take an active role in their own learning and produce meaningful works in order to develop a clear understanding. These works are a reflection of the knowledge that has been achieved through active self-guided learning. Students are active leaders in their learning and the learning is student-led rather than teacher–directed.
Many teachers use a constructivist approach in their classrooms assuming one or more of the following roles: facilitator, collaborator, curriculum developer, team member, community builder, educational leader, or information producer.
s are used in many schools as replacements for standard whiteboards and provide a way to allow students to interact with material on the computer. In addition, some interactive whiteboards software allow teachers to record their instruction and post the material for review by students at a later time.
Interactive Whiteboards are another way that technology is expanding in schools. By assisting the teacher to helping students more kinestically as well as finding different ways to process there information throughout the entire classroom.
Among other tools that have been noted as being effective as a way of technology integration are podcasts, digital cameras digital media
, and blogs.
, is a project-based activity
which helps students gain experience in exploring and browsing the internet
. A CyberHunt may ask students to interact with the site (i.e.: play a game or watch a video), record short answers to teacher questions, as well as read and write about a topic in depth. There are basically 2 types of cyberhunts:
s are student-centered, web-based curricular units that are interactive and use Internet resources. The purpose of a webQuest is to use information
on the web
to support the instruction taught in the classroom. A webQuest consists of an introduction, a task (or final project that students complete at the end of the WebQuest), processes (or instructional activities), web-based resources, evaluation of learning, reflection about learning, and a conclusion.
(WISE) provides a platform for creating inquiry science projects for middle school and high school students using evidence and resources from the Web. Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, WISE has been developed at the University of California, Berkeley
from 1996 until the present. WISE inquiry projects include diverse elements such as online discussions, data collection, drawing, argument creation, resource sharing, concept mapping and other built-in tools, as well as links to relevant web resources.
is a website that allows the students to experience places, ideas, or objects beyond the constraints of the classroom.
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
skills to learning and problem-solving. Generally speaking, the curriculum
Curriculum
See also Syllabus.In formal education, a curriculum is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow to become mature adults...
drives the use of technology and not vice versa.
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has established technology standards for students, teachers and administrators in K-12
K-12
K–12 is a designation for the sum of primary and secondary education. It is used in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand where P–12 is also commonly used...
classrooms. The ISTE, a leader in helping teachers become more effective users of technology, offers this definition of technology integration:
"Curriculum integration with the use of technology involves the infusion of technology as a tool to enhance the learning in a content area or multidisciplinary setting... Effective integration of technology is achieved when students are able to select technology tools to help them obtain information in a timely manner, analyze and synthesize the information, and present it professionally. The technology should become an integral part of how the classroom functions — as accessible as all other classroom tools. The focus in each lesson or unit is the curriculum outcome, not the technology."
Integrating technology with standard curriculum gives students a sense of power, but also allows for more advanced learning among broad topics. Technology contributes to global development and diversity in classrooms and helps develop upon the fundamental building blocks needed for students to achieve more complex ideas.
Technology Education Standards
National Educational Technology StandardsNational Educational Technology Standards
The National Educational Technology Standards are a set of standards published by the International Society for Technology in Education for the purpose of leveraging the use of technology in K-12 education to enable students to learn effectively and live productively in an increasingly digital...
(NETS) served as a roadmap since 1998 for improved teaching and learning by educators. As stated above, these standards are used by teachers, students, and administrators to measure competency and set higher goals to be skillful in the technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
in the 21st century.
Paradigms
Most research in technology integration has been criticized for being atheoretical and ad hocAd hoc
Ad hoc is a Latin phrase meaning "for this". It generally signifies a solution designed for a specific problem or task, non-generalizable, and not intended to be able to be adapted to other purposes. Compare A priori....
, driven more by the affordances of the technology rather than the demands of pedagogy and subject matter. One approach that attempts to address this concern is a framework aimed at describing the nature of teacher knowledge for successful technology integration. The Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge
Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge
Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge is a framework to understand and describe the kinds of knowledge needed by a teacher for effective pedagogical practice in a technology enhanced learning environment. The idea of pedagogical content knowledge was first described by Lee Shulman and...
or TPACK framework has recently received some positive attention.
