Advantages & Disadvantages of Intergrating Technology

Advantages of Integrating Technology:

The integration of technology in the classroom can set in motion another level of learning. With technology, teachers no longer have to just lecture students. With technology integrated into the classroom students are more engaged which helps facilitate the learning process. Student are able to access more information through technology rather than traditional methods.  For example, virtual field trips allow students to explore things they've never seen before. "Virtual field trips are “visits” students make with online sites to see places they could not easily go to in real life or that can help them get more out of the trips they are able to take” (Roblyer, 2015, p. 343). “Digital Storytelling is the process of using images and audio to tell the stories of lives, events, or eras” (Roblyer, 2015, p. 343).  These types of activities using technology allows students to become engaged in learning as well as collaborate with classmates. The use of technology in classroom opens the door to a better more efficient style of learning for students today.

Advantages of using technology in the classroom

Disadvantages of Integrating Technology:

The disadvantages of technology is the financial burden that comes with integrating the classroom.  

The safety aspect of having free use of devices in the classroom are very important as well. “As students spend more time in online environments, attempts by online predators to contact students are more likely, and objectionable material readily available and easy to access, sometimes referred to as cyberporn.” (Roblyer, 2015. P. 16). Another big issue is academic dishonesty. “Greater online access to full-text documents on the internet has resulted in increased incidents of student plagiarism” (Roblyer, 2015. P. 16). Another dis advantage is, cost related to maintenance and licensing fees (Catapano, 2015). This would have to be monitored however there are different apps in place to combat that issue.

Disadvantage of using technology in the classroom

Specific Activities, Programs, Etc.

In chapter 12 Roblyer talks about two activities that can be integrated into a classroom. The first is virtual fieldtrips. Virtual field trips such as an interactive tour of the White House. This will also allow students to visit “foreign locations online, this gives students a richer, more comprehensive perspective of the world around them” (Roblyer, 2015. P. 343). Digital Storytelling is another great activity This will allow students to make their own historical documentaries as a final project. This use of technologies in the classroom are endless and can be fun. Activities such as these will keep students engaged, and create a fun environment for student to learn in.

Resources:
Roblyer, M.D. (2016). Integrating educational technology into teaching (7th ed). Boston, MA; Pearson

Catapano, J. (2015). Advantages and Disadvantages of the iPad Classroom:

http://www.teachhub.com/advantagesdisadvantages-ipad-classroom

Technology Tools for 21st Century Teaching Beyond the Basics

Technology Tools for 21st Century Teaching

Material Generator

        “Material generators, help teachers and students produce instructional material on paper and online” (Roblyer, M.D. 2016, p. 141). These programs allows teachers access to a fast easier way to produce classroom material for students. These programs also allow teachers the versatility to produce paper copies as well as digital copies of class material. There are several programs that can be used to help create material such as: PDF Form Maker software and Social Studies Puzzle Maker

Data Collection Analysis tools

         “Data collection and analysis tools make it easier to collect and process data to provide feedback and support decision making”  (Roblyer, M.D. 2016, p. 142). Examples of this software include programs such as Survey Monkey and  Google sheets. This software would be essential for teachers to make data collecting faster and easier.

Testing and grading tools

            Gradebooks, rubric generators, tests, and computer-based testing systems are all examples of testing and grading tools. “Testing and grading tools allow collection and tracking of assessment information to measure students process” (Roblyer, M.D. 2016, p. 142).. Examples of testing and grading tools would be programs such as google classroom and sycamore students. These programs allow teachers a way to have a digital gradebook and rubrics for grading.  This technology allows the grades to be instantaneous. This allows students and parents to log in and have access to grades as they're uploaded.   

Graphic Tools

           Draw/paint programs, image editing software, charting and graphing tools, media collections, and word cloud generators are all examples of graphic tools. . “Graphic tools allow for the manipulation of images to illustrate documents and web pages” (Roblyer, M.D. 2016, p. 141). Two examples of this software are imaging editing. Another example is charting and graphing tools. This add-on allows the teacher to effectively illustrate material in chart form.

Planning and organizing tools

           Outlining and concept-mapping software, lesson planning software, calendars, as well as time-management tools are examples of planning and organization tools. “This helps the teacher and student conceptualize, organize, and communicate their ideas” (Roblyer, M. D. 2016, p. 141). This software helps teachers as well as students to manage time and organize scheduled events. Programs such as  Google Calendars and Google Lesson Planners to aide in time-management.  

Research and reference tools

           Research and reference tools will aid students in research as well as writing a paper. “Research and reference tools help students research on assigned topics; assist with using correct spelling and word use” (Roblyer, M.D. 2016, p. 141). Examples of research and and reference tools that can be used by students consist of an online thesaurus and mapping tools

 

Content area tool

           Content area tools can be used in a variety of different subjects. These tools are universal which can be used by several different types of teachers in conjunction with several different teaching styles.. “Content-area tools support task specific to content areas such as technology education, music, science, math, social studies, and foreign languages” (Roblyer, M.D. 2016, p. 142). Examples of these programs would consist of reading tools and CAD systems.  

