How should teachers leverage technology to enhance student learning, and how does that use align with what we know about how humans learn?
Living in the world of new technology in constant change, it is very important that teachers and all professionals in the educational area be aware of how technology empowers their teaching style and enhances student learning. The bigger challenge is to identify the better use of it inside and outside of the classroom. When the technology-based tools available now are used in a positive way it has a tremendous impact on the student’s outcome. According to McKnight, O'Malley, Ruzic, Horsley, J. Franey and Katherine Bassett (2016) Technology improves access, enhances communications and feedback, helps teachers to work in a better time schedule, technology extends purpose, and audience for student work. McKnight et al ( 2016) in their investigation the authors identify some instructional strategies and tactics using technology that benefits the student's improvement in the learning process. First, there are evidences that the use of technology improved access for teachers and students. McKnight et al ( 2016) in their article: Teaching in a Digital Age: How Educators Use Technology to Improve Student Learning wrote: “Results suggest that technology improved access for teachers as well as for students, to more up-to-date learning resources and to materials at anytime and anywhere. Technology also improved access for students with special circumstances and needs”. Second, Technology Enhanced Communication and Feedback between teachers, students, and stakeholders. McKnight et al ( 2016) wrote “The results were efficient feedback and adjustment of teaching, and anytime, anywhere communication. Teachers used e-mail, texting, online forums, Web sites, and virtual classrooms to communicate”. Communication is crucial in the educational systems, Hoyle, English, and Steffy (1998) years ago spoke that for school leaders communication is discovered as one of the nine most important skills to master. Sheninger (2014) said “Social Media, provide many free tools that leaders can incorporate into their communication plan”. (p.78) Third, is about restructuring teachers time, McKnight et al ( 2016) noted that “Teachers at the flipped learning site, for example, were observed spending more time working side-by-side with students than in front of the class lecturing…helping students gather information on their own.” They also noted that the different model required “greater skills in guiding and questioning”. Students receiving more side-by-side time should be better because they will learn how to think from their instructors, learning to question and be guided. McKnight et al ( 2016) Reported information from a classroom in Main that “You don’t have to spend all the time grading and handing [assignments] back … that’s the time that they can be doing more, the meat of the stuff”. By leveraging technology to help to grade and giving faster feedback they got some time back that could be used to learn the next portion faster. Fourth, McKnight et al ( 2016) report: Through blogging and posting work online, students shared their work with classmates, parents, and students from other schools. One teacher noted that because students knew their work would be seen by strangers, “they wanted to look like they were prepared; they wanted to look like they knew what they were talking about; and they also cared about the outcome.” Having stakes in the outcome can change perspective and effort. In this case, it was achieved by increasing the audience size to include professionals, peers, teachers, and parents being able to look up the blogs and other posts. Fifth, McKnight et al ( 2016) while discussing a couple of classrooms in Idaho that there was a change in roles: They described their traditional role as, “being the star of the show … the one up in the front giving all the information,” and as simply “standing there, just spoon-feeding [the students].” Their new focus for teaching and learning was depth over breadth, and technology provided the resources needed to facilitate such an approach. … students were developing their inquiry skills by learning how to research answers to their questions. Students developing skills is more important than teachers looking like the star and center of attention. Does the Church need to evolve to meet the needs of a digital age? In the case of Church, well more specifically The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus followed the plan of his Father, Notably, he sends messengers to Peter to have him bring the Gospel of salvation to the Gentiles officially for the first time starting with Cornelius and his household (Acts 10, King James Version). This moment essentially sends the gospel to the whole world, whoever will come, may. Also, Jesus Christ instructed his disciples to “Let your light so shine before men” (Matthew 5:16, King James Version). Keeping this in mind Technology is like a hilltop where light could shine from and should be organized to serve the Kingdom of Heaven and bring glory to the Father. References Katherine McKnight, Kimberly O'Malley, Roxanne Ruzic, Maria Kelly Horsley, John J. Franey & Katherine Bassett (2016) Teaching in a Digital Age: How Educators Use Technology to Improve Student Learning, Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 48:3, 194-211, DOI: 10.1080/15391523.2016.1175856 Hoyle, J.R., English, F.W.,& Steffy. , E. (1998). Skills for successful 21st century school leaders: Standards for peak performers. Arlington, VA: America Association of School Administrators. Sheninger, E. (2014). Digital Leadership; Changing Paradigms for Changing Times. Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin.
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Francione Sousa NeffI like to write, I love to meet new people and to travel is my passion! Archives
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