Technology Intigration

To use technology or not to use technology, that is the question. In a study done by S. Selcen Guzey and Gillian H. Roehrig, focused on how technology was used and under what situations it’s usage is beneficial. They used teachers of several different technology backgrounds and ran a study on which teachers were providing more effective technology usage in the classroom. The study concluded that teachers that have more advance understanding of technology are better able to integrate it into the classroom. That is sort of a no brainer but the study also emphasized that teachers who constantly reevaluate how they are using technology in the classroom are making better use of the technology. As an educator it is our job to constantly look at what we are doing and make sure it aligns with our students needs. 

One thing that always drew me to the subject of science was the hands on nature of the subject. It required hands on learning in order to be able to completely understand the topic. So, technology integration is something that should be used sparingly within a science classroom. With the exception of physics, all the other sciences can be effectively taught with minimal technology use. I don’t want to just teach effectively; I want to teach exceptionally. In order to teach exceptionally in a society of students who revolve around technology I have to include technology.

So the question remains, how do I include technology within my classroom but still challenge students and make them think got themselves? The article mentions well trained teachers being able to fully understand their subject area, technology itself, and teaching practices before they could use technology to the benefit of the students. This is the main idea of the TPACK model of understanding and implementing technology. In the TPACK theory, in order for teachers to be effective at what they do they first need to have a firm grasp on pedagogical, content, and technological knowledge. In science, I aim to use technology to gather information and to process data. There are many tools to use in the classroom that can make life easier for students while still not giving them all of the answers.

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