Integrating Technology into the Classroom – Still Important Topic
Diana Williams and Michele Johnson
Arkansas State University
USA
dwilliam@astate.edu
rmjohnson@astate.edu
Abstract: Integrating technology into the K-12 classroom is very important in today’s world. No
longer are students able to succeed in the “real” world without some type of technological
knowledge. This means that teachers have to have the skills to integrate technology into the
classroom. This presentation will show the audience how to integrating technology into the
classroom to enhance curriculum. The software that will be utilized are Microsoft Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, Expressions, Photostory as well as tools available on the Internet.
Introduction
Using technology in the classroom can be a complex thing. Many people think that if you know technology
than you can use it in the classroom. Crossing the bridge from knowing technology to integrating it to enhance the
classroom is not always an easy bridge to cross. The connection does not occur automatically. In order to use
technology effectively in a classroom it is necessary to understand what educational technology is and then
understand how to use is as an integral part of education. Some people focus on the newest high-tech toys that are
available and forget the older ones are as valuable and sometimes more valuable. Teachers need to be comfortable
and have a solid understanding in order for them to effectively use technology in their own setting. Regardless of
whether they are using tools that are new or tools that have been around awhile, it is necessary to integrate
effectively and efficiently and not just use for the sake of ‘using.’
What is Educational Technology
Teachers Using Technology
In schools today, there is so much that the teacher needs to accomplish every day that he or she is grateful
for any help available. Technology can make the teacher’s job more efficient if the teacher makes effective use of
tools available. Some teachers have commercially created gradebooks that help make the tedious job of keeping the
grades easier. However, not all commercially made gradebooks are easy or effective, and some teachers do not have
access to one. A teacher can create a gradebook using a spreadsheet program. Creating her/his own gradebook may
be time-consuming at first; however, it will be more effective and how more power in the long-run. It will also make
calculating grades much less time-consuming. However, Spreadsheets can be used for more than gradebooks. They
can be used to compare data. Many teachers are unaware how to use spreadsheets beyond gradebooks.
Today, teachers send newsletters home to parents, but if it is not an effective newsletter, parents may never
bother to read it. Teachers may know how to use Microsoft Word to write a paper, but they may not know how to
design an effective newsletter using Word.
By using the Internet, the teacher has a massive amount of resources available to them. A teacher can find
all kinds of lesson plans, grants, research, directions, etc. By searching beyond the obvious, teachers can find a
treasure trove to use. Plus, many schools are requiring their teachers to create and maintain Webpages for both
student and parent use. There are numerous websites that allow teachers to create materials that tap into student’s
strengths such as digital stories or interactive activities.
Using all these tools (and more) give teachers a great deal of power and makes them much more effective.
These tools allow teachers to focus on true learning.
Students Using Technology
Using technology as a tool to help teachers teach is not the only way technology should be used. However,
there are many things that should be considered before using it. The three most important things are 1) is it
appropriate 2) is it effective and 3) is it efficient. When dealing with the first issue, it is important to remember that
using technology for the sake of using technology is inappropriate. PowerPoint can be use appropriately and
inappropriately. Trying to teach a Pre-K student using PowerPoint is an inappropriate and ineffective use of the
software. However, presenting information in an 8 th grade English class or having students in a 5 th grade class create
a presentation, is a more effective use of the software.
Spreadsheets can be an appropriate tool in all classrooms as well depending on how they are used.
Obviously, a teacher should never ask a first grader to create a spreadsheet. However, a spreadsheet can be used as a
means to show comparisons. If the teacher has created a template containing the structure needed with all the
formulas, functions and graphs in tact, then the students put in the numbers and can immediately see a comparison.
The Internet is a useful tool for students as well as teachers. Most individuals know basic sites to use. There
are a massive number of sites that can help students learn, participate in activities, or practice skills in a fun way.
The sites used should be purposeful and not just “play-time” or the Internet becomes ineffectual. There are websites
whose purpose is to inspire students to write creatively. There are sites designed to practice specific spelling words.
There are sites that have multiple on-line websites that are developmentally appropriate for each child.
