Integrating Technology

Integrating Technology

Tammie Ferretiz

March 29, 2010

Cassundra Flemister-White

Introduction to Teaching and Learning

Integrating technology into the classroom is seems to be becoming mandatory. Technology is used everywhere, even in the classrooms. Students everywhere have learned to integrate technology in their assignments. Teachers have integrated technology into their lesson plans.

Integrating technology into the language arts classroom is a great idea. Students are able to get a better understanding of the concepts of language arts and view opinions of other classrooms while doing so. Publishing student’s works of writing on the Internet can make the idea of audience much more real to students. In my opinion, students seem to want to put more effort in their assignments, because they know that their work is being posted for others to see. Many of the websites are offering contests for the students, so that they can feel more challenged. I have noticed that when students feel more challenged, they tend to work harder to meet all of their academic requirements. Online discussion boards are a great way for students to communicate with other students. This gives them a better idea and a wider view of what other students are doing. They are getting better ideas and integrate those ideas into their own studies. Students can discuss each other's writing and pieces of literature from class. The discussion boards are a great way to get the students in the mood to write and learn. They are fun for them and keep them motivated.

Integrating technology into language arts or any other classroom can be a very challenging task for the teachers and the students. One of the challenges that they may face is the fact that not all students are familiar with the computer. Some students don’t have access to the internet and this can lead to serious problems for the teachers. It can make them get backed up on the lesson plans, because they have to make sure that each child understands what is being taught. Another challenge that students face is not having access to the internet. Some students are not prepared financially for the whole technology concept. One way that we can help those students is to provide more places that they can go to use the internet, such as libraries and community centers. These should be places that are free of charge for internet access, so that each student can get the understanding they need.

Computers are already installed in many classroom, teachers that do not have computers in their classroom should put in request that they are installed for the students. Teachers could allow the students to access games on the internet that allows each student to practice their particular assignment. I have found that students also learn while having fun. Fun activities are a great way to motivate the students to learn.

Allowing students to use PowerPoint or other presentation software is a good way to help them better organize their speeches and add multimedia elements to their presentations. It also makes it easier for audience to follow along with the presenter and for the teacher to assess a student's performance. PowerPoint is a great tool for students to use in their speeches and by using PowerPoint; they are becoming more familiar with the computer and practicing their speeches in front of an audience. Technology allows students to use a wide range of newspaper

and magazine articles. By having access to these articles, they are getting a better understanding and a wide range of references.

It is possible for all teachers to integrate technology into the curriculum. They need to make sure that each child has the

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