Use the links below to conduct research on Technology in the Classroom
Benefits of Technology in the Classroom
The Evolution of Technology in the Classroom
Budgeting for Technology
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Question 1 - Why is it important to keep technology alive in the classroom?
Question 2 - How is technology important for learning?
Question 3 - Think of the history of technology and the pace of technological evolutions. How is it relevant to learners and their future?
Question 4 - Describe 2-3 ways technology can be used in the classroom to encourage and advance learning.
Question 1 - It is important to keep technology alive in the classroom because it helps students develop essential skills for the future workforce and allows for more engaging and interactive learning experiences.
Question 2 - Technology is important for learning because it can enhance student engagement, provide access to a wide range of resources, and cater to different learning styles and abilities.
Question 3 - The history of technology and the pace of technological evolution are relevant to learners and their future as it shows the importance of adapting to new technologies and being prepared for advancements in the workforce.
Question 4 - Technology can be used in the classroom to encourage and advance learning by incorporating interactive learning tools such as educational apps, providing access to online resources for research and collaboration, and facilitating personalized learning experiences through adaptive learning platforms.
Answer the questions below. Use 2-3 complete sentences and proofread your writing.
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How you can make educational technology work for you.
Technology has transformed life as we know it, and the classroom looks much different than it did 50—or even 10—years ago. Traditional chalkboards have been replaced with digital whiteboards, and classrooms have a surplus of iPads.
Is this advancement to the detriment of your students, or does it benefit their learning? According to the Pew Research Center, 92% of teachers said that the internet has a major impact on their ability to access content, resources, and materials.* Here are some of the ways educational technology improves the classroom experience:
Creates a More Engaged Environment
You may think technology is just a distraction, but it can help encourage active participation in your classroom. Using devices like a computer, tablet, or other type of technology in your classroom can help turn traditionally dull subjects into interactive and fun activities.
Incorporates Different Learning Styles
Each child in your classroom is different, and it can be challenging to adjust your learning plan to fit every student. Fortunately, technology in education can help you modify your lessons. For example, Ryan Greene, an MS in Instructional Design and Technology graduate, chose online learning to earn his degree at Walden, and now applies his knowledge on integrating technology to help improve his classroom.
“Kids who might want to draw during the entire class can now create an infographic to demonstrate their capabilities and understanding of the content, which I might not have previously seen or assessed,” Greene said.†
His instructional design degree helped him elevate his approach in the classroom, giving students a more tailored experience that can benefit them in the future.
Improves Collaboration
Teachers have observed an increased frequency of students helping each other when they’re using technology in the classroom. Many technology-based tasks involve other aspects, and this leads to situations where students need to seek help from their peers or the teacher.‡ Additionally, when students are assigned to small groups, the students who are more technologically advanced can assist their inexperienced peers.
Prepares Children for the Future
According to a CompTIA study, nine out of 10 students indicated that using technology in the classroom would help prepare them for the digital future.§ By teaching students skills like PowerPoint, you can help set your students up for success. Introducing instructional technology in the classroom at a young age can help prepare students for future digital demands.
Connects You With Your Students
Technology can help teachers form a better relationship with their students and their colleagues. For example, 84% of teachers report using the internet at least weekly to find content that will engage students.* Integrating technology into your lesson plans as well as using it to expand your own knowledge of subject matter can make a significant difference in the classroom.
Technology will undoubtedly continue to evolve, and it’s important to adjust your classroom style to align with its advancements. Greene offers some advice to fellow teachers: “Take the risk. Try something new. You never really know how effective a tool or approach will be until you try it. Using technology in your classroom also encourages critical thinking skills. Just dive in.”
Educational technology can work for teachers by creating a more engaged environment in the classroom, incorporating different learning styles, improving collaboration among students, preparing children for the future, and connecting teachers with their students. By utilizing devices like computers and tablets, teachers can turn traditional subjects into interactive activities that cater to individual students, fostering a more personalized and effective learning experience for all. Embracing technology in the classroom not only enhances the educational experience but also helps students develop essential skills for the digital future.
In the 21st century, it can feel like advanced technology is changing the K–12 classroom in ways we’ve never seen before. But the truth is, technology and education have a long history of evolving together to dramatically change how students learn.
With more innovations surely headed our way, why not look back at how we got to where we are today, while looking forward to how educators can continue to integrate new technologies into their learning?
DISCOVER: Special education departments explore advanced tech in their classrooms.
Using Technology in the K–12 Classroom: A History
1659: MAGIC LANTERN
Inventor: Christiaan Huygens
A Brief History: An ancestor of the slide projector, the magic lantern projected glass slides with light from oil lamps or candles. In the 1680s, the technology was brought to the education space to show detailed anatomical illustrations, which were difficult to sketch on a chalkboard.
Interesting Fact: Huygens initially regretted his creation, thinking it was too frivolous.
1795: PENCIL
Inventor: Nicolas-Jacques Conté
A Brief History: Versions of the pencil can be traced back hundreds of years, but what’s considered the modern pencil is credited to Conté, a scientist in Napoleon Bonaparte’s army. It made its impact on the classroom, however, when it began to be mass produced in the 1900s.
Interesting Fact: The Aztecs used a form of graphite pencil in the 13th century.
1801: CHALKBOARD
Inventor: James Pillans
A Brief History: Pillans — a headmaster at a high school in Edinburgh, Scotland — created the first front-of-class chalkboard, or “blackboard,” to better teach his students geography with large maps. Prior to his creation, educators worked with students on smaller, individual pieces of wood or slate. In the 1960s, the creation was upgraded to a green board, which became a familiar fixture in every classroom.
