Overview of Integrating Technology into the
Curriculum
According to "Technology in American Schools: Seven Dimensions for Gauging Progress" (Lemke & Coughlin, 1998), while further research studies are needed, emerging trends indicate that under the right conditions technology:
- Accelerates, enriches and deepens basic skills.
- Motivates and engages students in learning.
- Helps relate academics to the practices of today's work force.
- Increases economic viability of tomorrow's workers.
- Strengthens teaching.
- Contributes to change in schools
- Connects schools to the world.
Further, "The Impact of Educational Technology on Student Achievement" (Schacter, 1995) reflects the analysis of more than 700 studies and concludes that students who had access to educational technology showed positive gains in academic achievement. But the document makes clear that to be successful, technology intitiatives have to focus on teaching and learning:
- There is, however, evidence in some of these
studies that learning technology is less effective or
ineffective when the learning objectives are unclear
and the focus of the technology use is diffuse.
"One of the enduring difficulties about technology and educationÖ is that a lot of people think about the technology first and the education later." (Schacter, 1995, p. 11)
Below are resources to help you make sense of integrating technology into your teaching while keeping that focus on learning.
When you are done here, be sure to visit the section devoted to instructional designs that lend themselves to effective uses of technology. There are links to additional materials available in the Teacher Resource section.
- There is, however, evidence in some of these
studies that learning technology is less effective or
ineffective when the learning objectives are unclear
and the focus of the technology use is diffuse.
Places to Start: Resources for Teachers New to Teaching with Technology
Technology & Learning Magazine - a wonderful resource for teachers with lots of practical approaches to integrating technology. Be sure to browse through past issues to find wonderful articles & resources.
http://www.techlearning.com/content/about/tl_current.htmlIntegrating the Internet into the Curriculum
The Internet for Teachers: A WebQuest
Teaching and Learning on the Web: Here you find over 770 examples of how the web is being used as a medium for learning.
Web-based slideshows by Kathy Schrock covering some of the basics of using technology, especially the Internet and researching.
One of the strengths of technology is that it can help bring context to students' learning. "Learning in Context" is Apple Computer's vision of how technology might fill this vital role in learning.
http://www.apple.com/education/LTReview/winter98/context.htmlWhat are the skills for the digital age classroom? Good Teachers = High Academic Achievement
http://www.mff.org/edtech/article.taf?_function=detail&Content_uid1=273Transforming Learning Through Technology - this document outlines a vision for states that is educationally sound and technologically advanced, and aims to lead to a better system of learning.
http://www.mff.org/publications/publications.taf?page=266The Net Generation and the School, by Don Tapscott - Today's youth are different from any generation before them. They are exposed to digital technology in virtually all facets of their day-to-day existence, and it is not difficult to see that this is having a profound impact on their personalities, including their attitudes and approach to learning.
http://www.mff.org/edtech/article.taf?_function=detail&Content_uid1=109Articles by Alan November - Thoughtful articles to get you thinking about effective uses of educational technology.
http://www.anovember.com/articles.htmlTeaching and Learning on the Web - Here you will find over 777 examples of how the web is being used as a medium for learning.
http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/tl/
Exemplary Instructional Uses of Technology
Maine's own SEED Project (Spreading Educator to Educator Developments) helps outstanding educators share their technology-based lessons, units, and activities with other educators.
http://www.mainecenter.org/seed/International Society for Technology in Education's (ISTE) Information Technology Backgrounder (http://www.iste.org/research/background/index.html)
George Lucas Educational Foundation's "Teaching in the Digital Age" (http://www.glef.org/)
Apple Computer's Education Success Stories (http://www.apple.com/education/k12/success/#top)
Apple's Classrooms of Tomorrow (http://www.apple.com/education/k12/leadership/acot/)
Microsoft's Anytime Anywhere Learning Project (http://www.microsoft.com/education/aal/default.asp)
The Milken Exchange on Educational Technology (http://www.mff.org/edtech/)
Alan November's Kid's Make a Difference site - "We need to engage learners to solve challenging, complex problems where the answers are not "in the back of the book." (http://www.anovember.com/kids.html)
The US Department of Education's Office for Educational Technology (http://www.ed.gov/Technology/)
Resources
Lemke, C. & Coughlin, E. C. (1998). Technology in American Schools: Seven Dimensions for Gauging Progress. A Policymaker's Guide. The Milken Exchange on Educational Technology, (Available at http://www.mff.org/publications/publications.taf?page=158).Schacter, J. (1995). The Impact of Educational Technology on Student Achievement. The Milken Exchange on Educational Technology, (Available at http://www.mff.org/publications/publications.taf?page=161).
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Created by Mike Muir
Last updated:
August 20, 2001
The Maine Association for Middle Level Education
is a Partner in this project.
