EDLD 5364 - Teaching with Technology Week 1 Reading & Video Reflection

This week we read about the effectiveness of technology in the classroom, constructivism which, as a perspective in education, explains how knowledge is constructed in the human being when information comes into contact with existing knowledge that had been developed by experiences. One of our readings covered Connectivism too, which deals with the theory of learning which emphasizes the role of the social and cultural context. 

Other readings and videos focused on social networking, technologies in education, how people learn through brain, mind, experience and school and a number of other tech. education related articles. I think the one that got me most was the cyborg theory. Implanting chips and hooking up wires and cables to your nervous system………..made me nervous! That was crazy, crazy madness. It’s sometimes mind blowing to see where technology has come from, where it is now, and where it’ll be in the near future.  

In Using Technology with Classroom Instruction That Works, (Ringstaff & Kelley, 2002; Schacter, 1999), explains; Why Technology. Research indicates that technologies used in the classroom can have an additional positive influence on student learning when the learning goals are clearly articulated prior to the technology’s use. (p. 3) Applied effectively, technology implementation not only increases student learning, understanding, and achievement but also augments motivation to learn, encourages collaborative learning, and supports the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills (Schacter & Fagnano, 1999). Russell and Sorge (1999) also point to how technology can give students “more control over their own learning,” facilitating the analytical and critical thinking and the collaboration championed in the constructivist approach to education (pp. 1-2).

I can truly see where all the above statements are so on point. If applied effectively, there can be an increase in student achievement of Form. Students will be more prone to participate, become more “self-thinkers”, and analyze problems more critically. However, it is very hard to accomplish these goals if our educators are not prepared. I think this is the main point. We all know that this society is 100% tech driven; our students are 100% on board, but so many of our educator’s feel they are being left behind. They see the technology, they like what it can do, but as far as its uses in the classroom, so many are clueless. If we can provide appropriate training, to our educators the achievements will be many and great.

Abbott, J. (nd). Building Knowledge: Constructivism in Learning. [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F00R3pOXzuk

McPheeters, D. (2009, March). Social networking technologies in education. Tech and Learning, 29(8).Retrieved from http://www.techlearning.com/article/16250

Pitler, H., Hubbell, E., Kuhn, M., & Malenoski, K. (2007). Using technology with classroom instruction that works. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Introduction, 1 – 14.

Siemens, G. (nd). The Changing Nature of Knowledge  [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMcTHndpzYg

Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). Web 2.0: New tools, new schools. Eugene, OR: International Society for Technology in Education, 7-44. 

Southwest Educational Development Laboratory, (1999). Learning as a personal event: A brief introduction to constructivism. Retrieved from http://www.sedl.org/pubs/tec26/intro2c.html

Sprague, D. & Dede, C. (1999). If I teach this way, Am I doing my job: Constructivism in the classroom. Leading and Learning, 27(1). Retrieved from the International Society for Technology in Education at http://imet.csus.edu/imet9/280/docs/dede_constructivisim.pdf

Warwirk, K. (nd). Cyborg Life [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RB_l7SY_ngI