Why+use+Technology

Technology has many advantages especially in the field of education. It is extremely important for teachers to utilize technology in the classroom. Students in today’s society have technology all around them. They will use technology all throughout their lives, therefore it becomes the teacher’s job to introduce them to technology. Science is one field that technology needs to be utilized. There are many forms of technology and teachers tend to avoid them. Technology has rapidly increased and we teachers did not have this when we went to school so it is all new to us. National Center for Education Statistics found, only 20% of the current public school teachers feel comfortable using technology in their teaching. (Niess, 2005) If teachers do not feel comfortable using the technology they will not use it. It is human nature to avoid things one is not good at. If you cannot swim you don’t go in the deep end. Effective professional development provides teachers with opportunities for active learning. Active learning can take a number of forms, including the opportunity to observe expert teachers in action. (Hew & Brush, 2007) Teach the teachers how to use technology and it will make a school more effective and more relaxed. But why is it so important to use technology? One reason is it cuts down on the amount of work a teacher has to do. It really does make a teachers life easier. Using technology eliminates making copies and worksheets, often can give immediate feedback, and most importantly keeps students engaged. We all know an engaged student is learning more than a student that is bored and often tends to become a distraction. From the learners perspective instruction should be meaningful and relevant and provide appropriate learning challenges. (Lowerison, Sclater, Schmid &Abrami, 2006) Students want to learn and they want it to mean something. Make learning meaningful and the students will be successful in their futures. Science is an area where technology needs to be used. Science is a daily activity. Every day on the news or the internet we hear of something to do with science. A text book does not have current information nor will it ever, because we are always making new scientific discoveries. Therefore we need to utilize what we have in order to better prepare our students. There are so many types of resources teachers will be able to use. Here are a few examples for a science class 50 ways to use technology. (2008, December 19). Retrieved from http://www.classroomtech.org/integration/50ways.htm Hew, K., & Brush, T. (2007). Integrating technology into K-12 teaching and learning: current knowledge gaps and recommendations for future research. //Educational Technology Research and Development//, //55//(3), 223–252. doi:10.1007/s11423-006-9022-5 Lowerison, G., Sclater, J., Schmid, R. F., & Abrami, P. C. (2006). Student perceived effectiveness of computer technology use in post-secondary classrooms. //Computers & Education//, //47//(4), 465–489. doi:10.1016/j.compedu.2004.10.014 Niess, M. L. (2005). Preparing teachers to teach science and mathematics with technology: Developing a technology pedagogical content knowledge. //Teaching and Teacher Education//, //21//(5), 509–523. doi:10.1016/j.tate.2005.03.006
 * Word Processing- Students can publish and reflect on news articles.
 * Spreadsheets and Databases- Students can monitor data that is collected from lab experiments
 * Internet- Allows for students to access information quickly and easily
 * Email- Easy method of communication with students and parents.
 * Presentation Software- Allows students to work in groups and create projects
 * Digital Camera – Capture the moments in a class and use that to create a memory book of their science experiments.
 * Digital Video- Allows students to view their work example science lab and reflect on their experience.
 * Web Page- Display student work and blog.
 * Video Conferencing- Take virtual field trips to any major science museum or skype with professionals.