In a 21st century classroom,
technology is a key component. Students
enter the classroom as early as the preschool level with a background in
technology. In order to engage learners
and make the most of this background knowledge, teachers can use technology to
enhance their lessons. According to an
article in EdTechReview by Bhaskar (2013) :
54% of 21st century kids start using mobile
devices when they are 5 to 8 years old.
30% of the apps on parents’ mobile are downloaded
specially for their children’s usage.
77% of the parents accept that usage of tablet
increases children’s learning & creativity.
72% of iTunes top selling apps are designed for
pre-schoolers and elementary students.
When used appropriately by teachers,
technology can be extremely effective in the classroom. This is easier said
than done though with all of the technology choices available for
classrooms. Teachers must be aware of
effective resources, lesson ideas, and training, so that they can make the most
of the tools available to them.
Factors that
Influence the Use of Technology in the Classroom
Teacher Beliefs
Teacher beliefs
about technology generally play a large role in how they integrate technology
into their lessons. According to the
study, Factors influencing digital technology use in early childhood education by
Blackwell, Lauricella, and Wartella (2014) “intrinsic barriers, such as
preexisting teaching beliefs, attitudes toward the educational value of
technology, and comfort with technology have been shown to influence the ways
in which teachers use technology in the classroom”(p. 82). Often if teachers do not see the value in
using the technology, they will not work hard to implement it in their
classroom. Even after implementing a 1:1
initiative with i Pads in my current school this past year, I still see that
some teachers just do not see the value in using the i Pads consistently. It is very difficult to change preexisting
beliefs and attitudes, but with the right training and models, I think this can
be done.Teacher Training
This leads to the next major factor that influences the use of technology in the classroom, teacher training. If teachers do not feel comfortable with the technology, and they are not trained consistenly, their use of this technology will greatly diminish. Blackwell, Lauricella, and Wartella (2014) also found in their study that “support specifically targeting teachers’ understanding of how to use technology to aid children’s learning is an essential component to helping them use technology in their classrooms”(p. 87). Building a teacher’s confidence in using technology also can help them to see the value in using it in the classroom. These two factors influencing technology go hand in hand, and both must be addressed when implementing a program to effectively use technology in classrooms.
Best Practices in a 21st Century Classroom
Technology in itself cannot and will not improve learning. Technology is just another tool to use to enhance learning that is already taking place. Knowing this, there are many practices that make technology effective when used in the classroom. These best practices will create a 21st Century Classroom.
Digital Citizenship
This is the first idea that students must grasp to use technology effectively. Creating a good digital citizen means that students know about privacy online, that a digital footprint follows them forever, and that being online is no different than speaking to someone face to face. If students do not understand that they can leave a digital footprint, their use of technology may not be appropriate for education when left to work independently. Even in pre-school, students understand that they should only use their first name online and that they should not talk to strangers.
Personalized Instruction
With so many 1:1 initiatives in place, learning can become much more personalized. While there are many apps that support this, just having a tool to use, such as an i Pad, to find any information that is needed helps to personalize learning. In an article from Edutopia.org Tsisana Palmer (2015) states that “When students are allowed to make their own choices, they own their learning, increase intrinsic motivation, and put in more effort”. If students can choose how to present information or take control of their learning, they will be more focused and motivated to do work in the classroom at any age.
Connecting to the World
Social Media in the classroom does need to be used cautiously, but one way to connect students to the outside world is to use blogs. Creating a teacher controlled blog where students post is an excellent way for students to post what they are learning and learn from others. This enhances writing because it makes writing authentic and meaningful. I have used a classroom blog for two years now, and it greatly increases the amount of writing that students produce. They also are more excited to write and be a part of the writing process. Having a classroom twitter account also increases writing and motivation. I implemented this last year, and I saw amazing results with student engagement and writing. Students wrote blog posts so they could tweet them out and share!
While independent work is of course necessary, using technology to collaborate is an excellent way to enhance learning. Teachers can collaborate with students through Google Classroom, Google Docs, or other Social Media sites like EdModo or Schoology. Students can also collaborate with each other by creating projects online, writing stories and plays together, or collaborating to solve math problems. My students loved to work on shared writing using www.storybird.com. They also solved story problems together and shared solutions on our blog. Another great way to collaborate is to use www.todaysmeet.com to share. I used this website to have students backchannel during read aloud time. Students would share their thinking online so that the flow of the story was not interrupted. According to Educational Technology leader Alan November (2013) there must be “a shift of control from the teacher at the center to the network of children who are helping one another learn.” This idea of student collaboration for learning is essential to integrating technology effectively.
Project-Based Learning
Learning can be more student-centered with the availability of knowledge that is at students’ fingertips. Students can create their own questions, solutions to problems, and projects that show their findings. The foundation of project-based learning is the idea that “in order to learn more deeply and perform better on complex tasks” students must have the opportunity to engage in authentic learning projects that allow for students to use their subject knowledge to solve real world problems and create projects that demonstrate learning
Evaluating Online Resources
The Internet allows for infinite knowledge, but not all of this knowledge is accurate or reliable. It is important as a teacher to evaluate resources found online, and it is also important to teach students to do this as they come across information as well. Modeling this and teaching this will ensure that learning can be personalized, projects can be researched effectively, and the knowledge students are gaining is accurate.
Technology and Its Effect on Student Achievement
When properly implemented, technology can improve student achievement. In a research report from the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) journal Protheroe (2005) found that “Sivin-Kachala et al. (2000) analyzed 219 recent research studies to assess the effect of computer technology on learning and achievement across all learning domains and all ages. In addition to positive effects on achievement in major subject areas, they found effective use of technology fostered the development of more positive student attitudes toward themselves and toward learning” (p. 47). When students are engaged in the content they are learning, it makes sense that their achievement would increase. Technology allows for students to be engaged in the curriculum, and it allows students to take charge of their own learning. When teachers implement technology using the best practices listed above, their students’ achievement can increase if these practices enhance the curriculum that is in place. I have seen first-hand the impact technology can have when used appropriately. My third graders started using i Pads with a 1:1 initiative in December. At the end of the year, each student made gains in both reading and math. Their math scores on average were much higher than their reading scores. I used all of the best practices listed above to support my curriculum, and I can see the benefits of using technology appropriately in the classroom.
Sources:
Bhaskar, S. (2013, September 1). Impact of Technology in Elementary Classrooms. Retrieved July 23, 2015, from http://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/trends/658-impact-of-technology-in-elementary-classrooms
Blackwell, C., Lauricella, A., & Wartella, E. (2014). Factors influencing digital technology use in early childhood education. Computers & Education, 82-90.
Jackson, S. (2013, December 16). How Technology Can Encourage Student Collaboration. Retrieved July 23, 2015, from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/educators/blog/how-technology-can-encourage-student-collaboration
Palmer, T. (2015, June 20). 15 Characteristics of a 21st Century Teacher. Retrieved July 23, 2015, from http://www.edutopia.org/discussion/15-characteristics-21st-century-teacher
Protheroe, N. (2005). Technology and Student Achievement. National Association of Elementary School Principals, 85(2), 46-48.
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