Technology and The Technology and The Teaching ModelTeaching Model

Written By Jason MathisWritten By Jason Mathishttp://http://www.angelfire.com/planet/jmathiswww.angelfire.com/planet/jmathis

IntroductionIntroduction

Computer and networking Computer and networking technologies are an integral part of technologies are an integral part of today’s society. today’s society.

Schools should prepare students for Schools should prepare students for life in our society. Since the use of life in our society. Since the use of technology is a fact of life, the technology is a fact of life, the classroom should reflect this.classroom should reflect this.

IntroductionIntroduction

Technology is changing the ways Technology is changing the ways in which students learn. in which students learn.

Teachers must consider incorporating Teachers must consider incorporating technology within the teaching model. technology within the teaching model.

I have researched some helpful I have researched some helpful websites that suggest plans and websites that suggest plans and methods of incorporating technology methods of incorporating technology in our teaching models. in our teaching models.

Research FindingsResearch Findings

The internet provides many The internet provides many resources for using technology in resources for using technology in the teaching model. the teaching model.

Please see the attached reference Please see the attached reference page for additional sites. page for additional sites.

Mark Leung InterviewMark Leung InterviewMany of the technologies entering todays Many of the technologies entering todays classroom are already utilized in the classroom are already utilized in the business world. business world. Interview with Mark Leung, a teacher who Interview with Mark Leung, a teacher who had previous experience in the business had previous experience in the business world. world. http://http://www.techlearning.com/showArticle.jhtml?awww.techlearning.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleIDrticleID=21700211=21700211 . Business technology . Business technology expertise applied to classroom needs. The expertise applied to classroom needs. The following is an excerpt from the website:following is an excerpt from the website:

Mark Leung InterviewMark Leung Interview

Q.Q. Tell us a bit about your career so Tell us a bit about your career so far.far.

A.A. I worked for five years as a I worked for five years as a management consultant for Price management consultant for Price Waterhouse. I joined the staff of Waterhouse. I joined the staff of Lumberton Township Public Schools, Lumberton Township Public Schools, teaching middle school math and teaching middle school math and computer skills. computer skills.

Mark Leung InterviewMark Leung InterviewQ.Q. What specific technology tools help you What specific technology tools help you achieve your goals?achieve your goals?Netilla appliance, which allows our staff Netilla appliance, which allows our staff members to access all network members to access all network applications, folders, and files from a applications, folders, and files from a remote location. The flexible access has remote location. The flexible access has increased productivity and staff morale.increased productivity and staff morale.Using terminal services has helped us do Using terminal services has helped us do this by recycling old hardware, and this by recycling old hardware, and breathing life into the client workstations.breathing life into the client workstations.

Mark Leung InterviewMark Leung InterviewQ.Q. How do you model technology use for teachers How do you model technology use for teachers and staff?and staff?A.A. We practice what we preach. School We practice what we preach. School administrators use laptops and Pocket PCs to administrators use laptops and Pocket PCs to schedule meetings, document staff observations, schedule meetings, document staff observations, and access e-mail. In addition, we have and access e-mail. In addition, we have implemented paperless and wireless board of implemented paperless and wireless board of education meetings. All meeting agendas are education meetings. All meeting agendas are created from electronic sources and converted to created from electronic sources and converted to PDFs that are stored on the network for the board PDFs that are stored on the network for the board members to pull up, wirelessly, on their laptops.members to pull up, wirelessly, on their laptops.

Mark Leung InterviewMark Leung InterviewQ.Q. What is your long-term technology What is your long-term technology vision?vision?A.A. We are hoping to implement a We are hoping to implement a distance learning system to enhance distance learning system to enhance our professional development our professional development program. We are also looking to program. We are also looking to adopt software that will give our adopt software that will give our parents easier access to their parents easier access to their children's academic progress via a children's academic progress via a password-protected Web site. password-protected Web site.

Sample Teaching ModelSample Teaching Model

  There are many websites that offer There are many websites that offer various teaching models using various teaching models using technology as its base. The following technology as its base. The following identifies four major components and identifies four major components and contains a flow chart explaining the contains a flow chart explaining the relationship between them. This relationship between them. This informatio0n can be found at informatio0n can be found at http://http://www.crlt.umich.edu/inst/model.htmlwww.crlt.umich.edu/inst/model.html . .

Sample Teaching ModelSample Teaching Model From a systems approach, teaching with From a systems approach, teaching with

technology involves four major components: technology involves four major components: the students, the instructor, course content, the students, the instructor, course content, and technology tools. and technology tools.

We need to think carefully about our students, We need to think carefully about our students, their exposure and access to technology as well their exposure and access to technology as well as their preferred learning styles. as their preferred learning styles.

