eTIPS Response

"Technology use provides added value to teaching and learning" -Dexter

eTIPS-Educational Technology Integration and Implementation Principles by Sara Dexter provided good insight into the world of educational technology. Throughout the entire piece, she kept reminding the reader that when used appropriately, technology and media could enhance the classroom experience. I think it's essential for teachers to always keep in mind the type of learners they have in their class. Using media in the lessons could help the teachers get the attention of those students who are visual and auditory learners. It would allow the students to reach and access another level of understanding. As valuable as technology is, I believe it should be used to support a lesson and accompany other forms of teaching. For example, my class recently got a SmartBoard. It's an excellent resource that could be used for tons of different lessons. So far, we have used the SmartBoard once or twice to pull up a picture to display to the entire class. Without the advanced piece of technology, we would have had to print out the picture and make 17 copies. With the use of SmartBoard, we eliminated the photocopying and paper waste (think green!) and all the children were able to remain on the small rug and look at one big picture. Each and every day, I think of new ways technology could be used in our classroom. Just the other day, one of the teachers in 3rd grade told me she was teaching a lesson on Martin Luther King and within a few short minutes, had his "I Had a Dream Speech" video playing for the entire class. She compared it to past years, where her class read the speech outloud from a sheet of paper, and couldn't believe how much more interested and excited this class was. The future generation will have technology at their fingertips at such a young age, and it can only have positive results.

Dexter also discussed the importance of having the proper support in schools if new technology is present. I completely agree with her. Along with the newer faculty, there are many teachers at schools who have been there for 20+ years. They all need to have a technology support team present to instruct them on how to use the equipment and what to do if something breaks down. When people become frustrated with technology, they tend to back away and give up on it. The appropriate people need to be present in the school and have the background to educate the educators.