6 Technology, Digital Media, and Curriculum Integration By: Ashley Terrell, Brittany Wood, Hayley Hampton

What is Curriculum? Curriculum is defined as the knowledge, skills, and performance standards students are expected to acquire in particular grade levels, or subject matter units of instruction. The Curriculum can be designed at the state or district level by a team of specialists, instructional leaders, and other experts.

The state departments provide their school districts with: Policies Directives Updates to the states public education issues Access to up – to –date statistics Standards and accountability issues Teacher certification Scholarships Grants Funding sources Resources Curriculum standards Benchmarks

Documents that describe curriculum and benchmarks are called curriculum framework or curriculum guides. 1. 2. 3. Curriculum Standards Goal/benchmark Grade level expectation 4.

Technology integration also called curriculum integration Is the combination of all technology parts, such as hardware and software, together with each subject related area of the curriculum to enhance learning A critical issue Technology should drive the curriculum. The curriculum, rather, should drive the technology. Meaning Teachers should use the appropriate technologies to enhance learning at the appropriate times and to teach the standards. Classroom Integration: More effective, Readily available Media Centers Computer labs: Schedule time Cost effective Easier to maintain

Classroom Integration verses Media Centers and Computer labs Classroom Integration: Is more effective, computers are readily available allowing for the teachable moment. Media Centers and Computer labs: Are easier to maintain and more cost effective but you have to schedule a time.

Integrating Technology into the Curriculum Technology has the potential to increase student motivation and class attendance. Things to consider when integrating technology Standards and related learning objectives Accomplishing instructional goals Administering to different learning styles By engaging students in different ways, technology encourages them to take a more active role in the learning process.

Changing Instructional Strategies Facilitator of Learning Motivate students to want to learn Promote a learning atmosphere Students are able to assimilate information and become problem solvers Welliver’s Instructional Transformation Model: The five stages of technology integration. Switch from being sage on the stage, to being the guide on the side

Barriers to Technology Integration Limited time for teacher planning Computer placement in remote locations Budget constraints Lack of network support Lack of teacher training Security constraints that impede instructional strategies Lack of administration support

Technology in the Learning Process Authentic learning. Instructional activities that demonstrate real-life connections by associating the concept being taught with a real life experience or event. Participatory Learning (Secondary Learning) A type of learning that occurs when students become engaged in inquiring, investigating, reflecting, solving problems, and formulating and answering questions. Discussing, brainstorming, explaining and debating issues. Anchored Instruction Providing a knowledge base on which students can build Technology in the Learning Process Research shows that using technology in the classroom motivates students, encourages them to become problem solvers, and creates new avenues to demonstrate creative thinking. Academic levels Learning styles Learning abilities Geographic locations Cultural backgrounds Socioeconomic levels

Planning Lessons with Technology Utilizing technology in lesson plans is important. Skill Assessment Survey distinguish each students’ academic and technological skill level and then create a starting point to build on. KWL charts are instructional planning charts that have the students state what they Know, Want to know, and Learned. KWHL charts are similar to the KWL chart except that it adds How the student will learn.

Instructional Models A instructional model is a systematic guide for planning instruction or a lesson. The ASSURE model – a procedural guide for planning and delivering instruction that integrates technologies and media into the teaching process, and includes these steps: Analyze the Learner to determine the learner’s skill level. State Objectives to inform your students what skills and knowledge you expect them to demonstrate. Select Methods, Media, and Materials based on method of instruction, appropriate media format for method, and select, modify, update, or design materials for instruction. Utilize Methods, Media, and Materials – preview the materials to ensure it is correct and appropriate. Require Learner Participation Evaluate and Revise – determine the significance or worth, then change so that the lesson will be more effective the next time.

Getting Started at a New School There are many websites and sources to assist you in integrating technology into your new classroom. Technology committees make recommendations to the principal and technology coordinator about technology-related issues. A teacher’s manual contains information, rules and regulations, rights and responsibilities, and policies and procedures, including those related to all aspects of technology in the district. Technology training can take place during in-service, which is training for teachers after they have entered the profession. Hardware – You will want to look into upgrading or retrieving additional hardware. Educational grants may be some additional funds you can use to achieve this. Software – You will need to look into what software is available to you and your school’s procedure for purchasing and obtaining more. Other Technologies – A VCR, DVD player, digital camera/video camera, scanner, projector, or electronic whiteboard may also be available to you. Many of these are in a schools media center and can be scheduled for use.

Putting it all Together Creating an Integrated Learning Environment Centers, or learning centers allow you to break your classroom into different learning environments without ever leaving the room. Essential questioning technique is looking for the most important part of a topic. The Classroom Centers Some examples of centers you could create are: a discovery computer center, Web search center, modeling center, great explorers’ library center, scanning and photo center, science center, and a digital media center. Results of Technology Integration Using technology appropriately can yield higher results from students. Technology also increases self-esteem, self-confidence, and improves writing skills.