Vision Statement

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.  Additionally, when appropriate technology is used by the teacher in meaningful ways to help deliver instruction, it can be a valuable teaching strategy for reaching all types of learners. "Technology offers opportunities for learner-control, increased motivation, connections to the real world, and data-driven assessments tied to content standards that, when implemented systemically, enhance student achievement as measured in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, standardized achievement tests." (Valdez, 2000)

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