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.
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.
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
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
Great blog David! I do agree that one of the disadvantages of integrating technology into education is the freedom that students have. They are opened to cyber bullying and have access to explicit content. I do like the fact that to address these concerns, schools are requiring students/parents to sign an Acceptable Use Policy(AUP) that outlines appropriate use of school technologies for students and educators (Roblyer 2016. pg. 16-17)
ReplyDeleteI think as future Social Studies teachers there are a lot of great interactive online activities that we can utilize for our students. The virtual fieldstrips and digital storytelling you mentioned are both pretty cool to me and things I didn't really think about. "Digital storytelling is the process of using images and audio to tell the stories of lives, events, or eras." (Roblyer, 2016, pg. 344), this is a great interactive way for students to learn about historical events and people instead of just reading about them in a book. Certainly hearing someone like Dr. Martin Luther King is much more inspiring then just reading about him in a book.
ReplyDeleteA lot of great points here! Digital storytelling has so much potential in most any subject. I love the idea of students "using the camera to capture scenes and artifacts that could be woven together to tell a particular story," (Roblyer, 2016, p.345). Social studies students could reenact scenes from history, English students could act out scenes from books, and science classes could film experiments. The opportunities are endless!
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