Challenges of Integrating Technology in the Classroom

I believe there are three important factors which affect integration of technology in school systems. These factors include funding, school curriculum, and classroom space. Unfortunately, not all schools are privileged to have access to computer labs. Funding affects cuts in electives, extra curricular activites, and educational advancements such as technology. If there is not enough money to provide computers in school, students will be missing out on an innovative tool to learn. To overcome this hurdle, teachers can express to the school board the importance of technology in the classroom. There are usually monthly board of education meetings in communities. Teachers can ask representatives of the board and fellow tax payers to consider funding technology in classrooms.

Classroom space is another factor which affects the integration of technology in the classroom. For instance, if there is a large number of students in a class, there may not be enough computers for each individual to use. Collaboration and cooperation become apparent in this situation. Students will be forced to share computers. This could be a disadvantage because it takes away from the amount of time they get to use working with the computer. Teachers can overcome this dilemma by assigning homework for students to do on their home computers because most students have access to one.

Lastly, school curriculum is another factor which affects integration of technology in school systems. Curriculum is easily defined as what is being taught in schools. Some schools may focus much of the school year on prepartation for standardized testing which is implemented in their curriculum. If time is alloted to these tests, it takes away from other learning, including the use of technology and computers. Other schools may believe in notebook and textbook form of learning rather than digital learning. Teachers can overcome this obstacle if she creates a website of her own to students to base assignments off of. For homework assignments, students can access their teacher's website which for example, may be a blog. Children can comment on her blog. This way they can integrate curriculum into their learning experience outside of the classroom.

Blogs relating to technology in the classroom

http://davidwarlick.com/2cents/
Multimedia and Literacy

The increasing access to multimedia technology leaves many school systems and people questioning the future of basic skills of communication and literacy in students. There are so many tools out there for students to use; computers, video cameras, movies, sound, text. The only thing a school should allow is to grant students free reign experimenting new innovative ways to communicate with people. When I think of technology in the classroom I never necessarily focused on instances such as this. I would always just think power points, you tube, etc. Technology in the classroom is much more than that and this blog talks elaborates on that.





http://www.techlearning.com/blog/2008/10/what_is_one_way_to_have_an_imp.php
Tech Learning Blog
"What is one way to have an impact on the technology in our classrooms and school?"

My views on technology in the classroom have not so much changed, but broadened. When you think of technology in the classroom you think of power points, video clips, research on the internet, etc. However, the blog (tech learning) touches on the concept of email, instant message, and receiving grades online. All those people involved in the learning community, from teachers to students to superintendents to principals to parents, all said they use technology in their lives. In this specific blog, technology acts as a source of communication between individuals. Teachers can email parents if a student has encountered a problem, students can instant message back and forth about homework they may have or questions about a project and students can also view their grades online through sources such as blackboard.



* I have learned that email and instant messaging and forms of communication such as those are not as bad as people think they are. Students can communicate with their peers through devices such as those to further their learning. One major advantage of technology in the classroom is the access to academic files on the computer. I will most likely want to post grades online, homework assignments (in high school we had a program called "Homework Helper"), articles relating to assignments that can help students with their work, etc. I would like to try and integrate power points when I become a teacher because I myself am a very visual learner. If a student is lectured for 45 minutes, they will not retain much of the information they were just thrown. A visual aid, such as a power point, is a useful tool during a lesson.