Using software in the classroom can have a great deal of power in the classroom. As long as the software,
regardless of whether it is commercially produced or teacher-created, is used to enhance a lesson, the software can
make learning robust. Research states that if learning is made real to students, it is more effective. Educational
Software can make learning real.
What Pre-Service Teachers Need to Learn
As stated previously, learning how to use the technology is only part of what is necessary to know. It seems
like if people know how to technology that they would be able to implement it in any environment. However, this
does not seem to be the case. Consequently, pre-service teachers not only need to learn how to use the technology,
they need to learn the way to use it in the classroom.
There are specific design principles that are involved in creating materials appropriate for Education. When creating
materials in each of these areas, students must learn these principles while they create projects using the various
technologies
Newsletters
Most, if not all, students know how to use a word processor to write papers. However, that does not mean
they know the proper way to construct a newsletter that parents would pay attention to. Nor does it mean that they
can come up with alternate ways of using word processing to enhance lessons. By using software programs such as
Microsoft Word teachers can create appropriate newsletters that are attractive and informative so parents will be
able to stay informed.
Spreadsheets
Obviously, Spreadsheets can be used in science. Clearly, students can create spreadsheets using formulas
and functions. However, that is not the only way students can use spreadsheets. Spreadsheets can be used with any
age. Spreadsheets are a good way to help students understand relationships. Teachers can focus on the comparison
aspect of spreadsheets. Even with young children, teachers can discuss comparisons. By focusing on the lesson and
creating the spreadsheet in such a way that students can insert data and not worry about what a spreadsheet is or how
to construct one is one way teachers can use spreadsheets in their classroom. That way the students focuses on the
information the teacher wants them to center on and not concentration on the spreadsheet itself
Teachers can have their students price items in different grocery stores over time and put their data in a
template. This template would build the comparisons in order for students to understand the effects time of year can
affect prices. Early childhood teachers can teach a lesson that focuses on colors, counting, basic understanding of
averages through the use of M&M’s. The students count the colors of the M&M’s from several bags and put their
numbers in the spreadsheet. The results make the information real to the students.
Mid-level and secondary teachers can have their students keep up with their own grades by creating a
template for each student and then have the students fill in their own grades. This not only saves the teacher time
and energy, but teaches students about ownership and responsibility.
Web Pages and Using the Internet
Most people use the Internet on a daily basis. However, that does not mean they know what all is truly
available out in cyberspace for them to be able to use with students. Pre-service teachers need to discover the vast
resources that are available to them. If they are not required to find them, they will not take the time nor energy to do
so.
As stated previously, many teachers are now required to create and maintain Webpages. Teachers must
learn to create effective WebPages. Like with other technologies, teachers need to learn what is involved in creating
these materials using proper instructional design principles. Using a program such as Microsoft Expressions,
teachers can create effective WebPages that can keep both parents and students up-to-date on what is occurring in
the school and in the teacher’s classroom. Parents and students can also get to know the teacher on a more personal
level if the teacher chooses to put personal information on their Webpage such as hobbies, family, books they would
like to read, are reading, or have read in the past, etc. Having a Webpage also allows the teacher to hyperlink
appropriate website for students. This will save time in the classroom because students will not have to search for
information it will already be available to them. As stated previously, there are numerous sites that students can use
to improve skills, inspire creativity or learn new things. There are free software available as well as free
downloadable software that enhance learning in this digital age.
Electronic Presentations
Many individuals believe that programs like PowerPoint are the ultimate answer to educational technology.
There are times when using PowerPoint is appropriate and times when it is not. Pre-service teachers need to learn
when to use this type of technology. There are many aspects to creating an effective PowerPoint presentation that
most people do not know how to do. Using custom animations, allow presenters to make a more effective
presentation allowing the audience to focus on specific aspects of the presentation. By using custom animations and
dimmer, the information is given power.
There are other unconventional ways you can use PowerPoint; you can hyperlink websites and even
individual slides, add sound, add movies, add animated graphics, and even create your own book.
Conclusion
Education technology is not just important in a PK-12 classroom it is essential in today’s world. This
presentation will not only discuss the importance of education technology it will show the different ways to
incorporate the individual technologies discussed. Participants will be shown materials created by pre-service and
in-service teachers and will be given ideas on a variety of activities and ideas that could be used effectively in the
classroom.