Technology has come a long way. Can you imagine a world without it? It's almost a part of everything thing we do, and every step we take. If I to define technology with brevity, I would use these for words, "makes our lives easier." In essence, technology is a staple of our lives. Its importance in many professions is renowned, and the same holds true in the teaching profession. Traditional and emerging technology is a vital component for the teacher and the student.
Teachers can use the combination of traditional and emerging technology to not only make their lives easier, but the lives on their students as well. These technologies can help the teacher and student attain educational goals.
Traditional technologies include:
1) Overhead projectors- It is typically used by teachers to display transparencies
2) Scanners-Teachers often use a scanner to scan documents and images into the computer
3) VCR- used by some teachers to play movies stored on videocassette tapes.
4) Multimedia cart with projector- laptop, speakers, and a projector to display educational materials and deliver presentations to their class
5) PDAs- PDAs are primarily used by teachers and students to enter information
6) Desktop computers and laptop with internet access- Teachers use desktop computers and/or laptops to prepare classroom materials, students used them for research, word-processing, etc.
7) MP3 players- MP3 players are used to play mp3 files (e.g., podcasts and music).
8) Smart board/interactive whiteboard technology-
9) CD-Rom and DVD-Rom drives- Both teachers and students use CD-ROM/DVD-ROM players to read CDs and DVDs. The latter may contain educational software, classroom materials, music, and movies.
Emerging technologies include:
WIFI TECHNOLOGY
WiFi (wireless fidelity) technology makes it possible for computer networks and handhelds (e.g., the HP IPAQ Smartphone) to connect to the Internet wirelessly. This has increased teachers' flexibility in teaching and learning. Teachers and students can exit the classroom with their wireless laptops or handhelds and connect to the Internet using public wireless networks (e.g., at Starbucks)
WEB 2.0 TECHNOLOGIES
The term "Web 2.0 technologies" refers to technologies that facilitate new ways of collaborating and creating information online. Examples of Web 2.0 technologies include podcasts, wikis, blogs, social networking services, virtual reality environments, and photo-sharing websites.
1) Podcasts- Podcasting or the broadcasting of audio files over the Internet has been around for a few years but its use in education is relatively new.
2) Wikis- A wiki is a website that is written collaboratively by different individuals in the public.
3) Blog- A blog is a type of website where an individual or organization can keep an online journal or share information, personal news and commentaries about different topics of interest, as well as pictures, video clips, and other materials.
4) Social Networking Services
A social networking service is an online service that gathers communities of people with similar interests and/or activities and allows them to communicate via email and instant messaging.projects with other students around the world.
5) Virtual Reality Environments- A virtual reality environment is a Web-based 3-D environment that allows users to interact with the 3-D environment.
6) Photo-Sharing Websites- A photo-sharing website is a website that allows people to maintain and share photos.
Teachers must assess the impact of any technology introduced into the classroom, and they must do so effectively. By doing so, teachers are able to objectively identify the success or failure, also what areas to improve on.
There are two types of evaluations that teachers can perform when evaluating the use of technology in their classroom, namely formative evaluations and summative evaluations.
Formative Evaluations
A formative evaluation is typically performed during the early implementation stages of technology. It asks questions related to the process of planning and implementation.
For example, a formative evaluation may ask:
- Was the technology equipment that was ordered received on time?
- Is it necessary to provide training to teachers and students on how to use the technology?
- Which technology skills do teachers and students need to use the technology?
- Did teachers and students receive training on how to use the technology?
- Was the technology incorporated into the classroom?
Summative Evaluations
A summative evaluation, on the other hand, is performed to assess the impact of technology on teachers' and students' performance outcomes. Although some information in summative evaluations is collected during the early implementation stages of technology (e.g., baseline data and test scores), most of the information is collected after technology has been implemented in the classroom for a reasonable period of time. A summative evaluation asks questions related to performance outcomes.
For example:
- Have teachers' and students' technology skills improved following training?
- Have teachers increased their use of technology in the classroom?
- Has technology improved teachers' instructional delivery?
- Has technology increased students' motivation?
- Has technology increased student engagement?
- Has technology increased students' performance?
