Integrating Technology into Elementary School Curriculum Heather Light Arkansas State University heather.smith@smail.astate.edu

What Does Integrating Technology Mean? Integrating Technology is when tools, such as computers, tablets, or other forms of technology, are used to enhance general education and give students the opportunity to use their technology and computer skills to learn and solve problems.

Types of Technology Integration Online Learning and Blended Classrooms Project-Based Activities Incorporating Technology Game-Based Learning and Assessment Learning with Mobile and Handheld Devices Instructional Tools like Interactive Whiteboards and Student Response Systems Web-Based Projects, Explorations, and Research Student-Created Media like Podcasts, Videos, or Slideshows Collaborative Online Tools like Wikis or Google Docs Using Social Media to Engage Students

Hertz’s Four Levels of Technology Integration Sparse: Technology is rarely used or available. Students rarely use technology to complete assignments or projects. Basic: Technology is used or available occasionally/often in a lab rather than the classroom. Students are comfortable with one or two tools and sometimes use these tools to create projects that show understanding of content. Comfortable: Technology is used in the classroom on a fairly regular basis. Students are comfortable with a variety of tools and often use these tools to create projects that show understanding of content. Seamless: Students employ technology daily in the classroom using a variety of tools to complete assignments and create projects that show a deep understanding of content.

Introduce Technology into Curriculum Set a timer on a computer, tablet, or phone Whiteboards to review Use informational/educational videos Allow students to play with voice to text on tablets

Integrate Technology In the Classroom: Outside of the Classroom: Online Game Websites Using educational sites to give students more technology time to play while learning. PowerPoint Use this as a way to help students review, could be in the form of a game or quiz. WebQuest This could be used to give students more technology time. Writing Let students write a “how-to” over a piece of technology. Classroom Website Having a website that students can access from home will give them the ability to see/work on future/previous assignments. Online Grading System A way to keep up with everything easier than paper and pencil. Blog Let students write things to publish in the classroom blog. Publish Students’ Work With parents’ permission, publish work done by students to website or blog.

Successful Integration of Technology "Effective integration of technology is achieved when students are able to select technology tools to help them obtain information in a timely manner, analyze and synthesize the information, and present it professionally. The technology should become an integral part of how the classroom functions -- as accessible as all other classroom tools." -- National Educational Technology Standards for Students, International Society for Technology in Education

Why Do We Need Technology in Curriculum? Students need to have 21st century skills. These skills include: personal and social responsibility planning, critical thinking, reasoning, and creativity strong communication skills, both for interpersonal and presentation needs cross-cultural understanding visualizing and decision making knowing how and when to use technology and choosing the most appropriate tool for the task Allowing students the ability to develop and use these skills is essential to their success inside and outside of the classroom.

Benefits of Integrating Technology into Curriculum Technology is becoming the new norm for younger generations. Most families have at least one device that has internet access. It improves learning processes and outcomes for students. Students tend to show a better understanding of the curriculum if they are able to use some form of technology that is integrated into the curriculum. Technology grabs the attention of children. Children need to have skills of the twenty- first century. These skills are: Personal and social responsibility Planning, critical thinking, reasoning, and creativity Strong communication skills Cross-cultural understanding Visualizing and decision making To know how and when to use technology and how to choose the best tool for the task at hand

Computer Statistics in the Classroom Technology in the Classroom Statistics Data Percent of schools that have one computer per student 3.9 % Percent of schools that have a wireless network 54.2 % Percent of schools that have distant learning available 19.1 % Percent of schools that have laptops available 59.7 % Percent of schools that have high speed internet 84.3 % Percent of schools that have video streaming 43.4 % Percent of schools that have one or more computers in the classroom 98 % Percent of teachers that use the internet for instruction 77 % Percent of schools that lend laptops to students 12 % Percent of teachers who reported students used computers during instructional time in the classroom 40 %

Video – “How to build a 21st century classroom”

References: Blair, Nancye. “National Association of Elementary School Principals: Serving all elementary and middle-Level principals.” NAESP, Feb. 2012, www.naesp.org/principal-januaryfebruary-2012- technology/technology-integration-new-21st-century-learner Fitzell, Susan. “Seven Simple Ideas for Introducing Technology in the Classroom.” Susan Fitzell, 26 Apr. 2017, www.susanfitzell.com/seven-simple-ideas-introducing-technology-classroom/ Haynes, Kim. “12 Easy Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom, Even for Technophobic Teachers.” TeachHUB, www.teachhub.com/12-easy-ways-use-technology-your-classroom-even-technophobic- teachers “How to Integrate Technology.” Edutopia, 5 Nov. 2007, www.edutopia.org/technology-integration- guide-implementation “Integrating Technology In The Curriculum - TechnoKids.” TechnoKids Inc., www.technokids.com/computer-curriculum/technology-integration.aspx

References Continued: “Technology & Computers in Classroom Statistics.” Statistic Brain, 25 Sept. 2017, www.statisticbrain.com/technology-computers-in-classroom-statistics/ “Technology in Schools.” National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Home Page, a part of the U.S. Department of Education, www.nces.ed.gov/pubs2003/tech_schools/chapter7.asp “What Is Successful Technology Integration?” Edutopia, 5 Nov. 2007, www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-guide-description “Why Do We Need Technology Integration?” Edutopia, 5 Nov. 2007, www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-guide-importance YouTube, FOCUSITca, 15 May 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkVxow4Rqus