3 Ways to Integrate Technology in the Classroom
In this Sept. 15, 2015, photo, students work on different projects at Rawlins Elementary School's new SmartLab in Rawlins, Wyo. The SmartLab focuses on STEM, or science, technology, engineering and mathematics, and puts students in charge of their education.(Gavin Elliott/The Rawlins Daily Times via AP)
RCEd Commentary
For many of today’s schools, integrating technology into daily classroom activities is a priority, if not a requirement. And when used properly, education technology can prove beneficial for teachers and students alike. Unfortunately, integrating tech on a consistent basis as a tool to extend student learning has proven to be a challenge for teachers and administrators. Teachers’ unfamiliarity with new technology and lack of training needed to adequately adapt that new tech create problems.
As technology in the classroom becomes the new norm, the need for proper integration protocols increases. We asked a few of today’s educators to share feedback that could help fellow teachers and administrators seamlessly introduce or upgrade edtech in their classrooms.
1: Use technology to reinforce critical thinking, not as a crutch.
While classroom technology creates learning opportunities for students, it can also open the door for complacency. Nick Puckett, a high school Algebra teacher in Clayton, Ind., noted his biggest struggle with edtech integration is making sure his students retain their critical thinking skills. With such immediate access to these new tools, it’s easy for students to rely on the Internet to complete tough assignments, shortchanging the learning process.
Schools and teachers need to stress that new classroom tech should be used to enhance—not replace—daily lessons. Studies have shown that students retain more information when they use edtech with spaced repetition. Visiting and revisiting material via apps that provide practice tests or exercises (instead of encouraging one big cramming session before a test) is one way to support better learning through technology. Students can also be encouraged to use their technology in day-to-day classroom activities, like using a note-taking app instead of taking notes by hand. When edtech is consistently leveraged in lesson plans and treated as part of the classroom culture, students become more engaged and active participants, and retain more information for a longer period of time.
With the Internet literally at their fingertips, it’s also easy for students to misuse these new tools to the point of distraction for themselves and others. To prevent this, classrooms with one device for every student should consider installing software that limits Internet use to educational content.
#2: Districts must develop an edtech leadership team and training regimen.
A lack of sufficient training for both teachers and students is a chief concern for Ashley Marinich, a special education ELA and math teacher in Cincinnati, Ohio.
While tablet use may seem like second nature to most young students, it’s important to implement a training plan that can be understood by first-timers and seasoned pros alike. And don’t forget about teachers: continued training throughout the onboarding process is also important. Districts should make day-to-day technology and training support readily available to help them deal with everything from software upgrades to device failures.
A training component for parents, who will be expected to assist with the use of technology for school assignments at home, should also be considered. Marinich fields daily questions from parents who struggle to help their children due to their inexperience with these kinds of devices.
Also critical at the district level is the creation of an edtech leadership team—a governing body designed to proactively map out best practices for the use of classroom tech, select resources, and create guidelines for implementation of edtech programs. Teachers with technology experience, those with a high interest or affinity for technology, or even outside consultants could all be good candidates to help lead edtech efforts for districts.
#3: Prepare for the worst. Schools and districts must create a damage control plan.
There’s only so much that educators can prepare for. Katie Novak, who teaches middle school science in Holcomb, Kan., stresses the importance of promoting accountability for the general care of edtech devices. At Katie’s school, students and parents are responsible for the financial burden of a device damaged by the user (a cracked screen, for example), while the district handles any component malfunctions.
Schools must communicate a clear damage control plan to parents prior to issuing devices to students. It should concisely outline rules for home use, and provide an option to leave devices in a secure location at school, too. Districts should also consider a “parachute plan” for low-income students, such as those identified for participation in free or reduced lunch programs. One option is to implement a mobile protection plan that covers damage for any reason. This safety net for students who may not be able to pay for damages to classroom technology should be outlined and backed by the edtech leadership team as part of the overall action plan.
Finally, plan for device malfunction. From replacement to repair to reimbursement, educators can save themselves a lot of potential headaches by partnering with an insurance provider.
Successfully integrating new education technology is an ongoing effort. By developing a robust edtech integration strategy—one that includes the crucial components of ongoing training and support for staff and students, an implementation plan, and damage control—educators and school districts can work together to keep students fully engaged and thinking critically.
