Taking Technology to the Classroom: Pedagogy-Based Training for Educators

Taking Technology to the Classroom: Pedagogy-Based Training for Educators

Summary:
This article addresses the questions "what type of training is necessary?" and "how much training is sufficient?" in relation to instructional technology. Diaz states four principles for technology training which are all created around the student and their learning! The four principles are emphasize good teaching, not good technology, focus training on application, not construction, make product development a team effort, and bring more training to the teacher, not the teacher to the training. All of his ideas can be used as a strong foundation for administrators and technology specialists to plan and implement in-services to train teachers how to use technology in their classrooms.

At one point Diaz states, "To create technology products (e.g., Web sites and multimedia presentations) these days, faculty must learn multiple new skills within a vast array of hardware, software, and peripherals, and keep these skills current in the face of increasingly rapid technological change."

Value?
I believe this article is very valuable for media and technology students because it addresses key issues that we all need to remember as we plan and reflect on ways to use technology successfully to enhance student learning. The most important thing Diaz mentions is the fact that student learning is the focal point and to "emphasize good teaching, not good technology." He tells us the importance of not solely training teachers to use the technology, but training them on all the skills and concepts that can be taught using the technology. This article is a quick read, but full of very beneficial ideas relating to integrating technology and professional development for teachers.

Diaz, D. (2001). Taking Technology to the Classroom: Pedagogy-Based Training for Educators. The Technology Source Archives. Retrieved August 30, 2010, from http://technologysource.org/article/taking_technology_to_the_classroom/

Reflection

Reflection = Higher Achievement for All!

Blogs can definitely be used as a tool for reflective learning and teaching. I plan to use this blog to show the ways I incorporate technology in my own classroom. With the use of this web tool, I will reflect on how I use technology for instruction, as I learn how others use technology in their lessons. By reflecting, I should be able to learn from my peers and myself in order to become more effective with integrating technology into my classroom. The most important thing I will consider about reflection is ACTION! When I reflect on ways I can improve my instruction and student learning, it is important I put those ideas into action to become a better teacher!


"At the moment you are no longer an observing, reflecting being; you have ceased to be aware of yourself; you exist only in that quiet, steady thrill that is so unlike any excitement that you have ever known."-May Sinclair

Introduction/Definition of Technology Integration

My name is Katrina Shirley and I am an instructional technology student at the University of West Georgia. My goal for this blog is to provide ideas of how to incorporate technology into a lesson to actively engage students, add value to the lesson, and support the standards addressed in the lesson. Hopefully, the articles, posts, and comments throughout this blog will help you learn how technology can work for you as a teacher, not how you have to work for technology!

I believe that effective technology integration is the incorporation of electronic tools to enhance teaching and learning in the classroom. It begins with the school system having the technology available and accessible for use. The teachers should have the skills necessary (through trainings and in-services) to use the technology in their classrooms as a routine, habitual way to support student learning. The main focus is student learning. If the technology is not providing an opportunity to increase student learning and add value to a lesson, then it is useless! The process of using technology integration is one of constant reflection, adaptation, and continuous improvement centered around student learning!

References
Egbert, Joy. (2009). Supporting Learning with Technology. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.