Constructivism in Technology Integration
ConstructivismConstructivism (learning theory)
Constructivism is a theory of knowledge that argues that humans generate knowledge and meaning from an interaction between their experiences and their ideas. During infancy, it was an interaction between human experiences and their reflexes or behavior-patterns. Piaget called these systems of...
is a crucial component of technology integration. It is a learning theory
Constructivism (learning theory)
Constructivism is a theory of knowledge that argues that humans generate knowledge and meaning from an interaction between their experiences and their ideas. During infancy, it was an interaction between human experiences and their reflexes or behavior-patterns. Piaget called these systems of...
that describes the process of students constructing their own knowledge
Knowledge
Knowledge is a familiarity with someone or something unknown, which can include information, facts, descriptions, or skills acquired through experience or education. It can refer to the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject...
through collaboration and inquiry-based learning
Inquiry-based learning
Inquiry-based learning or inquiry-based science describes a range of philosophical, curricular and pedagogical approaches to teaching....
. According to this theory, students learn more deeply and retain information longer when they have a say in what and how they will learn. Inquiry-based learning, thus, is researching a question that is personally relevant and purposeful because of its direct correlation to the one investigating the knowledge.
As stated by Jean Piaget
Jean Piaget
Jean Piaget was a French-speaking Swiss developmental psychologist and philosopher known for his epistemological studies with children. His theory of cognitive development and epistemological view are together called "genetic epistemology"....
, constructivist learning is based on four stages of cognitive development. In these stages, children must take an active role in their own learning and produce meaningful works in order to develop a clear understanding. These works are a reflection of the knowledge that has been achieved through active self-guided learning. Students are active leaders in their learning and the learning is student-led rather than teacher–directed.
Many teachers use a constructivist approach in their classrooms assuming one or more of the following roles: facilitator, collaborator, curriculum developer, team member, community builder, educational leader, or information producer.
Tools
Various tools have or are being used in technology integration. Some examples of such tools are:Interactive whiteboards
Interactive whiteboardInteractive whiteboard
An interactive whiteboard , is a large interactive display that connects to a computer and projector. A projector projects the computer's desktop onto the board's surface where users control the computer using a pen, finger, stylus, or other device...
s are used in many schools as replacements for standard whiteboards and provide a way to allow students to interact with material on the computer. In addition, some interactive whiteboards software allow teachers to record their instruction and post the material for review by students at a later time.
- 3D3D computer graphics3D computer graphics are graphics that use a three-dimensional representation of geometric data that is stored in the computer for the purposes of performing calculations and rendering 2D images...
virtual environments are also used with interactive whiteboards as a way for students to interact with 3D virtual learningVirtual learning environmentDefined largely by usage, the term virtual learning environment has most, if not all, of the following salient properties:* It is Web-based* It uses Web 2.0 tools for rich 2-way interaction* It includes a content management system...
objects employing kinetics and haptic touch the classroom. An example of the use of this technique is the open-source project EdusimEdusimEdusim is a Cave Automatic Virtual Environment "Immersive Touch" 3D Natural User Interface based concept of lesson driven 3D virtual worlds on the classroom interactive whiteboard or classroom interactive surface...
. - Research has been carried out to track the worldwide Interactive Whiteboard market by Decision Tree Consulting (DTC), a worldwide research company. According to the results, interactive Whiteboards continue to be the biggest technology revolution in classrooms, across the world there are over 1.2 million boards installed, over 5 million classrooms are forecast to have Interactive Whiteboards installed by 2011, Americas are the biggest region closely followed by EMEAEurope, the Middle East and AfricaEurope, the Middle East and Africa, usually abbreviated to EMEA, is a regional designation used for government, marketing and business purposes...
, and Mexico’s EnciclomediaEnciclomediaEnciclomedia is a program of the Secretaría de Educación Pública of Mexico. It was the original idea of Dr. Felipe Bracho Carpizo in 1988 when he was the Director of Oriented Research of National Council of Science and Technology.Dr...
project to equip 145,000 classrooms is worth $1.8 billion and is the largest education technology project in the world. - Interactive whiteboards can accommodate different learning styles, such as visual, tactile, and audio.
Interactive Whiteboards are another way that technology is expanding in schools. By assisting the teacher to helping students more kinestically as well as finding different ways to process there information throughout the entire classroom.
