Sunday, January 24, 2010

Separate or Integrated: Technology Instruction in the classroom

Should technology (computer skills, typing, software instruction, etc.) be taught as separate skills or as part of an integrated lesson?

As a teacher who has used computers with students for over 10 years this is a question that has guided my instruction from the beginning. I have found that all technology lessons can be integrated it just depends on where the emphasis lies. One skill that I believe should be taught separately is beginning keyboarding (when students are learning key placement and building speed). More advanced keyboarding, dealing with spacing and formatting documents should be integrated with creating and developing documents such as letters, essays, and research papers. Use of software should be integrated with actual relevant lessons or activities tied to the classroom. Internet activities including research, interaction with educational web sites, 2.0, and etc. should also be taught as part of integrated lessons and projects. Use of digital media such as cameras, video, music should be taught in such as way that the introduction of skills and parts of the equipment should be taught independently but putting those skills into practice should be done through integrated activities.

1 comment:

  1. As someone who has taught with technology for a long time as well, I agree with your "timeline" of curriculum mapping for technology and integration. Technology really has to become a part of your teaching style in order for it to feel like a fluid part of your classroom instruction. The teacher in essence has to feel comfortable with the technology, and know its value.

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