Chapter 12 in our text book is titled “Integrating
Technology and Creating Change as Teacher Leaders”. It has a lot of great
information about using technology to become a better teacher and learner. The
first concept that I thought was important is technology integration. Technology Integration is the “way that
teachers connect technology into all aspects of their instructional and
professional work” (Maloy, et al, 2013, p.298). This allows teachers to use new
and creative ways to teach their students. Technology integrated into the
lessons can also make learning for the students more fun and exciting. It also
provides more options for teachers to provide a better education journey for their
students. One good example of integrating technology into a lesson is virtual
field trips that I talked about in the last my last blog on chapter 6. I think
it is a great idea for teachers to use anything they can to make learning
better for their students.
“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
― Mahatma Gandhi
The second concept is educational change. I think this is a
very important thing for teachers to understand and keep up with. The world
around us is constantly changing and keeping up with that change as a teacher
is important. Students need to know what is going on around them and they deserve
the option to get the best education available to them. Sometimes the best
education means that new technologies should be available to them and used. Change
also allows teachers to modify something that isn't working for them or their students
and make it better. Below is a YouTube video from the Council of Educational
Change.
The third concept, BYOT programs, is a great example of
integrating technology and educational change. BYOT (Bring Your Own Technology)
Programs allows students to bring their technologies from home and use them in
the classroom. There is some controversy about this because not all students
have technology to bring in or it might not be as updates as other students
technology. There is also worry that teachers won’t be as up to date on the
technology as the students. I think that these are things we shouldn't worry
about. Students can always share devices in a group and if teachers aren't as
up to date with technology then maybe it can be a learning experience for both
the teacher and the students. I think this is a great program and more schools
should use it.
In conclusion, as the world changes around us it is
important for teachers to keep up with and be aware of changes. Using technology
integration with educational change and BYOT programs can make learning better
for students. It can provide new and exciting learning experiences for students
and teachers might also learn a thing or two along the way.
Resources:
Council for Educational Change. (2014, April 23). Council
for Educational Change. Retrieved April 18, 2015, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4Ec77ekbnY
Kahl, C. (2015, April 18). Banner. Retrieved April 18, 2015,
from https://magic.piktochart.com/output/5620191-untitled-banner
Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon
A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming
Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education,
Inc.