Student Response Systems
Student response systems consist of handheld remote control units, or response pads, which are operated by individual students. An infrared or radio frequency receiver attached to the teacher's computer collects the data submitted by students. The CPS (Classroom Performance System), once set, allows the teacher to pose a question to students in several formats. Students then use the response pad to send their answer to the infrared sensor. Data collected from these systems is available to the teacher in real time and can be presented to the students in a graph form on an LCD projector. The teacher can also access a variety of reports to collect and analyze student data. These systems have been used in higher education science courses since the 1970s and have become popular in K-12 classrooms beginning in the early 21st century.Among other tools that have been noted as being effective as a way of technology integration are podcasts, digital cameras digital media
Digital media
Digital media is a form of electronic media where data is stored in digital form. It can refer to the technical aspect of storage and transmission Digital media is a form of electronic media where data is stored in digital (as opposed to analog) form. It can refer to the technical aspect of...
, and blogs.
CyberHunt
a cyberHunt, or internet scavenger huntInternet scavenger hunt
An Internet scavenger hunt or CyberHunt is an educational lesson which introduces the Internet to students. It is often used as tool for teaching students how to search the Internet and how to use the resources and information available on the Internet....
, is a project-based activity
Project-based learning
Project-based learning, or PBL, is the use of in-depth and rigorous classroom projects to facilitate learning and assess student competence . Students use technology and inquiry to respond to a complex issue, problem or challenge...
which helps students gain experience in exploring and browsing the internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
. A CyberHunt may ask students to interact with the site (i.e.: play a game or watch a video), record short answers to teacher questions, as well as read and write about a topic in depth. There are basically 2 types of cyberhunts:
- A simple task, in which the teacher develops a series of questions and gives the students a hypertextHypertextHypertext is text displayed on a computer or other electronic device with references to other text that the reader can immediately access, usually by a mouse click or keypress sequence. Apart from running text, hypertext may contain tables, images and other presentational devices. Hypertext is the...
link to the URL that will give them the answer. - A more complex task, intended for increasing and improving student internet search skills. Teachers ask questions for students to answer using a search engine.
WebQuests
WebQuestWebQuest
A WebQuest, according to WebQuest.org, is an inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information that learners work with comes from the web...
s are student-centered, web-based curricular units that are interactive and use Internet resources. The purpose of a webQuest is to use information
Information
Information in its most restricted technical sense is a message or collection of messages that consists of an ordered sequence of symbols, or it is the meaning that can be interpreted from such a message or collection of messages. Information can be recorded or transmitted. It can be recorded as...
on the web
World Wide Web
The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet...
to support the instruction taught in the classroom. A webQuest consists of an introduction, a task (or final project that students complete at the end of the WebQuest), processes (or instructional activities), web-based resources, evaluation of learning, reflection about learning, and a conclusion.
WISE
The Web-based Inquiry Science EnvironmentWeb-based Inquiry Science Environment
The Web-based Inquiry Science Environment is a program hosted by Berkeley University and supported by the National Science Foundation. It provides a platform for creating inquiry-based science projects for middle school and high school students to work collaboratively using evidence and resources...
(WISE) provides a platform for creating inquiry science projects for middle school and high school students using evidence and resources from the Web. Funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, WISE has been developed at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
from 1996 until the present. WISE inquiry projects include diverse elements such as online discussions, data collection, drawing, argument creation, resource sharing, concept mapping and other built-in tools, as well as links to relevant web resources.
Virtual Field Trip
A Virtual field tripVirtual field trip
A virtual field trip is a guided exploration through the A virtual field trip is a guided exploration through the A virtual field trip is a guided exploration through the [[world wide web that organizes a collection of pre-screened, thematically based [[web page]]s into a structured online learning...
is a website that allows the students to experience places, ideas, or objects beyond the constraints of the classroom.
ePortfolio
An ePortfolio is a collection of student work that exhibits the student's achievements in one or more areas over time. Components in a typical student ePortfolio might contain creative writings, paintings, photography, math explorations, music, and videos.External links
- INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARDS IN THE CLASSROOM
- Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK) Wiki
- Educational CyberPlayGround Site of articles about teaching, including the use of technology
- digital storytelling
- PowerPoint presentation on technology integration.
- AU Center for Social Media School of Communication American University http://www.centerforsocialmedia.org/resources/publications/code_for_media_literacy_education