April Benton - Blog 2- Technology Integration

Educational Technology

In my view, educational technology is the use of technology resources with the integration of curriculum and pedagogy to provide meaningful learning experiences for students. After reading about the five perspectives of educational technology, I felt like my view was supported the most with perspective five technology as a learning science. I can relate with the learning scientist who builds technology experiences connected with authentic, real, and simulated problems. However, I do not believe that every integration of technology needs to revolve around problem-based learning. I do believe that, as educators, we need to find ways for our students to become creators. As I work with teachers, I have seen technology used mostly for students to consume more often than create. In a recent staff development, I asked the teachers to share their most memorable moments from school. Each and every teacher, no matter what their age, referenced a time that they were creating or actively engaged. These are the moments that our students will remember and take with them for life.

Another experience I had with technology integration happened last year in a first-grade classroom. I was in the classroom to introduce coding to the students. As I walked into the room the students were finishing up a lesson using iReady, which has a technology component. As I was walking around, there was a student who was struggling with the addition lesson. He became so frustrated and was extremely upset during this activity. As we began the coding lesson, the students were still using addition skills, but it was being taught differently. This same frustrated student excelled at the coding activity. This is a great example that shows how technology can enhance a lesson, and all students learn differently.



TPACK
The TPACK framework was introduced to our district many years ago as we were coaching our teachers on technology integration. At the time, we were introducing new resources, and we wanted to make sure the teachers were not forcing technology without thinking about content and pedagogy.

Within TPACK framework, I ask myself the following questions when developing lessons with teachers:

• What is the content I am teaching my students?
• What method am I going to use?
• What technology resource would best enhance this lesson?

I currently start all planning sessions with the content/standards that are to be taught to the students. After looking at the content, I then focus on pedagogy and technology resources. One example of this in action would be a recent lesson I completed with the 9th-grade biology class. The students were working on the standard that included the application of DNA. After meeting with the teacher on the content we developed a Project-Based Lesson that had the students research about Designer Babies and complete a profile for a couple that was interested in this procedure. The students had to share the pros and cons of the procedure. The information was presented in adobe spark pages. This assignment required students to research the content in order to prepare the report for the expectant parents. On the other hand, I have worked with Kindergartens who were learning the letter B. The students used Chatterpix to bring the letter to life. The students introduced the letter, sound, and words in which the letter can be found.

As a digital coach, I work with all teachers K-12. When I was in the classroom, I taught fifth grade, but that was over 15 years ago. Since that time the curriculum has changed multiple times. For those reasons, content would be the area in which I struggle in the TPACK model. When coaching, I depend on the teachers to know their content. I meet with them to discuss the content, and I help them find ways to integrate technology into their content. My goal is to help math teachers integrate technology in a way that provides higher-level thinking and is not just an online worksheet. I never want technology to be forced, but as I work with teachers day in and out, I sometimes struggle integrating technology into the math curriculum. I have encouraged them to use flip grid with students, this resource allows the students to explain their answers which helps the teacher see where a student is struggling. I have also helped teachers do larger scaled projects where they are planning a trip and the students have to plan a trip with a budget, but I know that is not a typical daily math assignment. As a coach, I hope to continue to grow in technology integration in the math curriculum area.