Educational Technology Philosophy

 

               Technology exists – there is no hiding from it.  It has even made its way into our classrooms. Our world is constantly being influenced by technology and I believe it is crucial to use that technology to improve educational strategies.  I believe it is important as an educator to keep learning and continue to modify your approach to find the best ways to relate material to your students. My philosophy on technology in education is a direct result from my personal experience with technology throughout my education. I've often wondered, "to what extent can technology be used in the classroom?". I believe technology should not be used just because it is there. Technology should not replace face-to-face interaction, group discussion or practicing public speaking skills. Technology is a tool that should assist students in research and help to develop presentation skills. As a future educator, I plan to not only learn from the experience of current professionals, but also to keep up on new innovations and incorporate them in my classroom. I am very interested in exploring how new and innovative technologies can enhance student engagement in middle school science.

 

                Today’s generation is immersed in the rapidly changing world of technology.  It is a significant part of their lives and is something they are using at every moment, whether it is texting, instant messaging or Facebooking.  It has become their preferred method of communication and it is engrained in almost everything they do. I feel that technology needs to be "infused" into education the same way that it is infused in the students' lives. Technology should be used seamlessly in the classroom so it does not appear to be a separate element.  By infusing technology in education, we will enable students to collaborate with others students within their class as well as other classes outside their school. Technology in the classroom is not only necessary to engage students, but it is an essential tool for the future. Hardly anything is done on paper anymore. It’s unbelievable that with so much technology available, most of our classrooms are generally the same as they were 50 years ago. There exists a wide-range of technology tools that can help facilitate instructional methods and it’s available at our fingertips if we just put them to use. You can find almost anything on YouTube today to help make your lesson realistic. If one does not keep current with technology, he/she will be lost in the future.

 

                Hands-on interaction is one of the most important lessons a student can learn. The constructivist teaching method is all about the belief that students learn best when they are actively involved in the process of building knowledge. Constructivist teaching inspires students to be independent and creative learners, and technology makes it easier than ever to learn and gather facts about other cultures and other parts of the world. As a result, students will gain a widened view of the world around them through technology. Teachers should understand that using technology to enhance classroom instruction involves more than just learning how to use specific piece of hardware or software. It requires an understanding of pedagogical principles and critical thinking on the part of teachers as they practice technology integration. Technology should be implemented in the classroom only if its role is determined along with pedagogical issues related to a specific lesson. Teachers have the responsibility of facilitating instruction; therefore, the true role of technology in education can only be determined by the teachers who are involved in technology decision- making.

 

                As a future educator, I will continue to increase my knowledge about technology and keep current with new innovations in order to provide the most successful learning environment for my students.  No matter what my content area is, I will integrate technology in my classroom in order to provide my students with a 21st century education.