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https://padlet.com/kyrahalvorse/background-knowledge-niu3syr9y48exi6n

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Integrating technology into the classroom means providing an abundant amount of resources that will benefit and enhance the students learning. 

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Integrating technology into the classroom means providing an abundant amount of resources that will benefit and enhance the students learning. 

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Technology helps with problem solving skills

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What Is Successful Technology Integration?

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Well-integrated use of technology resources by thoroughly trained teachers makes twenty-first-century learning possible. From our Technology Integration Professional Development Guide.

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The Trumann School District is fortunate. We are entering the third year of our 1:1 technology initiative where 1652 students have their own device. Many students are able to take devices home each day. While belts have been tightened and close scrutiny over budgets is commonplace for all schools, we have been able to provide the essential technological tools needed for students to be today's successful learners. Beyond the financial means and vision to provide our students with the learning experience to prepare them for the 21st century, we also have a strong partnership with our local Internet service provider. Acquiring and maintaining devices for students poses a significant obstacle for each district to overcome; yet an equally important obstacle for many schools is gaining access to adequate and affordable bandwidth.

Yet again, Trumann is fortunate. Our community has a local service provider who has truly become a partner in our 1:1 technology initiative. Our service provider has not only provided the necessary infrastructure to deliver more than enough reliable bandwidth to support approximately 1800 student devices and has worked with our school district to maximize the use of our bandwidth while maintaining low service costs. In fact, our service provider is so excited about our 1:1 initiative, they committed to a direct partnership with the school district, parents, and students by providing low-cost, high speed, wireless Internet connectivity to student's homes. As one of sixteen New Tech Schools throughout the state, reliable, affordable connectivity for our students outside the school day is an essential part of the success of our 1:1 initiative and overall learning student learning experience.

While Trumann is fortunate to have a close partnership with our local service provider, many school districts throughout the state do not have this opportunity. The availability of reliable, steady bandwidth varies dramatically across the state. While Trumann is extraordinarily fortunate in this regard many school districts, especially in rural areas of the state, are equally unfortunate. Even if schools have availability in their area, the access is typically limited and the cost to provide adequate bandwidth varies significantly which places an undue and unfair burden on school budgets.

As a New Tech School, the availability of technology and connectivity play an integral role in student learning. Our teachers create and implement real-world projects throughout their subjects, and these projects require students to have access to both the technology and connectivity to work throughout and beyond the school day. Students are gaining the skills necessary to be successful in either college or a career. Without access to stable, affordable Internet, students throughout the state will lose access to the invaluable resources such as e-books, web-based learning tools, and current research the Internet provides, not to mention the potential collaboration for students within the district and across the world.

FASTERArkansas is working to elevate this issue. Every school in the state should be as fortunate as students in Trumann. The need for stable, reliable, low-cost Internet access to students in schools is essential to student learning. Connecting to the Internet is no longer a luxury for students and schools it is a necessary tool for success. Check out FASTERArkansas for information on how you can help students gain access to tools that they will need to succeed.

David Rutledge is the Assistant Superintendent of the Trumann School District, an Apple Distinguished School District, and leads the district's New Tech and 1:1 technology initiatives.
Learn more about Trumann School District.

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Technology is Essential in the Classroom - New Tech Network

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The Trumann School District is fortunate. We are entering the third year of our 1:1 technology initiative where 1652 students have their own device. Many students are able to take devices home each day.

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Provides a more engaged learning enviroment

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Lumen Learning | Open for student success

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10 Benefits & Uses for Technology in the Classroom | Lumen Learning

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Learn more about the benefits of technology in the classroom and how it can be integrated in unique and effective ways.

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Easily help teachers create lesson plans with easy access to information

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Technology is at the center of our lives in most environments, and the classroom is no exception. Student in today's classrooms have grown up in a world surrounded by technology. They do not know what it is like to experience life without cell phones, computers, televisions and other common tech devices.

Despite this familiarity with technology, educational environments may be slow to integrate technology into the classroom. Many schools still use analog tools, such as books, notebooks, whiteboards and posters in instructional design. This could be attributed to lack of funding. However, some school districts have invested in instructional technology for the classroom by securing grant funding or donations from community and business partners. This includes smart boards to replace outdated projectors as well as personal digital devices such as iPads or Chromebooks.

Technology has the potential to make aspects of education easier and more equitable in many ways. Let's find out how teachers and students can benefit from additional technology in the classroom.
In This Article:
Embracing Technology in the Classroom

Are you ready to start using technology as a teaching tool? Increasingly, educators are recognizing the value of technology in K-12 education, according to an Education Week Special Report. ¹

As beneficial as using technology in the classroom can be, it's still important to remember the overall goals: to help students learn, succeed and prepare for life with confidence. With that in mind, teachers and administrators should carefully evaluate each new technology to determine whether it will indeed support intended learning outcomes and enable students to master the lesson plan. Furthermore, educators must collaborate with IT staff to thoroughly vet the privacy and safety standards of any new technology before it's brought into the classroom.

8 Benefits of Technology in the Classroom

Using technology in your teaching can help many students succeed in their learning. Here are eight top benefits of using technology in the classroom:

1. Increased Student Engagement

Students who use technology in the classroom may be more engaged. When schools have a 1:1 initiative (one device for every student), students benefit because technology can be more smoothly integrated into the curriculum. Many teachers use interactive software and programs as learning technologies so that students can respond to questions and lectures digitally. In addition, gamified learning makes education fun and engaging as they earn badges and move through competencies.

