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Having a well rounded PLN allows you to access the most recent articles regarding education, and any new developments in technology, or research findings in different areas relating to education as well. It allows you to keep your teaching practices current, by knowing what is currently going on "behind the scenes" in the world of educational research.

This is an article written on this issue, it is about teachers staying up to date with technology in the classroom, and how to do so.

Article:

Integrating technology into K-12 teaching and learning: current knowledge gaps and recommendations for future research

Educational Technology Research and Development, 2007, Volume 55, Number 3, Page 223
Khe Foon Hew, Thomas Brush

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Abstract

Although research studies in education show that use of technology can help student learning, its use is generally affected by certain barriers. In this paper, we first identify the general barriers typically faced by K-12 schools, both in the United States as well as other countries, when integrating technology into the curriculum for instructional purposes, namely: (a) resources, (b) institution, (c) subject culture, (d) attitudes and beliefs, (e) knowledge and skills, and (f) assessment. We then describe the strategies to overcome such barriers: (a) having a shared vision and technology integration plan, (b) overcoming the scarcity of resources, (c) changing attitudes and beliefs, (d) conducting professional development, and (e) reconsidering assessments. Finally, we identify several current knowledge gaps pertaining to the barriers and strategies of technology integration, and offer pertinent recommendations for future research.

Keywords

Technology integration Barriers Strategies K-12 Curriculum Future research

This paper is a revised version of the manuscript selected as the recipient of the AECT 2006 Young Scholar Award. Revisions were based on blind reviews from a panel of Consulting Editors.

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Notes

*These references make up the 48 past empirical studies that we reviewed.

References

1. Ertmer, P. A. (1999). Addressing first- and second-order barriers to change: Strategies for technology integration. Educational Technology Research and Development, 47(4), 47-61.

2. *Grant, M. M., Ross, S. M., Wang, W., & Potter, A. (2005). Computers on wheels: An alternative to 'each one has one'. British Journal of Educational Technology, 36(6), 1017-1034.

© Association for Educational Communications and Technology 2006

Authors and Affiliations

1. Learning Sciences and Technology Academic Group, National Institute of Education Nanyang Technological University

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Integrating technology into K-12 teaching and learning: current knowledge gaps and recommendations for future research

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Although research studies in education show that use of technology can help student learning, its use is generally affected by certain barriers. In this paper, we first identify the general barriers typically faced by K-12 schools, both in the United States as well as other countries, when integrating technology into the curriculum for instructional purposes, namely: (a) resources, (b) institution, (c) subject culture, (d) attitudes and beliefs, (e) knowledge and skills, and (f) assessment.

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Having a network of educational resources can help save time, as there are lesson plans, worksheets, craft ideas and more all at your fingertips. These ideas can be modified and used in your own classroom, helping you create fun effective lessons for your students.

Image from: www.mycutegraphics.com, created by Laura Strickland (Accessed Jan. 19th, 2015)

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A PLN exposes you to ideas that you may or may not agree with, regarding education and more, from people across the globe with very different worldviews and ideologies. This makes you think more critically about the world around you.

Image from: profalbrecht.wordpress.com, some rights reserved (Accessed Jan. 19th, 2015)

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Creating a PLN allows you to access teachers all around the world, making it easier to make connections and find resources for teaching. This can be especially helpful when encountering new situations within the classroom, or being in a school with few resources. Here is a list of various education networks that are already available to anyone, anywhere.