This document outlines the benefits of integrating technology into the classroom. It discusses how technology can help students acquire 21st century skills, increase motivation and collaboration, and boost achievement test scores. The document also stresses that technology enhances the four key components of learning: active engagement, group participation, frequent feedback, and real-world connections. For teachers and students to reap these benefits, the document argues that technology must be properly integrated across the curriculum, teachers need ongoing professional development, and students require ample practice time with the technologies.

1. Benefits of Technology
In the Classroom
By Lisa Sprehe

2. Periods of Technology
• Pre-Microcomputer Era
• Microcomputer Era
• Mobile Technologies

3. Cannot Hide/Need to Embrace
• Technology is everywhere you turn!
• It is in the workplace, school, home, etc.
• Technology can help more than hinder – just
need to accept it!

4. Benefits
• Help students acquire skills needed to survive
in a highly technological knowledge based
economy
• Motivation
• Collaboration with peers
• Increase in student self esteem
• Higher scores on student achievement tests
• Great tool for Assessment

5. Benefits Video
• http://www.youtube.com/embed/GNbLVIDvjr
o

6. Four Key Components of Learning
• 1. Active engagement
• 2. Participation in groups
• 3. Frequent interaction and feedback
• 4. Connection to real world experts
• Technology enhances all four of these
Components

7. Needed Everyday
• Must be integrated throughout the curriculum
• Must be taught every day
• Sporadic use of technology will not get the job
done

8. Professional Development
• Teachers need to be properly trained on how
to implement technology and how to make
sure they are optimizing it in the classrooms
• Once a year is not enough.
• The more teachers practice with technology,
the more comfortable they will become in
implementing it.

9. Time to practice
• Students need to have teachers model for
them how to use the technology
• The students also need amble opportunities
to practice that specific skill before being
assessed on it.
• If this is not done then technology in the
classroom will not be successful

10. References
• Ed Reform. Studies effects of technology on classrooms and students.
Retrieved from
• http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReformStudies/EdTech/effectsstudents.html
• Edutopia Staff. (2008). Why integrate technology into the classroom?: The
reasons are
• many. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-
introduction
• Honey, M. (2001). Testimony and statement for the record of Margaret
Honey. Retrieved
• from http://cct.edc.org/admin/publications/speeches/testimony_lhe01.p
df
• Roblyer, M.D., & Doering A. H. (2013). Integrating educational technology
into
• teaching. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Publishing.