Technology Integration

Technology Integration

Definition:

Technology has always been part of man and how man is able to use it becomes the simple way of looking at integration. Therefore life becomes very interesting when technology plays its role to define the way we do things. Integration of Technology is therefore, placing technology into learning for the purpose of achieveing learning outcomes. Learning with systematic planning and strategies for better education achievement; however this should not be mistaken for the use of technology as a tool. Technology integration explains anything that facilitate development of humanity. This could be for the course of Education advancement (education technology) or other reasons. The use of technology overtime has become part of development, hence can be seen in its various components such as digital technology or non-digital technology. This is why David M. Merril (2002). pg.1 in his article explained the fundamental principles that helps promote learning and I see this ties so well with my understanding of the word -Technology Intergration. 

Technology Integration places more focus on the learner. It becomes a systematic way to focus on the content and the pedagogical approach to learning. Curriculum are designed with the content in mind. Contents that are relevant to making learning exciting an interesting. I could not agree more with Dr. Ray Clifford (1983) who sees the importance of technology integration into learning as he views what classrooms will look like in the 21st century and beyond. Therefore, Technology integration should be a conscious attempt to ensure that learners are satisfied by the instruction and the curriculum. TI therefore not only sees the neccessity for learning, but possibility for achieving excellent learning experience.

How does teacher integrate techology:

If learning becomes the focus, how then should it be structured? One fundamental characteristics of TI in education is its focus on the learner and how instructions are delivered. Therefore, it becomes important to beam searchlight on basic requisite skills for teaching effectively, efficiently and ability for instructors to be able to engage student in other to achieve postive learning outcomes, based on Dr. Judith Harris on how to plan effective technology Intergration in her article on teacher technological pedagogy (2009, pg.396). These skills are -

•   knowlege of the student (Pedagogy)
•   subject ( content); and 
•   tools or instructional materials ( technology)

Without doubt this is what Clive Thompson (2013), tries to explain about the power of technology in his blog post which centered on his book, Smarter than you think. Technology Integration will provide rooms for students to be creative thinkers, thougth-through analyst and student capable to face challenges yet to come. On the part of the Instructor/teachers, technology will help shape the design of the way teachers teach, the content definitaion and arrangments and provides variety than traditional ways of support to learning.

On this program, I have been able to create ideas using TI. I have expressed my thought in creative ways and most importantly, TI has help me internalized my reading an reflections more accurately. I  interact with my classmates and instructor beyond my immediate environment by integrating technology in my learning.

Furthermore, teachers can integrate technology by focusing on the 3Es of learning as explained in the article by ChaMin Kim on effective, efficient and engaging learning, Vol. 29, No. 2, August 2008, 187–198. Here are my reflection on the 3Es.

• Effectiveness - Learning becomes relevant and applicable to learners skills. It expands the mind of the learning beyond the walls of the classroom, I now have insight on how to upload documents on Youtube, creating a screencast and my writing skills improved.

• Efficiency - Learning looks at the time value of money, cost benefit, time managments e.g ebooks from the library can be read easily, Q &A no longer need to by typed on google as a matter of choice, now you can just ask "Siri"(with an apple phone) . 

• Engaging - Learning now stimulates competition of ideas as knowlege is motivated across learners ( now we have google forum where we can share our blogs and posts - amazing idea). Openness in the manner of learners interaction with instructors. Students can easily internalize reflections; concepts and theories becomes exciting as this are made possible with the development of games ( e. g Lumosity)

What are the possible Benefits:

Helpful Teacher Memes

• TI benefit to the Students - provides for creativity of the mind, social interactions between peers, global interactions/connectivity, exchange of knowledge and ideas for the purposes of experiments or assignments - Wellington College and the London Nautical School based on Facebook guide for edcuators, my screencast video.

You know you are a teacher Memes

• TI benefit to the teacher - Designing content relevance to learning, tools are easy to use and adaptable to pedagogical knowledge, Teaching becomes fun. Provides rooms for interactions between the learners and instructor, teaching addresses 3Es of learning according to Dr. David Merrills.

This is simple - What is Education Technology

Additional references and footnotes in my communication journal on Tech Integration - Janet Adebo