Finally, we can turn to the technology itself and Finally, we can turn to the technology itself and analyze it according to its functions. This analyze it according to its functions. This approach to teaching and learning with approach to teaching and learning with technology assumes that the four component technology assumes that the four component parts are integrated and that changes in one parts are integrated and that changes in one part will require adjustments to the other three part will require adjustments to the other three in order to achieve the same goals. in order to achieve the same goals.

A Model for Teaching with A Model for Teaching with TechnologyTechnology

Five Stage ModelFive Stage Model

Internet and home based classes Internet and home based classes have become very common in have become very common in college and university settings. college and university settings.

While in K-12 situations this is not While in K-12 situations this is not usually an option, using the usually an option, using the technologies for homework and technologies for homework and group work could be very beneficial. group work could be very beneficial.

Five Stage ModelFive Stage Model

One of the best examples is found at One of the best examples is found at http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/InfoKits/http://www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/InfoKits/effective-use-of-VLEs/intro-to-VLEs/ineffective-use-of-VLEs/intro-to-VLEs/introtovle-approaches/introtovle-modeltrotovle-approaches/introtovle-modelss . .

The site outlines the teaching The site outlines the teaching philosophy of Gilly Salmon. philosophy of Gilly Salmon.

Stage One:Access and Stage One:Access and Motivation Motivation

For this first stage, it is critical that the For this first stage, it is critical that the tutor ensures that the learner can easily tutor ensures that the learner can easily and quickly access the online conference, and quickly access the online conference, often in a VLE. often in a VLE.

Simultaneously the tutor needs to ensure Simultaneously the tutor needs to ensure that the learners understand the need to that the learners understand the need to put time and effort into the online activity. put time and effort into the online activity.

All the learners will need to know why All the learners will need to know why they are accessing the online conference they are accessing the online conference and what they can receive from it. and what they can receive from it.

Stage Two: Online Stage Two: Online Socialisation Socialisation

During this stage, learners need to become During this stage, learners need to become comfortable in the online environment and to comfortable in the online environment and to socialise with each other. socialise with each other.

There are a number of barriers which may There are a number of barriers which may inhibit this:inhibit this:

the embarrassment of making a mistake in the embarrassment of making a mistake in front of other participants;front of other participants;

the text-based nature of CMC can be daunting;the text-based nature of CMC can be daunting; it is a new and strange environment for many;it is a new and strange environment for many; lack of non-verbal and visual cues.lack of non-verbal and visual cues.

Stage 3: Information Stage 3: Information Exchange Exchange

Usually this stage of the conference Usually this stage of the conference is characterised by the fast and is characterised by the fast and furious exchange of messages. furious exchange of messages.

The learner will interact with the The learner will interact with the resources in the VLE such as resources in the VLE such as weblinks, databases, case studies weblinks, databases, case studies and fellow learners. and fellow learners.

It is critical that the tutor does not It is critical that the tutor does not respond to all messages at this stage respond to all messages at this stage but summarises and focuses the but summarises and focuses the online discussions. online discussions.

Stage 4: Knowledge Stage 4: Knowledge Construction Construction

The main focus is building an online The main focus is building an online community focusing on learning, at community focusing on learning, at this juncture. this juncture.

The tutor will be relating messages The tutor will be relating messages back to concepts and theories and back to concepts and theories and encouraging other learners to encouraging other learners to respond. respond.

At this stage, the tutor may also be At this stage, the tutor may also be sharing the leadership with learners. sharing the leadership with learners.

Stage 5: Development Stage 5: Development

It is at this stage where we clearly It is at this stage where we clearly see Salmon's link to constructivism. see Salmon's link to constructivism.

The online learners are taking The online learners are taking responsibility for their own learning responsibility for their own learning and becoming more confident and and becoming more confident and critical thinkers. critical thinkers.

Teaching with Technology is a website Teaching with Technology is a website dedicated to implementing technology in the dedicated to implementing technology in the teaching model.teaching model.

. The strategies are presented as Active . The strategies are presented as Active Learning, Constructive Learning, Authentic Learning, Constructive Learning, Authentic Learning, Cooperative Learning, and Learning, Cooperative Learning, and Intentional/Reflective Learning. Intentional/Reflective Learning.

This information can be found at This information can be found at http://knowledgeloom.org/media/bpinter/1163/elhttp://knowledgeloom.org/media/bpinter/1163/elements.htmlements.html . .

Elements Present inElements Present in Good Good Models of Teaching with Models of Teaching with Technology (GMOTT)Technology (GMOTT) ESSENTIAL: ESSENTIAL: The following elements are The following elements are

always present in good models of teaching always present in good models of teaching with technology.with technology.

   Standards: Model must be aligned with Standards: Model must be aligned with

local, state, and national local, state, and national standards STRATEGIES: Any number of standards STRATEGIES: Any number of the following strategies may be utilized in the following strategies may be utilized in good models of teaching with technology.good models of teaching with technology.

