Integrating Technology into the

Curriculum

Information taken from Technology for the School Librarian: Theory and Practice by William O. Scheeren

Samantha Ragasa

Why Use Technology in the Curriculum

Important Reasons:

Technology motivates students.

Using technology helps students learn content while learning about the technology program.

Adds new approaches to teaching instruction.

Helps make teachers more productive in their teaching.

Attributes of Information-Age Schools

Students and teachers are able to communicate using digital means.

Most learning is done through student-centered and self-initiated activities.

The teacher is not an information provider, but rather a guide or facilitator.

The library is the center of learning. The library media specialist is involved in the learning process and works with the teachers.

Evaluation is done continuously with instruction and learning.

Approaches to Integration

Teacher collaboration and team-teaching

More flexibility in scheduling to integrate technology

Teaching information literacy

Computer software should be taught in connection with other subjects, not in isolation

Collaborative learning in groups

Integrating Technology into the Curriculum

Pros:

gives students career preparation

changes instruction from teacher-led to student-led

new ways to assess students’ learning to be more accurate

enhances students’ critical thinking skills

gives students access to more information

information that is retrieved is more up-to-date

motivates the students

Integrating Technology into the Curriculum

Cons:

more costly at the beginning of integration; makes it hard for school systems to keep up the newest and best things

change is rapid

compatibility is hard to keep up with computers all over a school district

lack of training to teachers; teachers may be hesitant to use the new technology

equity

Strategies for Integration of Technology into the Curriculum

Productivity software, such as Microsoft Office

Games and Simulation

Drill and Practice

Tutorials

Discussion (Web 2.0 tools)

Discovery, Problem Solving, and Cooperative Learning

Constructivist Instruction should look something like this:

A problem is posed, either by a teacher or by the students.

The students research the problem. They find out what kind of information is out there, and if there is a solution already.

Students will come up with a hypothesis.

Students will test their hypothesis.

Students present the results to their fellow classmates.

Discipline-Based Ideas for Integration of Technology into the Curriculum

Elementary

Short reports using online library resources and a word-processing program.

PowerPoint Presentations that are animated.

Simple science research and short reports of the findings.

Information literacy and library instruction

Using technology for math drill and practice.

Interactive reading software for primary readers.

Discipline-Based Ideas for Integration of Technology into the Curriculum

Secondary

English – video book reports, student created tutorials, senior projects, e-Books and e-journals

Mathematics – manipulatives, Web sites to help with hard math concepts, graphing calculators, using Excel and other productivity software to chart data

Science – Web sites to explore, scientific probes to perform actual experiments, recreate simulations, use productivity software to complete lab reports

Social Studies – research using electronic collections, distance learning software to interview experts, digitized history sources, prepare history projects

Glossary of Terms

1. microcomputer application – a small, relatively inexpensive computer with a microprocessor as its central processing unit (CPU)

2. electronic resources – sources found on a computer or mobile device that provide students with information they need

3. authentic assessment – students are presented real-life problems and scenarios and are not graded using just pencil and paper tests

4. CAD software – the use of computer systems to assist in the creation, modification, 5. CAM software – the use of computer software to control machine tools and related

machinery 6. constructivist instruction – involves learners in the process of meaning and knowledge

learning; more critical thinking skills are addressed7. DBQ (document based question) – a question that focuses around one or more documents8. drill and practice technology – linear or nonlinear; gives students valuable practice with

basic skills such as reading and mathematics. 9. tutorials – break down difficult concepts for students using step-by-step interactive

demonstrations10. Web 2.0 tools – conceived as a combination of concepts, trends, and technologies that

focus on user collaboration, sharing of user-generated content, and social networking

Responses to Questions

3. Analyze the arguments for and against the use of computer teachers and computer classes instead of the integration of technology into the curriculum.

It is important to integrate the use of technology in the classroom. Students who make projects using productivity software are more prepared for college and the workplace. Students should learn subjects, while using technology. This is an integrated approach. Some studies say that this is the best way for students to learn technology. While this is a good approach, students need a base to start with for technology so they will not spend most of their time learning the technology. In doing a school project, they should spend most of their time learning their skill. This is where computer classes come in handy. They can teach students the basic skills they need to navigate around productivity software and the Internet. Computer classes are important, but integration of computer skills and subject skills are the best ways for learning.

Summary

Technology is a necessity in today’s classroom environment.

Teachers and library media specialists should work together to ensure student-centered learning using technology.

Technology is best learned through integration with other subjects, not just in isolation.

Other Resources

John Burke – Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion: A Basic Guide for the Library Staff

Sandra Doggett – Beyond the Book: Technology Integration into the Secondary School Library Media Curriculum

Judy Lever-Daffy and Jean McDonald –Teaching and Learning with Technology

URL’s to Support

Why Integrate Technology into the Curriculum? http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction

Integrating Technology in the Classroom: It Takes More that Just Computers: http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech146.shtml