Unit 1 - Introduction - Why Integrate Technology?

From KNILT

Return to Course home page: Fearless Integration Of Technology In The Elementary Classroom

Go on to: Unit 2


andreaz-technologicallysavvy.blogspot.com

Unit 1: Objectives

Delving into the reasons and benefits of seamless integration of technology into the curriculum

Overreaching Goals:

  • Increase understanding of the importance of integrating technology into instruction and assessment
  • Identify key 21st Century skills and learner attributes
  • Analyze, reflect and discuss barriers to effective integration of technology

Lesson 1: 21st Century Learners

Who ARE 21st Century Learners?

A. Go to this link and answer the following questions based upon your current knowledge - even if it is limited:

  • 21st Century Learners – Who do I think they are? How would I describe them?
  • What do I think are some characteristics of 21st Century Learners?
  • What skills do I believe they will they need to function in the 21st Century world we live in?
  • What skills do I think I will need in order to help my students?


B. Gathering Data

Once you are done with part A, Watch these two videos - keeping your response to the previous questions in mind:


Dr. Tony Wagner, co-director of Harvard's Change Leadership Group has identified what he calls a "global achievement gap," which is the leap between what even our best schools are teaching, and the must-have skills of the future.


In the 21st century, the most perceptive educational thinkers recognize that something new is happening to learning.

C: Activity

NOTE: For this activity, you will need a free Google account and permission from the instructor to post responses. Please email jmweber@albany.edu with the subject line: "Blog Access", and please mention if you need assistance setting up a Google account.


Now that you have heard from some experts, revisit the initial responses you made to these questions earlier, and decide if any of your original responses need amending. Then, go to the class blog and add a journal entry discussing your previous responses and explain any revisions you have made to your initial response.

  • 21st Century Learners – Who do I think they are? How would I describe them?
  • What do I think are some characteristics of 21st Century Learners?
  • What skills do I believe they will they need to function in the 21st Century world we live in?
  • What skills do I think I will need in order to help my students?


Lesson 2: Resistance and Fear vs.Embracing and Enthusiasm

A. Gathering MORE Data

Read the following two articles: Just as logistics and budgets can become barriers to effective implementation of technology, attitudes and fear can be just as detrimental to the process. These two articles address issues that you may need to address in order to incorporate more effective uses of technology in your instruction and assessment. While reading, thoughtfully consider points that you identify with or recognize in fellow colleagues.

Breaking The Log-Jam: Teaching The Teachers About Technology Education Technology Solutions, 2012

Resistance is Futile T.H.E. Journal, 2009

B. Activity

  • Choose three (3) ideas from the articles that struck you the most, and create a “Concept Map” or graphic representation of your thoughts and concerns. For each concern, indicate some ideas that you feel might help move you and/or your colleagues to becoming more enthusiastic and passionate about creating a 21st Century classroom that fully integrates technologies into many aspects of learning.

Attached here is a very basic, over-simplified sample, to give you an idea to start with. feel free to show it in any way that makes sense to you, and add enough detail to clearly demonstrate your thinking on this topic. Below are suggested sites and programs you might choose to use.

Example concept map

After you have created your organizer/concept map, upload your document to the Class Blog (email jmweber@albany.edu if you need assistance saving & uploading your map.)

THEN: View and comment on others' posted work.

(https://sites.google.com/site/techintheclassrooms/class-discussion-home-page)


ALTERNATE OPTION: Text-based organizer

Post a simple text-only outline of your ideas to the blog.


NOTE: You can use any program you like to create your organizer. Below are a few suggestions – some web-based, some programs that many schools have available:

  • The following are easy to use, no account/profile needed, web-based organizers:
  • These are programs that you might have available in your school:
  • Inspiration or Kidspiration
  • Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, Draw

Or hand-drawing it and scanning it in to upload also works.

Unit 1 - Conclusion

Independent Reflection: Having read the articles, watched the videos and discussed with others in this course, has your opinion or perception of the importance of integrating more technology into the classroom changed? In What way? If asked by an administrator, parent or colleague, would you be able to identify reasons to invest the time (and money) into ensuring that students have learning experiences that include using 21 century technologies?


Return to Course home page: Fearless Integration Of Technology In The Elementary Classroom

Go on to: Unit 2


Sources:

Kinash, S., & Kordyban, R. (2012).Breaking the log-jam: Teaching the teachers about technology. Informally published manuscript, Teaching and Learning, Bond University, QLD 4229 AUSTRALIA. , Available from epublications@bond. Retrieved from http://epublications.bond.edu.au/tls/33/ also found: http://educationtechnologysolutions.com.au/2012/07/03/breaking-the-log-jam-teaching-the-teachers-about-technology/

O'Hanlon, C. (March 2009). Resistance is futile: even as technology use grows... T.H.E. Journal (Technological Horizons In Education), 36, 3. p.32(4). Retrieved December 04, 2012, from Academic OneFile via Gale: http://find.galegroup.com.libproxy.albany.edu/gtx/start.do?userGroupName=albanyu&prodId=AONE

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