How+technology+is+used+in+classrooms+today

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As new technologies reshape the skills and understandings students need in this 21st century to compete in a global society, we must begin the exposure and training in the classroom. Technology is now used in the classroom to inform and deliver instruction. In a study conducted by Teresa A. Summers and Richard P. Vlosky, both professors at Louisiana State University indicated that faculty and students prefer a combination of traditional and computer-based technoloogy in the classroom. They also believed technology in the classroom is very important to student's future access in the job market.

Given this premise, the uses of technology is unlimited. Lets begin with the use in the early childhood education classroom. According to an article published In Journal of Technology Integration in the Classroom,September 2010, technology can be used in areas of social and emotional development. The article states the use of computers as early as age three can encourgae positive affects and social interaction among children and increase levels of spoken communication and cooperation during computer time. It is important for children to understand the four levels of reading, phonology, semantics, syntax and pragmatics to become good readers. Research shows the use of computers in the area of language developemnt can encourage longer and more complex speech and developement of fluency as well as increased written language. With the use of images, visual layouts, color, sound, and movement, children are given the experiences with language in multiple ways.

As a Special Educator in Middle School, I am finding the uses of technology in the classroom to be very effective. For example, students in my Social Studies class, recently completed a project on China where they were given laptops in the classroom to research information on China and find supporting pictures and create a booklet. They were given a template and specific intructions on what the booklet should contain. The majority of the students were engaged, focus and able to work independently to complete the project. It was evident that they were retaining more information about China and enjoying the experience. Other uses in the classroom for middle grades may be computer-instructed lessons, where students are given the opportunity to read tutotials and complete assignments on line. Students can use word processing, spreadsheets, database, and multimedia for assignments in all subject areas.

Students in High School and beyond can use technology from an application perspective. The experiences they have in the classroom can be used in real life situations. For example, completing an employment application on line for a job, participating in podcasts and blogs, downloading teacher lectures, audio books and videos. Students can create webpages, online talk radio, wiki pages and ellunimate sessions. These uses are not limited to high school students and beyond, however, the level of use should be appropriate for the intended audience.

As educators we now have access to interactive whiteboards, content management systems, handhelds, laptops,palm pilots and many other technology devices to assist in the classroom instruction. How technology is used in the classroom is not the question, but "How will you use technology in your classroom?". As stated in an article by Charlene O'Hanlon in T.H.E. Journal, Resistance is Futile, "they better get to movin' because the train isn't waiting for them'. She adds and I must agree," students must be the driving force of instruction".

Technology is used in the twenty-first century classroom in many useful ways to help students excell in our highly technological society. Most classrooms today are eqipped with desk top computers for student and teacher use, with large video monitors for excellent student viewing. Music technology is also incorporated into classrooms which help create a relaxing learning environment for students. Microphones can be used as well as a tool for communication to assist the teacher with voice controll. These tools can be especially useful for teachers in special education-which help to create a easier learning environment for students with special needs. As a future special education teacher I will find these technology tools very useful for me and my future students. Technology will also serve as excellent learning tools for me as I become a more experienced teacher today and for the future twenty-first century classroom.

Technology has evolved tremendously over the past decade. It helps students connect in ways that are far beyond the traditonal learning settings.Many of the traditonal classroom settings were basic and with limited technology to engage students. Unlike the classrooms of today, they are loaded with lots of gadgets and devices that makes learning easier in the 21st century.