Part of Technology in Education Essay Example

play songs on a CD player or videos as a reward for good behavior. However, I will still use technology as a form of reward. If my students remain focused, we can always utilize a projector to play some classic music films or games.

Rewards are an effective system for motivating children to achieve desired outcomes. Whether it be maintaining focus and minimizing distractions or making progress in a lesson that was initially challenging, technology serves as a valuable tool in this process. In addition to rewards, I plan to incorporate technology into my classroom to enhance instruction. For instance, if I had a smartboard in my music class, I could facilitate interactive learning by engaging students in music-themed games. It would be possible to create a staff and have my students actively participate by filling in notes or identifying note names.

Utilizing interactive and visual technology, combined with verbal guidance, can be beneficial for students who have varying learning preferences. Moreover, tablets have the potential to substitute paper in music-related activities, thereby conserving trees and preventing loss of musical materials. By supplying twenty tablets throughout the year and re-uploading music onto them, students can share instead of printing out twenty sheets of music for each student per class. Despite the initial expensive price tag of iPads, this approach ultimately results in long-term savings.

Not only are musical instruments used in music, but they also have various applications in the classroom. In elementary music classes, older students get the chance to learn about different musical instruments and actually play them. If the school cannot afford physical instruments, there are apps available that allow students to simulate

playing an instrument and hear its sound. As a future teacher, I am confident that by the time I start my career, there will be at least three new ways to incorporate technology into a music classroom that have not yet been implemented. When I was in school, I attended a small 1A school where all students from kindergarten to high school were located in one building.

In 1997, at a 1A school, there was a lack of technology. Teachers had their computers and a computer lab, but there were no projectors or televisions. In 1999, when my family relocated to Belton, I encountered an overhead projector for the first time. Although we now use slide projectors, the overhead projections with transparencies were a novelty to me. We employed them for mathematical problem-solving, such as drawing out pictures or working on TAAS questions. Additionally, we utilized them for sentence structures in reading and writing.

The most memorable moment was when we used augmented reality (AR) to learn our school song, Sparta Tigers. We had a computer specifically for AR testing in our classroom, while other computer activities were done in the computer lab. Back then, projectors were not used for screening movies. Whenever the librarian brought a television and video cassette recorder cart into our classroom for a film, we knew it was a special occasion. We loved watching school bus safety videos and other educational movies; it always brought joy to us elementary students.

In 2010, my schools were introducing advanced technologies like iPads, smartboards, and more. It was in high school when I first used a Mac at Belton High School. They had a technology class

focused on teaching students how to use cameras and make videos. This class went beyond the usual computer lab for research and had special high-end computers only for enrolled students.

Belton has recently incorporated technology into their education system by introducing a high school and middle school specifically focused on technology. This approach, known as blended learning, combines traditional classroom teaching with computer-based activities. Lisa Dabbs discusses this method in her blog post on edutopia.org (Dabbs, 2012).

Technology plays a crucial role in engaging students and improving their learning experience in the modern era. Blended learning, previously prevalent among older students at middle and high schools, is now becoming increasingly popular even in elementary schools. However, like any other educational method, blended learning has its own advantages and disadvantages. A major benefit is the chance it offers for collaborative learning, as students can communicate with each other and their teacher through online discussions, blogs, or instant messaging. While not all of these options may be suitable for young elementary students at present time, they can be integrated into their education in the future.

Enhancing accessibility enables students to conveniently access and utilize resources from any location, such as school or home. This empowerment allows for education beyond the classroom and fosters improved communication.

There are various methods of communication available, including educational games that can be played together online, emails, instant messaging, and checking grades online. This technological approach to teaching is also beneficial for evaluating students through online tests and assessments, suitable for all grade levels. In elementary school, it can resemble taking an AR test.

Sarah Bright from digitalchalk.com states that by creating a basic online test or

problem-solving page, educators can effectively track students' advancement in class. This method, known as blended learning, guarantees active participation and empowers learners to take charge of their own education. Additionally, since students possess diverse learning preferences, blending different approaches is more likely to meet their individual requirements. However, it is important to recognize the drawback of blended learning: its heavy reliance on technology.

To guarantee the efficiency of the technology being introduced to your children, it is crucial that it is both dependable and user-friendly for students of all ages. Moreover, it should cater to different levels of knowledge and abilities within your intended age group. Furthermore, it is essential that the technology remains up to date; utilizing obsolete equipment that will soon be replaced or is no longer in use will not facilitate their learning achievements.

