W6A2

Running Head: ADOPTING AND INTEGRATING TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM 0

As at present, our school mainly utilizes non-computer-based technologies within the classroom. This is quite absurd as the society is quickly becoming computer-based and in that regard school work cannot stand to resist the change. It has been established that the dependence on non-based technologies has made learners, as well as, instructors fail to access the much information available within various online platforms. Besides, it limits the learners’ capability to undertake comprehensive research in addition to making them take unnecessarily long to complete various assignment or research tasks such as data analysis as everything has to be done manually (Kopp, 2015).

In that perspective, it has turned out as quite necessary to embrace and integrating technology into both teaching, as well as, learning within schools. Most teachers are easy to embrace the use of technology because it is the only way they can shift from lecture together with recitation to coaching. It has been established that the use of computer technology within the classroom facilitates to the shifting from the whole-class instruction to the individualized instruction. Therefore, it can be said that there is a shift to the highly beneficial constructivist approach from the conventional didactic approaches (Hamilton & International Society for Technology in Education, 2015). It is also the dream of every teacher to improve student engagement in the classroom. It has been established that the aforementioned dream can only be turned into reality by making use of computers as the instructional tool. Besides, there is the great desire to shift from assessments, which are based on test performance to ones that are based on products, progress, as well as, an effort, and this can only be achieved by embracing technology within the classroom.

Nonetheless there are various barriers which block teachers from utilizing technology. One of the barriers is the costs associated with the acquiring of the necessary equipments such as the computers and projectors. Some of the schools operate at low budgets such that it is almost impossible to purchase such equipments (Kopp, 2015). However, such a barrier can successfully be overcome by sourcing for funds from various parties such as the governmental and non-governmental bodies. In other cases, the teachers lack the know-how of using the said equipment. In such cases, it is always important to organize training sessions for them, even if it means sending them for refresher courses.

The technological tools that can be integrated within the classroom are computers, projectors and inter connection. The computers and the projectors can be used for the purposes of making PowerPoint presentations. On the other hand, the internet connection will facilitate the accessing of various information sources from the diverse online platforms. The various benefits afforded to the students upon the integration of technology within the classroom include differentiated instruction as learners have the liberty to progress within their own pace (Gunter & Gunter, 2014). In addition technology is associated with various learning modalities hence the students have not only exposure but also access to diverse ways of learning. Moreover, technology enables the learners to acquire just-in-time information as it allows learners to gain access to whatever information they need whenever they need it. Most of all, technology enhances learning as learners get feedback from their tutors within a short time-span.

The three issues which have the potential of affecting student participation after the integration of technology in the classroom are such as the unavailability of sufficient tools, for instance a large number of students may have to share one computer thereby making some lose hands-on experience on the technological tools (Gunter & Gunter, 2014). Moreover, some of the students may not be able to access technology outside the classroom hence cannot be able to use it to work out take-way assignments. Besides, they risk of been accused of academic malpractices such as plagiarism thus most of them. Either way the first issue can be addressed by securing sufficient funds such that sufficient equipment are acquired prior to rolling out the program. Concerning the second issue, it can be resolved by encouraging the parents or guardians to purchase private personal tools for their school-going children. Lastly, in regard to academic malpractices such as plagiarism, the teachers should always coach the learners on how to avoid such errors.

References

Gunter, R. E., & Gunter, G. A. (2014). Teachers discovering computers. Australia : Delmar.

Kopp, K. (2015). Integrating technology into the curriculum. Huntington Beach, CA : Shell Education.

Hamilton, B., & International Society for Technology in Education,. (2015). Integrating technology in the classroom: Tools to meet the needs of every student. Eugene, Oregon : International Society for Technology in Education