“The number one benefit of information technology is that it empowers people to do what they want to do. It lets people be creative. It lets people be productive. It lets people learn things they didn't think they could learn before, and so in a sense it is all about potential”.
Steve Ballmer
How a teacher can improve the environment in a classroom is an ongoing desire. There are many areas that one can improve but one tool that can be brought to the classroom, which would enhance learning, is technology. Technology is the future of our students and preparing them will enable our students to be successful.Having technology in the classroom allows for another means for students to gain information. The teacher is assessable in the classroom but it doesn’t stop there. Being able to connect to the Internet to gain direct information on an assignment is one way that learning is being extended in classroom and out of the classroom. Having these resources at the flick of the finger and at any moment are the principles of extending learning. “Used to support both teaching and learning, technology infuses classrooms with digital learning tools, such as computers and hand held devices; expands course offerings, experiences, and learning materials; supports learning 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; builds 21st century skills; increases student engagement and motivation; and accelerates learning” (U.S. Dept. of Ed.) Teachers are the guides of what students learn but the utilizing of technology by making use of a classroom website, aPinterest board and video chats are forms of technology that will increase development, enhance one’s learning and excite the student to knowledge.
Specific Technology A class blog is a one that will be used for students and parents to be active in. In this bog parents along with students will have the opportunities to share ideas and participate in extended lesson that originated in the classroom. This is an exciting and engaging time for parent and students to have an insight of how topics are being taught. This blog will also open the door to share good news and communicate with each other. Parents can come together and see where they may be able to aid the teacher in volunteering or organizing class functions. The children are young and with the help of their parents this will benefit the students acquiring the desire to write themselves. The wonderful part about this blog is that parents and teachers can see and read just how much the student/children have developed in a year. “As the school year progresses, it's often great fun to watch a class' page fill up with posts and discussions, and see kids, parents, and educators engage in more frequent and ongoing dialogue” (Steinberg, 2015).
The class will be using Pinterest board where the teacher along with parents will “create a private board to share snapshots of classroom activities, projects, and field trips, or encourage parents to connect and find ways to help show their support for the classroom” (Steinberg, 2015).This will be the happening place for students and parents to be excited about school, friends, classroom and teacher. This will give all a sense of belonging and pride in who they are and what they are learning.This site is not as formal as the blog area but more an area where kindergarten students can play a bigger role.
The other form of technology that is exciting for all concerned is the use Video Chats in the pen pal activity.This form of involvement with other students around the world will open the minds and eyes of our young students in seeing how other students their age live and go to school. With the approval and support of parents, students can the use video conferencing, like Skype, to connect with their pen pals. Students then can share their events, make new friends, and take part in distance learning. It will be the teacher’s responsibility to instruct their students on their behavior while skyping in front of the camera. There will also be ground rules on subject students can speak about and subjects they are not allowed to talk about.
Pros and Cons of using Technology to Facilitate Learning
“Distance education has "brought new life and possibilities...No longer is learning a way from a traditional classroom the exception, but rather it is becoming a learner- centered standard many educational models strive to replicate" (Bitter &Legacy, 2006, p. 131).In order for learning to be a possibility students need to participate and be active. Having technology gets the students motivated but can at times make one lazy because the students’ attitude is to be entertained at all times.With the use of technology students are further absorbed in gaining knowledge of the subject they are studying and in doing so the student will further their understanding. There will be times when this could be a distraction more than a help but with strong and consistent teacher-student, parent-student interactions technology can be useful. There will also be times where the students will have distractions and frustrations which will make learning difficult for students. Students can find themselves losing attentiveness in the sites. This can occur but with parent enthusiasm, be assured technology is the way to educate these young minds. Technology has a tendency to leave an impression on young students in their learning and so integrating technology is a must.
Wired and Wireless Classrooms “As technology advances and as the Internet has become fully integrated into the personal lives of students, this new “wireless generation” demands always-on access. Students need to access instruction in meaningful learning environments, and they need this access from any place, any time, and any path — in the classroom, on the school bus, in the library, in a car, playing soccer and other sports, hanging out with friends, or at home” (Gunter & Gunter 2015 p.338). A wireless Internet service provider (WISP) is a company providing wireless Internet access to, computers with wireless modems or access devices or to Internet abled mobile computers or devices, those who require the service. When this is in operation it enables mobile devices including smartphones, tablet computers, and e-book readers to the Internet. Some companies who provide wireless are AT&T Wireless, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless. In the beginning we were controlled to certain areas to do work. That was because of all the wiring and connections to different devices such as the printer, systems unit, speaker, mouse, key board, modem, and monitor (Microsoft, 2015). Several homes, public library, instructional sites and businesses consumers set up a Wi-Fi network. These wireless waves are received by communications device that is connected to a high-speed Internet service. Many places nowadays offer a variety of wireless Internet connections to all. The same goes when teachers and students are able to benefit from using our smartphone or IPad computer or notebook to access the Internet. All of us are benefiting from wireless communications and it is like having another facilitator in the room. There are many devices that benefit from wireless such as mobile phones, IPad, notebook computers, and other devices that are being affecting like printers and video projectors, which usually required wires to communicate data.
Conclusion
In conclusion it is a must to integrate technology in the classroom and have it extend into the homes of the students. Technology can enhance student learning and improve the classroom environment as well as students attitudes towards education and school. In order for this to be a productive opportunity and for students to achieve a teacher must have supportive parents, there must be a partnership. Even through their busy lives technology can help. The classroom blog, Pinterest board and video chats will be the forms of technology that will develop learning while experiencing enjoyment in learning.
Reference
Bitter, G. & Legacy, L. (2006). Using Technology in the Classroom (brief ed.). Boston: Pearson.