Development of technology brought tons of convenience for everyone's daily life. It is obvious that new technology make our lives simple and handiness. By using technology, students can be provided exceptional experiences in the classroom. For example, teachers can show and explain anything that students want to learn through the internet at any time if they have computers in the classroom. Teachers don't need to repeatedly write and erase summaries of their lecture notes if they have a projector and a computer. Students don't have to worry about their bad handwriting for term papers if they have computers. All these are examples of how technology brings convenience to the classroom.
The way of teaching also has been changing as technology is developing. Today, we are living in a world of information overload with the higher expectation of skills in demand. Students may learn faster and easier than before by using technology and information. Also technology actually helps teachers and their work. However, some people have concerns of the harmful effects of over-using technology. For example, Oppenhimer (2003) in his book titled
The Flickering Mind: The False Promise of Technology in the Classroom concluded that placing computers in the classroom has been almost "entirely wasteful." Other critics have written and spoken extensively of their beliefs that schools should not use technology for a variety of reasons ranging from creating social isolation to preventing students from learning critical basic skills.
It is important for teachers to consider how computers and other technology can enhance the learning experiences of students and increase their productivity. Technology should not drive educational decisions or learning. Rather, decision making should be based on the learning and teaching needs of the student.
National Educational Technology organizations created standards for teachers. I think these standards are the most important elements to enhance the teaching and learning environment with educational technologies.
- Teachers understand and support the importance of students learning to use educational technology as an important component of their preparation for further education, work, and life in general.
- Teachers demonstrate their support of technology use by developing their own skills, knowledge, and strategies necessary to model effective uses of technology.
- Teachers learn and use effective ways to integrate technology into their curriculum and use technology in ways that enhance instructional opportunities and successes for all students.
- Teachers learn uses of technology that provide assessment feedback to parents, students, and the teacher about how well the student is learning, and then use that data to improve learning productivity.
- Teachers understand and instill into their students the social ethical, legal and human issues surrounding the uses of technology
And students standards have been developed by the International Society for Technology(ISTE).
- Students understand the ethical, cultural, and societal issues related to technology.
- Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.
- Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.
- Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.
- Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and produce other creative works.
Using technology requires learning and efforts. As Dewey said, The belief that all genuine education comes about through experience does not mean that all experiences are genuinely or equally educative. Te be a genuine educator, technology should not be wholly relied upon and at the same time should not be ignored. In a technology driven world and society it is important to utilize modern technology to the fullest without being too dependent on it to carry out the full functions of an educator in an educational setting.
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