2. Collaboration

Technology makes it easier for students to collaborate and save their work. Traditionally, when students collaborated, they may have created posters or notes of their work together. However, technology allows students to create digital collections of research and ideas. They can draw and write together in the same program, creating documents and projects that are fully collaborative.

3. Inclusion

Technology allows some students to be included in the classroom in ways they have never been before. Many students who receive special education can benefit from technology that helps them write, spell, read and do mathematical computation. Word processors can point out spelling mistakes to students. Adaptive readers highlight text or read aloud to students so they can research and use websites like their peers using technology. As technology becomes more prevalent in schools, students who receive special education and use a laptop for help will not stand out or seem out of place.

4. Differentiation

Technology gives students access to a variety of programs and information sources at the simple click of a button. Teachers can find leveled readers or allow students to choose research topics that fit their interests much more easily than by going to the library where resources may be limited. In addition, teachers can assign programs to help students remediate or expand their knowledge so that students can process or investigate topics further. This work can be done during centers or group work, freeing the teacher to attend to individual students or other small groups. Using technology in this way ensures that all the students get what they need.

5. Productivity

Analog tools need to be tended to, cared for and replaced. Using technology allows students to access what they need when they need it. They can keep calendars online, and teachers can push due date reminders in a learning management system (LMS). Word processors do not need to be sharpened and online books do not get lost. Technology allows students instant access to all the materials they need, saving time, space and mental effort.

6. Creativity

The content available online is endless. Students who are interested in learning about arts, music, videos - and virtually anything else - can find plenty of resources. Any creative endeavor that calls to a student can be supported by technology. Tablets have the capabilities to capture students' sketches. Editing software lets students bring photos to life and manipulate them in creative ways. Technology can enhance creativity rather than inhibit it if students are given choice about what they create.

7. Automation

A huge benefit of educational technology for teachers is automation. You can upload lessons into an LMS for students to access on their own time. Online assessments make grading easy and parents can automatically be messaged when students receive a failing grade. Teachers are always looking for ways to find more time in the day, and technology can assist in big ways.

8. Future Focus

We do not yet know what types of jobs will be around when many of our students are adults joining the workforce, but we do know that technology is not going anywhere. Students will need strong technology skills to be successful in whatever job or career they may go into after school. Simply having a mindset that embraces the process of learning and using new technology can make a difference in a student's future.

What Are Some Examples of Using Technology in the Classroom?

If you are interested in using online technology aids in the classroom, here are a couple popular methods to help you get started:

Virtual Textbooks

Among the many benefits of computers for students in the classroom is the potential to access virtual textbooks. Virtual textbooks connect students to a considerable volume of information in an engaging and accessible way. However, it's important for school administrators to ensure that students have the necessary digital resources to access these virtual textbooks at home.

Online Courses

Some K-12 schools are taught entirely online, while others have embraced a hybrid online/in-person model. Both can be helpful for supporting student success.

For example, some smaller school districts might not have the resources necessary to offer more than the standard core classes plus a few enrichment courses (art, physical education, etc.) Access to online classes opens the door to greater opportunities to students in these school districts. Whereas before, students might have only had the option of learning Spanish, for example, they may be able to access online courses for German, French or a variety of other languages.

Using Technology in Teaching: Classroom Technology Tools

Technology plays an important role in both virtual and classroom learning. FlipGrid and Zoom are a couple useful tools you can use in your classroom to help get both students and parents engaged.

FlipGrid

FlipGrid is a video discussion platform for students of all ages. It's much like an online discussion forum for a class, but in video format. The teacher posts a video topic pertaining to the lesson plan and the students record their own discussion videos and post them to the grid.

FlipGrid can offer greater accessibility and engagement for students than traditional text-based discussion platforms. It's also easy to learn how to use, and there is a free version.

Zoom

Zoom is the web-based videoconferencing platform that many people relied upon for meetings during the pandemic. It's also handy for teachers, and not only for those teaching online classes.

Consider implementing Zoom technology in other useful ways, such as virtually bringing a guest speaker to class. You might even suggest Zoom meetings for parent-teaching conferences as a way to boost parental involvement.

Earning a Teaching Degree and Learning More About the Benefits of Computers for Students

The benefits of technology in the classroom are undeniable. As you can see, a teaching career offers limitless potential for innovation. From using technology in teaching to boosting student engagement and parental involvement, you could make a considerable difference in your community as a teacher.

Your first step toward becoming a teacher is to earn a teaching degree. You have many options to choose from. Start by considering which age group you'd like to teach. For example, you could earn a Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education or a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

If you decide you'd like to teach older kids, you'll need to specialize in a particular subject area, as well. For instance, if you are passionate about the power of language, you might pursue a Bachelor of Arts in English for Secondary Education.

Be sure that the degree you select leads to teacher licensure for the state in which you plan to work. In addition to taking coursework in pedagogy and your subject area, you will gain practical experience with a student teaching rotation. You'll also need to meet other licensure requirements for your state, such as passing a background check.

If you are interested in learning how educational technology can benefit your classroom, join us at Grand Canyon University for any of our teaching degree programs. Many of them have a technology-focused approach that will help you learn to integrate new skills and new ways of using technology in your classroom. Fill out the form at the top of your screen to take the next step in your academic journey.

Approved by the associate dean for the College of Education on March 14, 2023. ¹EdWeek (n.d.) The Future Classroom: What Will It Look Like and How Will It Be Different? Education Week. Retrieved February 2023.

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How Using Technology in Teaching Affects Classrooms

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Technology is at the center of our lives in most environments, and the classroom is no exception. Student in today's classrooms have grown up in a world surrounded by technology. They do not know what it is like to experience life without cell phones, computers, televisions and other common tech devices.