Roblyer, M.D. (2016). Integrating educational technology into teaching (7th ed). Boston, MA; Pearson

Don't be fooled with bad websites

Search Engines:

        Search engines can be so useful to find and access information. Search engines are used by millions of people on a daily basis. "Two commonly cited types of search engines are: major search engines and metacrawlers- these programs use more than one search engine at the same time to locate things" (Roblyer, 2016, p. 183). Teaching students to use search engines is important, using the correct search engine will save the student time. This will allow the student to find more credible information that will help on his/her project. Search engines allow for keyword searches that allow the engine to search millions of documents simultaneously. "Just type in the search word or phrase, and the search engine displays a list of websites whose URLs contain the word or phrase" (Roblyer, 2016, p. 183).

Website Evaluation Video:

"The Internet's vast information storehouse, unfortunately, contains some information that is incomplete, inaccurate, and/or out of date" (Roblyer, 2016, p. 199). I think this video is a very easy way to explain website evaluation to students. Although the acronyms are different I think this video is a simple way to explain website evaluation. Videos in a cartoon form allow students to be more comfortable and learn the material. This video after changing the Acronyms from C.R.A.A.P. to R.E.A.L. would be very effective, it gets the message across in a way that students will relate to and understand. I would definitely use a video of this nature before a project assignment to ensure "Users evaluate a Web page by the usefulness and reliability and the quality of its design" (Roblyer, 2016, p. 199).

Website # 1:

http://millercenter.org/

For my first website I chose the Miller Center, The Miller Center is a website that I evaluated with the criteria in our text authorship, content, organization and navigation, visual design, media. The author or contributor to the website is the University of Virginia, it is also a .gov website as well. The content of the site is mainly about the past and current Presidents of the United States. The organization and navigation is very easy to use. The visual design is great for the student to know what the content is about. The media involved with this site consist of this like speeches that a president gave.

Website # 2:

https://www.loc.gov/

    For my second website is the Library of Congress, the Library of Congress is a website that also fits the criteria from our text. When looking at the author I have found that the publisher is the Library of Congress, this is a credible source to do research from. This websites content, organization and navigation, visual design, and media content are all very well placed and chosen to ensure the site runs smoothly and accurately.  This website is a good site to pull historical content from equipped with teacher resources and lesson plans.

Online Safety and Security:

      This topic is very important when dealing with our students, the amount of pornographic material that is accessible is astonishing. To combat that issue school districts will need the use of firewalls which “protects a computer from attempts by others to unauthorized gain access to it, and also prevents access to certain sites (Roblyer, 2016, p. 174).

Resources:

Roblyer M.D. (2016). Integrating technology into teaching (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

The Basic Three

Word Processing Software:

            The use of word processing software definitely has its issues, however I feel it has some great advantages. The use of word processing software in the classroom in some instances could be great for learning. Although it has a controversial side, “it offers many general relative advantages (unique benefits over and above other methods) to teachers and students” (Roblyer, 2016). These relative benefits are that it saves time, enhances the document appearance, allows the sharing and collaboration of documents, and supports writing and language learning. Word processing allows the students and teachers a more efficient way to create documents that is needed in the classroom. “Educators seem to agree that although word processing is a valuable application, its use in education can be controversial” (Roblyer, 2016). Several issues noted due to the use of word processing software. Questions about what age to allow students to use the software, along with the teaching of keyboard skills, effects on hand writing, impact on assessment, and problems with inadvertent errors. Both traditional handwriting as well as software programs can be used in the classroom.The student is also allowed to collaborate with other students to ensure that the work is done correctly.

 

Spreadsheet Software:

            Like word processing software the impact of spreadsheet software in the classroom is a great. “Teachers use them primarily to keep budgets and gradebooks and to help teach mathematical topics” (Roblyer, 2016). This software is great tool, however I personally would not utilize this software in my classroom very much. As a history teacher I do not see the need other than for the use of a gradebook. Roblyer states that it has several uses such as saves time, organizes, supports “what if” questions, increases the motivation to work with mathematics. The problem with this software is not whether the software is complicated it is that mathematics tends to scare people. This would deter the student from even learning the uses of the software. ”They are not afraid to process words, but numbers is quite another matter” (Roblyer, 2016).

 

Presentation Software:

            Presentation software is a great tool to use the classroom. “Presentation software is designed to display information, including text, images, audio, and video in a slideshow format” (Roblyer, 2016). Software such as PowerPoint will help students that are visual learners better understand the material. This software use in the classroom enhances the spoken word, helps in the organizing of the topic, as well as allows collaboration on presentations. The issues with using presentation software are some educators feel that students would focus on the slides rather than the message itself.

 

Classroom Use Chosen Software: Presentation

          I chose presentation software due the use of video and audio to keep students drawn into the material. Being a history teacher is a nothing more than telling stories. Stories that has already occurred in our nation’s history. The better you tell the story the more the student will grasp the material that is being taught. The use of this tool only enhances the message you are trying to get across. I am very interested in the battle of New Orleans. What better effective way to tell the story than a short documentary on the battle itself.

 

First Post

I want to teach to try and make a difference in the lives of young people. My subject area is history, I have a passion for history. My beliefs in teaching are that we as educators should give the very best we can from day to day. We as educators should remember that knowledge is power. Power means that every child will succeed in life.