Active LearningActive LearningCurricular activities rely on virtual Curricular activities rely on virtual and/or real manipulative materialsand/or real manipulative materials

Indicators:Indicators: - learners interacting with an environment- learners interacting with an environment - manipulating the objects in that - manipulating the objects in that

environmentenvironment - observing the effects of their - observing the effects of their

interventionsinterventions - constructing their own interpretations- constructing their own interpretations - exploration - exploration

Constructive LearningConstructive LearningStudents construct their own Students construct their own understanding building on what they understanding building on what they

already knowalready know Indicators:Indicators: - learners construct models to explain - learners construct models to explain

observationsobservations - multiple solutions to problems accepted- multiple solutions to problems accepted - errors used to clarify and refine - errors used to clarify and refine

knowledge in activityknowledge in activity - builds on prior knowledge - builds on prior knowledge

Authentic LearningAuthentic LearningReal world tasks and primary sources Real world tasks and primary sources connect learners to the world aroundconnect learners to the world around

themthem Indicators:Indicators: - Meaningful, real-world tasks- Meaningful, real-world tasks - Case-based or problem-based - Case-based or problem-based

environmentenvironment - Connections to community, state, world - Connections to community, state, world

outside of schooloutside of school - Personal connection - Personal connection

Cooperative LearningCooperative LearningStudents work in groups with Students work in groups with specific tasks or roles assignedspecific tasks or roles assigned Indicators:Indicators: - Learners working in groups- Learners working in groups - Learners working to complete a common - Learners working to complete a common

tasktask - Requires communication- Requires communication - Individuals have separate roles - Individuals have separate roles

Intentional/Reflective LearningIntentional/Reflective LearningStudents are encouraged to generate Students are encouraged to generate their own questions and explain their their own questions and explain their problem solving strategiesproblem solving strategies

Indicators:Indicators: - Learners articulate the learning goals- Learners articulate the learning goals - Learners explain what they are doing - Learners explain what they are doing

and/or strategies they useand/or strategies they use - Learners explain how they find answers- Learners explain how they find answers - Learners manage and/or monitor their - Learners manage and/or monitor their

own learning own learning

YouthlearnYouthlearn

A very helpful site I found is called A very helpful site I found is called Youthlearn. Youthlearn.

This website promotes learning and This website promotes learning and contains a section that provides helpful contains a section that provides helpful tips for teachers who implement tips for teachers who implement technology in the classroom. technology in the classroom.

The following are tips for teachers. The following are tips for teachers. This information can be found at This information can be found at http://http://www.youthlearn.org/learning/teaching/www.youthlearn.org/learning/teaching/tech.asptech.asp . .

YouthlearnYouthlearn

Always integrate technology into your larger Always integrate technology into your larger learning goals, not the other way around. learning goals, not the other way around.

Teaching how to create a web page or use a Teaching how to create a web page or use a drawing program should be part of a project drawing program should be part of a project on building language or math skills, not an on building language or math skills, not an end in itself. end in itself.

Kids need to understand that technology is Kids need to understand that technology is just another tool for learning and just another tool for learning and communication, just like a book or a pencil communication, just like a book or a pencil

YouthlearnYouthlearn In fact, one of the most important In fact, one of the most important

things you can teach kids is how to things you can teach kids is how to decide when one tool or medium is decide when one tool or medium is better than another. better than another.

Always work up to more advanced Always work up to more advanced technologies from simpler ones. technologies from simpler ones.

YouthlearnYouthlearn Especially when it comes to the Especially when it comes to the

Internet, it's hard to guess the level Internet, it's hard to guess the level of familiarity your kids may already of familiarity your kids may already have with technology. have with technology.

Early in the term, try a mapping Early in the term, try a mapping exercise, discussion, or other activity exercise, discussion, or other activity to assess how much kids already to assess how much kids already know and how technology has know and how technology has affected them. affected them.

YouthlearnYouthlearn When you do find kids who know a little When you do find kids who know a little

more, are a bit more adventurous, or are more, are a bit more adventurous, or are more engaged by a technology, use them. more engaged by a technology, use them.

Peer-to-peer teaching between kids often Peer-to-peer teaching between kids often can be much more powerful than teacher can be much more powerful than teacher instructioninstruction

If your lack of expertise is what's making If your lack of expertise is what's making you nervous, get over it. you nervous, get over it.

When a child asks, "How did you do that?" When a child asks, "How did you do that?" see whether any of the others can answer see whether any of the others can answer before you explain it.before you explain it.

