Curriculum Integration of Technology for Secondary and Adult Learners.
During my final semester at ASU, I participated in ED 411 as a part of the criteria for the Educational Technology minor. This course was all about integrating effective technology into the classroom which has secondary/adult learners. I learned about tech integration, emerging tech integration frameworks, managing an integrated classroom, standards for technology infused courses, and UbD Lesson Planning. Although this course was completely online, I worked with my classmates to perfect our final products throughout the course with self and peer assessments.
Technology Integration and It's Frameworks.
Technology integration, or the use of digital tools and resources to enhance a learning experience, has been proven over and over again to promote student success, retention, and engagement. These three things, along with safety, are the priority of all educators. I learned throughout ED 411 that technology integration was the only way to achieve the level of learning that I wanted along with the level of collaboration and engagement that was needed.
After completing some research, I was shocked to find that technology was being integrated all around me! I found technology integration in science, math, history, English... even cheerleading! The possibilities to tech integration and its benefits seemed endless- which I why I run a technology integrated classroom. If you would like to learn more about technology integration in the secondary classroom, what this presentation I created during ED 411.
There are also several frameworks that are used for technology integration. TIP, LoTi, SAMR, and TPACK are the most popular frameworks of technology integration. They each have processes in place to help teacher choose what type of integration would be effective, how to implement the integration, and how to perfect it. I found this to be super exciting as well! This is a free tool that I can use to help me become a better teacher! If you would like to learn more about the frameworks, you can view the video I created in ED 411.
There are also several frameworks that are used for technology integration. TIP, LoTi, SAMR, and TPACK are the most popular frameworks of technology integration. They each have processes in place to help teacher choose what type of integration would be effective, how to implement the integration, and how to perfect it. I found this to be super exciting as well! This is a free tool that I can use to help me become a better teacher! If you would like to learn more about the frameworks, you can view the video I created in ED 411.
Managing a Technologically Integrated Classroom.
A classroom cannot function without the management system, and just like any other curriculum, tech integration must come with its own management strategies. during my research I found some things I had already seen in schools and somethings that I had never dreamed of. I learned about "45" ing computer screen, cellphone huts, and many other strategies that teachers are using to manage technology integration. I also learned a lot about the research behind the strategies. If look closely at this presentation, you may find some things to be familiar ;)
What Else?
Other things that I was involved in throughout the course were assessing lessons during an assignment called "Setting the Standard" and I created a lesson using the UbD Lesson Plan format. When I reflected on the lessons of others, I used what I had learned to make suggestions for improvement- what I might do differently, what might have worked better, etc. The UbD lesson plan is a strategy of planning lessons by "backward design." I begin with the standards, learning goals/understandings, and essential question. From those things, I planned and created the assessments and ways that I would gauge my students' learning. Once I had planned the assessments, I planned activities to prepare my students for those assessments. This method of lesson planning, I found to be very effective. Instead of teaching students and then testing them in ways that do not connect to how they learned, the thought to create an assessment and prepare the students for that assessment seemed like an AMAZING new concept- which I use often in my classroom!
Why does this matter?
I know all of my students and their parents are thinking "Why do I need to know that she has done any of this?" Well, ED 411 directly effected you and your child's learning. All of the research I have done in this course and continue to do as a lifelong learner, introduced me to the ways in which I teach my students today. I might have never looked into tech integration had I not added the EdTech Minor, and I definitely would not know anything about the frameworks. If I hadn't taken this course, I may be trying to integrate technology without a framework or a management plan- that would be something! Overall, having taken this course has changed my teaching philosophy and outlook on teaching in the secondary classroom. I have learned so many things and will continue to learn about technology integration in order to perfect my art as your child's teacher.