Educators should capitalize on students’ interest in technology to tailor instruction to individuals. Students shouldn’t have to “power down” or feel demotivated when they come to school (Prensky, 2001, p. 3). Schools do not all have access to the same resources, but regardless of the available tools, the primary role of a technology integration specialist is still to teach. They must be prepared to work with both students and educators in order to implement technology effectively and prepare students for learning in the 21st century. According to Harven (2014), technology integration specialists must also be prepared to "start changing habits and thinking about learning in a way that is a little more independent and self-directed." Technology integration specialists must have a vision for the future and support teachers as education shifts in this forward-thinking direction (Harven 2014).
References
Harven, M. (2014). The Changing Role of the Technology Integration Specialist. Retrieved from http://edtechtimes.com/2014/10/30/new-technology-integration-specialist/
Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants. Retrieved September 12, 2014, from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/
Great post! I love your comment about capitalizing on students' interest in technology. This is a great way to help motivate students, especially if it is subject or topic the student does not especially like or care for. Technology should be able to be embedded, effectively, into the curriculum to help enhance learning for students. Technology integration specialists can be a great asset for this.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both of you. Technology is a great way to tap into students' interests. Sometimes, even the simplest use of technology can engage students more than you'd expect. Even when I do small things, like let students use educational apps on their phones or answer questions on Poll Everywhere instead of on a piece of paper, it is clear that they appreciate and enjoy it.
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