You have three kinds of teachers: those who use every electronic gadget in their classrooms, even if the gadgets don’t enhance the learning, those who judiciously use technology in the classroom to support their lessons, and those who don’t even own a remote control.
It’s common to hear teachers in the lounge talk about how they don’t have time to learn a new piece of software, they don’t know how to use it in the classroom, and they don’t have money in the budget for it, anyway. And who has the time to teach yet another thing during the school day?
“Don’t get too enamored with one technology and don’t get too frustrated with one technology. Choose technologies in education that are low risk, low cost, low time,” Indiana University professor of Instructional Systems Technology Curt Bonk said.
Bonk recently gave an online seminar to educators for Inside the School titled The Perfect E-Storm: Emerging Technologies and Erased Budgets. His seminar reviewed ways teachers can use technology to teach students while staying within a budget.
The four topics he reviewed were emerging technology, escalating demands, erased budgets and enhanced teaching. All of the topics can offer responsive classroom rules.
When implementing emerging technologies Bonk is surprised more educators are not using social web sites to teach in their classes.
“Only 2% of teachers are using micro-blogging in their classroom yet a large percent are using them personally,” Bonk said.
There are several reasons educators might not be using technology in their lesson plans. Some might be set in their ways, the technology isn’t available or maybe they just don’t have the patience to learn. Whatever the reason, Bonk recommends being persistent and not giving up.
“It’s the technology side that gets people frustrated. Once you understand [the new technologies], you can integrate them in a thoughtful way,” Bonk said.
The benefit of classroom technology integration is that teachers can reach more students and help them be successful. Bonk said that many are visual learners that may benefit greatly from watching video clips and browsing the internet.
“There are many web sites that bring in video to enhance teaching such as Wikipedia and You Tube. Google Sky is an example of visual learning,” Bonk said.
Not only is technology helpful to some students but soon it may be mandatory as well. Bonk discussed some examples where digital learning is already here or on the way. By 2010 all the schools in South Korea will have all of their books digitally he said. The accepted classroom rule ideas are changing as fast as the technology.
“California has started an initiative to enter the digital book world. As California goes – so goes the rest of the country,” Bonk said.
The new technology of e-books can also save schools money by cutting back on text books. E-books are already being offered to consumers. Companies are already offering the Nook, Screen Reader and Kindle to schools.
Consumers want the new reading devices, but the millennial generation expects them. The students’ world is online and a few states have risen to meet their students 21st century needs.
“Florida, Utah, Michigan and Wisconsin are already starting to offer high school courses online. Look at Florida Virtual School, it has exploded. Places in Michigan are now requiring 20 hours of digital courses to graduate,” Bonk said.
Even if legislators aren’t mandating online technology use, Bonk said there are many reasons why we’ll see more e-learning. A cooperative learning plan involving technology in the classroom may soon be a common practice.
“There’s a plethora of reasons why students select online learning. Kids in other countries want their kids to have a U.S education. Students in sports, students with disabilities, students that want drama or a foreign language (will use technology),” Bonk said. “Imagine having a sick student that can stream a lesson. Areas like rural Alaska can become connected.”
Online education makes it affordable for small schools to offer students a wider range of classes. But there’s still not a lot left in the budget to purchase equipment. Bonk believes you can’t just blame the decreases for not integrating technology.
“Most online resources are free. Stimulus money may be helping to some degree but it’s state to state. Some schools are hurting, some are doing OK,” Bonk said.
Even if a school’s budget is limited, existing computers and Internet access can help save more money than they cost. Online access can help with reduced field trip, textbook and testing supply budgets.
“If the budget no longer allows you to visit the battle field at Gettysburg you can view it online and learn about it online. You can bring in experts from Antarctica to talk to the class via texting. You can follow a [dog] musher traveling through the North Pole. The students will be engaged and excited,” Bonk said.
Students can receive an economic lesson plan from a world respected economist or an earth lesson plan from a scientist in the rain forest.
Ultimately technology gives the students choices. Whatever people think about technology in the classroom, Bonk said it only matters to the individual.
“Technology lets kids grow at the rate they want to grow. They aren’t held back anymore,” he said.