YouthlearnYouthlearn Trust the kids. Model thoroughly, Trust the kids. Model thoroughly,

then trust them. then trust them. You must be consistent in your You must be consistent in your

models at all times. If on the day you models at all times. If on the day you introduce the camera, you're careful introduce the camera, you're careful to wear the strap around your neck, to wear the strap around your neck, but you wave it around with no strap but you wave it around with no strap on most other days, you will just on most other days, you will just torpedo your own message.torpedo your own message.

YouthlearnYouthlearn Don't sweat the small things. Again, we Don't sweat the small things. Again, we

guarantee it: things will go wrong. guarantee it: things will go wrong. Laugh about it, work around it, keep Laugh about it, work around it, keep

moving. It's going to happen to the kids, moving. It's going to happen to the kids, too, so it's important that you model the too, so it's important that you model the proper way to deal with challenges. proper way to deal with challenges.

Make some mistakes on purpose in your Make some mistakes on purpose in your demonstrations occasionally, just so you demonstrations occasionally, just so you can show them that it's not a big deal. can show them that it's not a big deal.

Every time you have a problem, you're Every time you have a problem, you're figuring out something new. It's not a figuring out something new. It's not a negative; it's a positive.negative; it's a positive.

YouthlearnYouthlearn

Never explain things too deeply—Never explain things too deeply—you want to give the kids plenty of you want to give the kids plenty of room to explore. room to explore.

Good critical thinking is more Good critical thinking is more important than technological important than technological excellence.excellence.

YouthlearnYouthlearn

When introducing new technologies, When introducing new technologies, do it in the context of larger projects do it in the context of larger projects that extend over many sessions. that extend over many sessions.

Students will benefit from a Students will benefit from a progressive introduction to how to progressive introduction to how to use the tools, and repetition builds use the tools, and repetition builds support for their understanding. support for their understanding.

YouthlearnYouthlearn Don't try to teach something major in Don't try to teach something major in

class if you are fundamentally unfamiliar class if you are fundamentally unfamiliar with the subject. Experiment first or get with the subject. Experiment first or get some help from a colleague. A complex some help from a colleague. A complex program like Photoshop involves some program like Photoshop involves some unique features that have no analogy in unique features that have no analogy in the real world, so poke around first. You'll the real world, so poke around first. You'll be fine even if you don't know all of its be fine even if you don't know all of its most sophisticated uses.most sophisticated uses.

Samples Of Technology In Samples Of Technology In Classroom UseClassroom Use

The following is an example of The following is an example of students artwork that has been students artwork that has been scanned for use on the computer. scanned for use on the computer. This could be very useful for storing This could be very useful for storing and sharing student work.and sharing student work.

Samples Of Technology In Samples Of Technology In Classroom UseClassroom Use

The following is a sample of text that The following is a sample of text that was scanned using O.C.S. software was scanned using O.C.S. software which can identify words and which can identify words and convert them into Microsoft Word convert them into Microsoft Word documents. documents.

Technology and The Teaching Model — Jason Mathis — Educ 504 A4B

Computer and networking technologies are an integral part of today’s society. It is hard to imagine a world without ATM bank machines, the internet, email, Ipods, DVD players, personal computers, digital photography or cell phones. Schools should prepare students for life in our society. Since the use of technology is a fact of life, the classroom should reflect this.

For this reason, it is becoming increasingly important to utilize technologies within the classroom. Computers, word processors, media technologies, projectors and various software applications are among the many tools teachers can use to motivate, teach and evaluate their students progress. With this change in resources comes a change in the methodology of everyday classroom procedures and tasks.

Technology is changing the ways in which students learn and thus, creates new challenges for teachers. The traditional methods can sometimes be considered outdated. The concept of teaching and instruction is very much the same, but the tools and methods to teach and instruct are changing rapidly with the development of new technologies. Because of this, teachers must consider incorporating technology within the teaching model.

Of course, one of these technologies which have become very common and familiar to most people is the internet. I have researched some helpful websites that suggest plans and methods of incorporating technology in our teaching models. I have also explored how a teacher can go about deciding the best way to decide which technology may be ideal for their classes.

Technology and The Teaching Model 10/17/2006 2

ConclusionConclusion

Using technology in the classroom will Using technology in the classroom will greatly benefit both teachers and greatly benefit both teachers and students. With the vast array of students. With the vast array of programs and utilities that enhance the programs and utilities that enhance the learning experience, students will be learning experience, students will be more involved with the learning process more involved with the learning process and have the capabilities to explore and have the capabilities to explore more on their own. Technology can also more on their own. Technology can also make it easier for teachers to plan and make it easier for teachers to plan and implement lessons with more visual and implement lessons with more visual and involved lessons.involved lessons.

Additional ResourcesAdditional Resources

Link to research paperLink to research paper Link to Internet Address BookLink to Internet Address Book Link to Mr. Mathis’ Wonderful Web WLink to Mr. Mathis’ Wonderful Web W

orldorld Holy Family UniversityHoly Family University