Why Should Technology Exist in the Classroom?
Technology is something that we can't run from - it's everywhere. It has to exist in the classroom, because it exists in the world. However, just because it has to exist, doesn't mean that we can't utilize the already existing trends to enhance the learning in our classrooms. We've seen the implementation of technological teaching over the past years and it's single-handedly (along with those brave teachers that are new to technology) changed our classrooms. It's changed our classrooms into classrooms that go beyond books that we are given into a classroom with access to knowledge from across the world. Technology should exist in the classroom because it enhances our classrooms, our content, and our students - which at the end of the day, is the purpose of educators and education.
What is the Purpose of Technology in Education?
The purpose of the technology in the classroom can be summed up in three simple, yet very powerful words:
ENGAGE. ENHANCE. EMPOWER.
Technology, if implemented in the classroom in the creative ways that it can be, could be the most vital tool in reaching all students and engaging them in learning. It enhances their education by providing new outlets to really learn the content. It also empowers them with the tools and skills needed to go into our technology driven world, past grade school, past college, and past graduate school/extended study. It not only helps the students, but also the teachers. It allows the teachers to be able to engage in the lesson and learn with the student (especially if they aren't as experienced with certain technology) - it can be a learning experience for them too. It enhances their teaching abilities and allows them to become creative with lesson planning, teaching, and preparing our students. It also empowers with the technological skills needed to be great educators in technology-driven classrooms.
My Experience With Technology in the Classroom
Throughout my education, I've been surrounded by technology since kindergarten. Whether it be one computer that we had in class that we would take turns using or a billion laptop carts flooding our classrooms. It comes with our generation. We've become accustomed to it and it's a norm now in our life. My experience has been mostly positive because I've always have had a love for technology so I loved being exposed to it regularly and in my classes (even with just one computer). I think that the biggest thing that we can do in our classrooms next year as student teachers and with our own classroom, we should have at least one technology piece with our lessons per day. That can range from using Prezi for class lectures, having students do research, etc.
We should continue using technology in the classroom and continue to ENGAGE - ENHANCE - EMPOWER.
