“I would create more lessons the
integrated technology if I had the time.” This is a statement I
often hear from teachers in my professional development sessions. I
think many teachers have the desire to create technology rich
lessons, but with the hustle and bustle of everyday classroom routine
there is little time left for the detailed planning that goes into a
lesson designed around technology use. Let’s face it; time is an
educator’s most precious commodity. If teachers constantly feel
like they are in a race against the clock it might be a struggle for
them to find time to create a lesson that uses technology.
Personally I feel that it is well worth
the time and effort spent to integrate technology. I think a common
misconception that educators have is: “Integrating technology into
my lessons is like reinventing the wheel.” It does not to be that
way. The advice I would give is to think about the lessons you
already have now what can you do to enhance that lesson through
technology. Yes, it is going to be an investment of your time, but it
is not reinventing the wheel. If teachers would take the a little bit
of extra time to integrate technology I think they would be pleased
with the results.
I feel that my response to the question
“So
is using technology in the classroom worth it to you?” is more than
a little bias. As a technology integration specialist it is my goal
to help educators see the value in technology rich lessons. Also,
when I was a classroom teacher technology was my subject area. So
obviously I am biased when I say, “Yes, it is worth the time spent
to use technology in the classroom.” It has been my experience that
students who learn through and with technology have a deeper
understanding of the content. Students today feel a connection with
technology so any time you can use it in a lesson it can help make
that lesson relevant for the student.
The
most important advice I would have for anyone integrating technology
into a lesson is to not become dependant on the technology. Sometimes
good old fashioned instruction is what a student needs. It is also
important to consider the fact that sometimes technology does not
function the way it is intended. My last two statements might sound
like arguments for why someone would not invest time using technology
in the classroom. Technology should not be used to replace
instruction just enhance it, and it's important to have a back up
plan incase the server is down or you run out of battery.
I
think most educator and students would agree they can find value in
technology use in the classroom.
