Blog 1-3: Technology Integration Specialist

April 5, 2014

Technology integration...

Technology integration is no longer an option in schools but a must. Students today are born using technological tools and teachers have a duty to help guide them in the appropriate uses of these tools in personal and professional use. Technology integration is the implementation of technology into education in which the tool use doesn't steer away from the curriculum being taught but instead makes it more appealing and easier to use for the student and the teacher. So to me a technology integration specialist would be someone who helps and supports teachers in their quest to integrate technology into their curriculum and classrooms because that is what learners today require for their future successes. 

Technology integration today....
Today's teachers are recognizing that technology is needed in education to reach their target learners but they can still be hesitant and scared on how to accomplish this. Today's students see technology as a norm and find old methods of teaching not enjoyable. Having students not use technological tools such as smart phones, computers, iPads/ iPods, and laptops is not helping them. It only hurts them because we are not modeling or teaching them how these great tools can be used to further their education and improve their employment skills. We take these tools away because we fear them not and we fear loosing control of our classrooms. As teachers we need to spend more time getting to know the tools our students are using and then find ways to show them how to use them better. The best part is that students are willing to help teachers learn more about themselves and what they accustomed to use in their everyday life. 


Those questions are what we should ask ourselves and points out the true reason why technology integration is needed in schools. Technology integration specialist need to look into what schools are offering their students and if they are fitting the needs of these digital natives so they have a future as collaborators and creators in this ever growing technology age. As teachers we are expected to do more and know more today than compared to the past. I'm not saying we are experts in specific topics but instead we need to be more well rounded in all subjects including technology. I don't think this is asking a lot because we expect the same from our students.

My Past Technology Experience...
I had EDU533 with Professor Tufts in which I learned to use tools such as blogger, create a website, glogster, voki, and my favorite animoto. You can check out what I did from my blog from that class. The class helped me get comfortable with free technological tools out there and how I can use them to improve my curriculum. Before that class I never heard of these tools never mind had used them. Since that class I have become more comfortable searching for more tools available and adding them to my lesson plans for other classes. My last class was EDU685 with Professor Woodrow which went over the importance of using technology to have students connect themselves with the world. To not just have students be consumers but creators and share their creations online.As teachers we can help students be creators by allowing them choices on how they want to share their ideas with technological tools.

Technology Integration Personal Philosophy...
"Teachers more than ever have a vital role to play in helping students realize their futures by providing them with instruction that gives direction and allows them to hone their new cognitive and technological skills. In a nutshell, students need facilitated content to be fully capable citizens, whether its blogging on a social network site or solving a math problem. They may have limitless technology and information at their disposal, but can they access that information efficiently and effectively? Can they evaluate it critically and competently and identify objective facts from propaganda? Do they understand the real ethical, legal, and moral issues concerning access to and use of information? Can they create meaning from data? In essence, do they know the value of information, aside from what is needed to pass a test?"(Preparing Students for Their Technological Future by Willard R. Daggett, Ed.D.).

Those questions are what we should ask ourselves and points out the true reason why technology integration is needed in schools. Technology integration specialist need to look into what schools are offering their students and if they are fitting the needs of these digital natives so they have a future as collaborators and creators in this ever growing technology age. As teachers we are expected to do more and know more today than compared to the past. I'm not saying we are experts in specific topics but instead we need to be more well rounded in all subjects including technology. I don't think this is asking a lot because we expect the same from our students.


Week 1 Podcast Reflection:
What characteristics and qualities does one need to work in the field of educational technology integration?
- Love and passion for technology and integrating it into education.

Whose responsibility is it to make sure teachers are integrating technology into their classrooms?
- It is the teachers responsibility to integrate technology into the classroom; technology integration specialist need to educate teachers and ensure they are using technology correctly in their classroom; the schools need to also push that technology is used in their schools and that funding is available to support this integration.

Who are today’s teachers?
- Today's teachers use technology and need to advocate in implanting its use in the classroom and help model proper technology use to students. 

What if teachers are not willing to integrate technology into their classrooms?
- They should be asked why. Most of the time it's due to a improper education and fear of technology. They must be taught how to get over these fears and supported in using technology.

Is it the tool that drives the project, or is it the standards for the project that drive the tool?
- It's not as important how a student presents their knowledge but that they have obtained it. Technology can help them in assisting in obtaining the knowledge and presenting it in a manner that is comfortable to them.