Interesting Fact: Before chalkboards were commercially manufactured, some were made do-it-yourself-style with ingredients like pine board, egg whites and charred potatoes.
1888: BALLPOINT PEN
Inventory: John L. Loud
A Brief History: John L. Loud invented and patented the first ballpoint pen after seeking to create a tool that could write on leather. It was not a commercial success. Fifty years later, following the lapse of Loud’s patent, Hungarian journalist László Bíró invented a pen with a quick-drying special ink that wouldn’t smear thanks to a rolling ball in its nib.
Interesting Fact: When ballpoint pens debuted in the U.S., they were so popular that Gimbels, the department store selling them, made $81 million in today’s money within six months.
LEARN MORE: Logitech Pen works with Chromebooks to combine digital and physical learning.
1950S: OVERHEAD PROJECTOR
Inventor: Roger Appeldorn
A Brief History: Overhead projects were used during World War II for mission briefings. However, 3M employee Appeldorn is credited with creating not only a projectable transparent film, but also the overhead projectors that would find a home in classrooms for decades.
Interesting Fact: Appeldorn’s creation is the predecessor to today’s bright and efficient laser projectors.
1959: PHOTOCOPIER
Inventor: Chester Carlson
A Brief History: Because of his arthritis, patent attorney and inventor Carlson wanted to create a less painful alternative to making carbon copies. Between 1938 and 1947, working with The Haloid Photographic Company, Carlson perfected the process of electrophotography, which led to development of the first photocopy machines.
Interesting Fact: Haloid and Carlson named their photocopying process xerography, which means “dry writing” in Greek. Eventually, Haloid renamed its company (and its flagship product line) Xerox.
1967: HANDHELD CALCULATOR
Inventor: Texas Instruments
A Brief History: As recounted in our history of the calculator, Texas Instruments made calculators portable with a device that weighed 45 ounces and featured a small keyboard with 18 keys and a visual display of 12 decimal digits.
Interesting Fact: The original 1967 prototype of the device can be found in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History.
1981: THE OSBORNE 1 LAPTOP
Inventor: Adam Osborne, Lee Felsenstein
A Brief History: Osborne, a computer book author, teamed up with computer engineer Felsenstein to create a portable computer that would appeal to general consumers. In the process, they provided the technological foundation that made modern one-to-one devices — like Chromebooks — a classroom staple.
Interesting Fact: At 24.5 pounds, the Osborne 1 was about as big and heavy as a sewing machine, earning it the current classification of a “luggable” computer, rather than a laptop.
1990: WORLD WIDE WEB
Inventor: Tim Berners-Lee
A Brief History: In the late 1980s, British scientist Berners-Lee created the World Wide Web to enable information sharing between scientists and academics. It wasn’t long before the Web could connect anyone, anywhere to a wealth of information, and it was soon on its way to powering the modern classroom.
Interesting Fact: The first web server Berners-Lee created was so new, he had to put a sign on the computer that read, “This machine is a server. DO NOT POWER IT DOWN!”
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What Technology Is Used in Today’s K–12 Classrooms?
Technology has come so far that modern classrooms are more technologically advanced than many science labs were two decades ago. Students have access to digital textbooks, personal devices, collaborative cloud-based tools, and interactive whiteboards. Emerging technologies now being introduced to K–12 classrooms include voice assistants, virtual reality devices and 3D printers.
Perhaps the most important thing about ed tech in K–12 isn’t what the technology is, but how it’s used.
How to Integrate Technology into K–12 Classrooms
The first step to integrating technology into the K–12 classroom is figuring out which solution to integrate, given the large variety of tools available to educators. That variety comes with benefits — like the ability to align tech with district objectives and grade level — but also brings challenges.
“It’s difficult to know how to choose the appropriate digital tool or resource,” says Judi Harris, professor and Pavey Family Chair in Educational Technology at the William & Mary School of Education. “Teachers need some familiarity with the tools so that they understand the potential advantages and disadvantages.”
The history of technology in education has been one of continuous evolution, from the magic lantern and chalkboard to handheld calculators and the World Wide Web. Each advancement has not only changed the way students learn but also revolutionized the teaching methods in the classroom. In today's K-12 classrooms, technology plays a crucial role in enhancing learning experiences, providing access to digital resources, and fostering collaboration among students. Teachers need to be familiar with various digital tools to effectively integrate technology into their lesson plans, aligning them with district objectives and grade levels to maximize the benefits of educational technology.
Ok i gave you all the info you need now answer the questions i gave you in 2-3 sentences
Question 1 - Technology is important to keep alive in the classroom as it creates a more engaging and interactive learning environment for students, helping them develop essential skills for the future workforce.
Question 2 - Technology is important for learning as it caters to different learning styles, allowing for more personalized and effective educational experiences for students in the classroom.
Question 3 - The history of technology in education showcases a continuous evolution that has revolutionized teaching methods and transformed the way students learn, preparing them for future digital demands and advancements in the workforce.
Answer the questions below. Use 2-3 complete sentences
Question 1 - Why is it important to keep technology alive in the classroom?
Question 2 - How is technology important for learning?
Question 3 - Think of the history of technology and the pace of technological evolutions. How is it relevant to learners and their future?
Question 4 - Describe 2-3 ways technology can be used in the classroom to encourage and advance learning.