Chapter 2 Curriculum Planning for Technology-Rich Instruction
Both strategic and operational planning contribute to the cause of effective technology integration in a school’s teaching and learning environment (LeBaron, 2001). Curriculum planning for technology integration is a school wide project that is a six stage process; create shared vision, assess curriculum needs, describe shared goals and outputs, define key inputs, assign responsibilities, and evaluate the results of the plan. Planners must consider the broad range of individual learning styles, with a view to applying technology’s unique capacities to meet the full scope of learner diversity (LeBaron, 2001). LeBaron points out that curriculum implementation is a continuing process, subject to review, reassessment, and evaluation at any time (LeBaron, 2001).
In my school a lot of the upper grades have implemented technology into their curriculum. In my first grade team we are beginning the process for planning the implementation of technology within our curriculum. I have tried to implement as much as I can and the children get really excited when we use technology to learn new things, but it can be difficult and time consuming. Our 1 and 2 multiage teacher has a smartbaard in her classroom and she is always using in it. If my classroom wasn’t so far away I would have my class in there every other day because there are so many things you can do with the smart board, plus it is so interactive.
Chapter 4 Technology and Learning: Getting the Story Out
Basically this chapter is telling us that we need to get our students to generate their own ideas and understanding about the different subjects, rather than memorization like it has been in the past. Technology-based learning environments can help optimize the achievement of these research-based principles for enhancing student motivation in the classroom (Jarvela, 2001). While integrating technology in the curriculum is a great asset for the students, we as teachers need to prove that the technology being used in the classroom will improve test scores as well as the students’ learning progress, so that we can get more and better technology into our schools and classrooms. I work at a Title I school and a lot of the parents want their children to use the computers and learn how to use them in school. I try to use technology as a whole class activity and individually when possible, but when you only have three computers and 18 first graders that need a lot of support, it can be a challenge.
References
Jarvela, S. (2001). Technology and learning: Getting the story out. In Lebaron, J.F. & Collier, C.Technology in its place: Successful technology infusion in schools. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
LeBaron, J.F. (2001). Curriculum planning for technology rich instruction. In Lebaron, J.F. & Collier, C. Technology in its place: Successful technology infusion in schools. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
2 comments:
It is exciting that your team is beginning the process of integrating technology into your classrooms. It is a good idea to begin using technology in the early grades. Like anything that is new it can be difficult and time consuming but with each step forward you get closer to your goal and it gets easier because you become a more comfortable user of technology and begin to experience first hand its benefits.
Having three computers in a classroom can be challenging but being able to use it as a work station with groups of students makes this an easier and more effective tool. You should explore some strategies for your UbD project.
Claudia,
I share your concerns. It is difficult to use technology with the younger students. I am having a hard time integrating it with the kindergarteners. I have a computer center and a listening center. The computer center only has two computers and most of the time I don’t use it, because they require so much supervision when they are using it. I have let them use it for accessing the PBS website and using the internet activities that go with Between the Lions. It is a lot to micro manage and takes a while to do it effectively. I am just starting to get comfortable with independent work/guided reading/centers all going on at the same time.
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