VISION STATEMENT
Brief
History of Technology in Education:
In 1983, the federal report, A Nation at Risk, recommended that high school graduation requirements include coverage of the “Five New Basics”—English, mathematics, science, social studies, and computer science (Culp, Honey, & Mandiach, 2005). The role of the computer in education began to evolve and high school students began taking computer classes. Educators also began to see the benefits of using computer programs for word processing and organizing data.
Over the past 30 years, technology and computers have evolved into a major part of our lives, and have had an enormous impact on public education in the United States. Computers and the Internet are now used in virtually all aspects of education. They are used by teachers as tools to help deliver instruction, create lesson plans, communicate, manage student information, participate in professional development opportunities, and network with colleagues. Administrators and support staff use computers as tools for communication, organization, and data collection and management. Finally, they are used by kindergarten through 12th grade students as learning tools to create projects, complete research, word processing, and, most recently, to play educational games.
"Technology innovations are increasing the demand for reforms in teaching and learning approaches that, in turn, are having a significant impact on technology use expectations." (Valdez, McNabb, Foertsch, Anderson, Hawkes, & Raack, 2000) Furthermore, evidence demonstrates that computer-based technology has a positive impact on learning.
Technology Integration:
ISTE (International Society for Technology Integration) defines technology integration as:
"Curriculum integration with the
use of technology involves the infusion of technology as a tool to enhance the
learning in a content area or multidisciplinary setting... 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. The focus in each lesson or unit is the
curriculum outcome, not the technology."
Computer literacy has become a life skill and is as equally
important for high school graduates as is Math, English, Social Studies and
Science.
Furthermore, when given the opportunity through technology,
students shift from passive learners and take on a more active role in their
own learning. (Vega, 2013) So, in addition to all of the other benefits, technology helps create lifelong learners, an essential 21st Century skill.
References:
Culp, K. M., Honey, M.,
& Mandiach, E. (2005). A retrospective on 20 years of education technology
policy. Journal of
Educational Computing Research, 32(3),
279-307U.S. Department of Education.
Gilbert Valdez, M. M.
(2000). Computer-Based
Technology and Learning Evolving Uses and Expectations. Oak Brook: North Central Regional
Educational Laboratory.
Valdez, G., McNabb, M.,
Foertsch, M., Anderson, M., Hawkes, M., & Raack, L. (2000). Computer-Based Technology and
Learning Evolving Uses and Expectations. Oak
Brooks: North Central Regional Educational Laboratory.
Vega, V. (2013, February 5).
Technology Integration Research Review. Retrieved January 18, 2015, from
http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-research-learning-outcomes
