Technology is an ever present tool in our society and in most of our everyday lives. Technology can definitely enhance learning objectives for teachers and schools by combining media and learning. The opportunities for utilizing media in the classroom is endless, from developing webquests for students use, researching topics using the Internet, writing pen pals emails, using smartboards for integrated math lessons, and so much more.
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has developed specific standards for the nation in regards to adding technology into the classroom and specifically has a breakdown by grade. It is truly amazing what they want to have provided in the classroom for the younger elementary grades. While the expectations might be considered high currently, technology and the programs that are starting to develop allowing more access for public schools will make their standards a reality.
Some of the expectations I felt to be high were having second graders build and develop Powerpoint presentations with graphics and media sources that would help relay research completed in science or history. The reason I believed this standard was high for media and learning currently is that students do not have a lot of exposure to computers, let alone a program like Powerpoint, unless it was introduced and worked on at home. Events taking place at home should surely not be a national standard for inclusion in education.
Technology is definitely being more readily integrated into classrooms with the use of computers and smartboards in the younger elementary aged students. High schools have always had more access to media through learning with video production classes and more advanced computer software available, however, they have always been more apt to take care of these tools and understand how they work. Now, we are seeing some video production classes emerge in middle and elementary school to start to pave the way for students to experience the basics of video production and the technologies that surround it.
Integrating technology may need to start with baby steps for some teachers and schools, however, the learning experiences that are provided to students through media and learning combined will provide life long lessons that will help students achieve the rest of their lives. Beyond application uses in education, all jobs require computer literacy.
As an educator, it is important to integrate the use of technology in the classroom to keep students learning how it is used. Starting at a young age, students need to understand how to take care of tools within technology, before they can grasp how they function to their benefit. With the integration of technology in the classroom, students are exposed to real life application and will be able to apply outside of the school classroom. Technology allows people to reach beyond their abilities, and use their imaginations to make things happen. Students should definitely be exposed to this reach.
