Foundations and Assessment of Education/Edition 1/Foundations Table of Contents/Chapter 13/Chapter FAQ

Technology: Frequently Asked Questions

by: Ashley High



 What is Technology Integration?

Technology Integration is allowing students to use technology and computer skills in meaningful ways to enhance education. Integrating technology into the classroom improves not only the learning process, but the outcomes as well. These classrooms use a more student-centered approach and are much more engaged in classroom activities. They are not being taught technology, it has been integrated in such a way, that it is transparent. ("Technology Integration", "Definition", para. 1)

Shaffner (2002) defines technology integration as "the use of technology resources -- computers, digital cameras, CD-ROMs, software applications, the Internet, etc. -- in daily classroom practices, and in the management of a school."

What kind of skills does technology integration build?

Technology integration in the classroom helps build many 21st Century Skills. These skills include personal and social responsibility, planning, reasoning, critical thinking, communication skills, cross-cultural understanding, decision-making, and knowledge of when and how to use technology appropriately. (Shaffner, 2002)

What are the teacher standards for integration of technology into classrooms?

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has issued five standards that teachers should uphold to successfully integrate technology into classrooms.

These include:

1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity

2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

5. Engage In Professional Growth and Leadership

 What is project-based learning?

Wikipedia defines project-based learning as "the use of classroom projects, intended to bring about deep learning, where students use technology and inquiry to engage with issues and questions that are relevant to their lives. These classroom projects are used to assess student's subject matter competence compared to traditional testing." ("Project Based Learning", "Definition", para. 1)

What is Web 2.0?

"Web 2.0 refers to what is perceived as a second generation of web development and web design. It is characterised as facilitating communication, information sharing, interoperability, and collaboration on the World Wide Web. It has led to the development and evolution of web-based communities, hosted services, and web applications. Examples include social-networking sites, video-sharing sites, wikis, blogs and folksonomies." ("Web 2.0", "Definition", para. 1) What is a "Wikiversity"?

According to a definition from Wikipedia.org, a Wikiversity is an online community that allows users can find and share information, answers to questions, and general knowledge. Wikiversity's motto/slogan is "Set learning free" with an emphasis on "learning by doing." Learning groups may form in order to collaborate on a group projects. ("Wikiversity", "Definition", para. 1)

How are student written texts created?

Students, along with teachers or professors, come together to write a text which others can read and learn from. The students are learning while they teach. The students do not have the purchase expensive textbooks and it has been proven very effective. They are able to peer-review each other to get the best possible text. http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Foundations_and_Assessment_of_Education/Edition_1/Foundations_Table_of_Contents/Chapter_13/Content_Articles/13.3.1

What is a virtual school?

"The most accepted definition of a virtual school is an entity approved by a state or governing body that offers courses through distance delivery and most commonly using the Internet." (Barbour & Reeves, 2008, p. 402)

There are many benefits from virtual schooling, such as better access, positive learning opportunities, more flexibility and better efficiency. (Barbour & Reeves, 2008)

"What does the term 'Digital Natives' mean and can our classrooms keep up with them?"

Digital Natives, or the "Net Generation" is a new cohort describing the youth of our society that have been using technology all their lives. This gives them better technical skills and learning preferences geared to a digital age.

However, traditional education will not be adequate to support Digital Natives. Education reform is needed to keep up with the ever-changing "Net Generation." More research needs to be done so that educators can identify appropriate learning strategies for the Digital Natives.

 Multiple Choice Questions

1. What type of school offers all courses through distance-delivery methods such as the Internet?

a. Online class

b. Virtual school

c. Internet school

d. Web school

2. Which of the following is NOT a ISTE standard for integrating technology in the classroom?

a. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility

b. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning

c. Use at least 1 technology during every lesson

d. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments

'''3. Jordan is considered to be a very good student with a very bright future ahead of her. She always gets work on done on time and will not settle for anything less than an A. She always strives to use computers and digital media in her class projects to make them the best they can be. Through technology integration in her classrooms, she has built many new skills. These skills are called __________.'''

a. 21st Century Skills

b. Technology Skills

c. Digital Media Skills

d. Computer Science Skills

4. Which of the following would NOT be considered Technology Integration?

a. Sending students an email with a Social Studies assignment to complete and email back to the professor.

b. Making a non-linear Powerpoint presentation into a game such as Jeopardy to teach Earth Science.

c. Using an Excel file, have the students create an interactive map of the US to study Geography.

d. Giving a lecture on how to use Microsoft Office for a Computer Science class.

 Answers

1. B

2. C

3. A

4. D

 References

Barbour, M. K., & Reeves, T. C. (2009) The reality of virtual schools: A review of the literature. Journal of Computers & Education, 52, 402-416

Bennett, S., Maton, K., & Kervin, L. (2008) The digital natives debate: A critical review of the evidence. British journal of educational technology, 39, 775-786

O'Reilly, T. (2005), âWhat is web 2.0? Design patterns and business models for the next generation of software

Project Based Learning, In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved June 6, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Based_Learning

Shaffner, M. (2002), Technology integration instructional module. The george lucas educational foundation.

Technology Integration, In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved June 6, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_integration

Web 2.0, In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved June 6, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0

Wikiversity, In Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved June 6, 2009, from http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Wikiversity:What_is_Wikiversity%3F

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Alucy001 (talk) 16:03, 7 June 2009 (UTC)