Insufficient IT knowledge can hinder a child's learning ability, even if they are skilled in device usage. Without proper understanding, students may struggle to fully utilize the benefits available to them and miss out on key features. Additionally, blended learning can also have negative effects on student progress. Some students may opt to delay watching assigned videos and then watch them all at once instead of following a regular schedule. This approach can result in crucial knowledge gaps, and consecutive video viewing may also impair information retention.

Your brain has a limited capacity to absorb new information. Blended learning offers personalized learning, which is advantageous for students in multiple ways. Technology in education helps students identify the most effective learning methods that match their individual styles, enabling them to achieve success. As a result, students can advance at their own pace

and in a reasonable manner.

Students with dyslexia or ADHD may struggle to keep pace with their gifted and talented peers. Nonetheless, technology offers a remedy by enabling these students to learn at their own pace. Furthermore, schools can cut costs by incorporating technology in the classroom. For example, investing in iPads allows for the substitution of traditional textbooks with e-textbooks, leading to reduced expenses. Importantly, the Common Core State Standards highlight the importance of integrating technology in educational environments.

Despite Texas and Alaska choosing not to participate, change is inevitable. Technology plays a crucial role in educating the next generation by captivating students' attention, prolonging their engagement, boosting productivity, and nurturing a passion for electronic devices. Encouraging students to embrace technology offers numerous advantages as it prepares them for the future that lies ahead. Technology is an ever-evolving force that will persistently grow and enhance.

According to The National Math + Science Initiative blog, education has evolved beyond the act of memorizing facts and figures. It now entails collaborating with others, solving complex problems, developing various forms of communication and leadership skills, and enhancing motivation and productivity (Huneycutt, 2013). However, in my elementary music class, blended technology is not fully implemented. I believe that learning music requires hands-on experience, such as playing instruments and singing songs. Nevertheless, with younger students (kindergarten through second grade), incorporating apps and smartboard technology can be beneficial in teaching them the fundamentals of music, including note names, lines and spaces, and clefs.

As the youngest in the school, incorporating technology in my classroom will help keep the little ones focused and on task. I will use it as an incentive for more exciting

rewards, such as movies, special music, or games. Due to their short attention spans, it is challenging to make children focus. However, by combining a reward system and classroom technology, we can extend student engagement. The numerous advantages of adding technology to our classrooms convince me to support its use.

Nowadays, music classes utilize various new apps and sites. These tools cater to different needs such as helping users match pitch, learn scales, or even create their own music. When teaching elementary students, I find it advantageous to employ these apps individually with students who require additional assistance in grasping concepts. Additionally, interactive whiteboards are essential in my music class.

Having the ability to display a blank scale on a screen and allowing students to fill in the notes and staff would be an important educational tool. While not all students have access to technology at home for apps or iPads, having it in the classroom would greatly motivate them to enjoy learning and look forward to music class from a young age. In general, the use of technology in classrooms is increasingly common in today's society. Almost every class incorporates some form of technology, whether minimal or extensive, to provide hands-on learning resources for our students.

In every aspect, there are both rewards and challenges. It is crucial to understand the necessary technology and its application. Demonstrating the correct utilization of tools to students reflects their future success. To facilitate learning, my classroom will incorporate technologies such as videos, projectors, iPads, and interactive smart boards. I am eager to acquire the skills needed to effectively use any technology that will benefit my students, enabling them

to excel in the most advantageous way.

References

• Bright, S. (2014, May 15). Pros and Cons of Blended Learning Web log post. Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://www.digitalchalk.com/blog/pros-and-cons-of-blended-learning
• Clark, D. (2013). From Kindergarten to Kindergarten … My Years in Caruthers Hall. SUMagazine, 11-12. Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://www.salisbury.edu/publications/magazine/spring13/11_12_SUMag_DebC_Spring2013.pdf
• Dabbs, L. (2012, October 1).

Blended Learning: We Are All New Teachers Web log post. Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/blended-learning-getting-started-lisa-dabbs

Technology in the Classroom: The Benefits of Blended Learning Web log post. Retrieved April 27, 2016, from http://www.nms.org/Blog/TabId/58/PostId/188/technology-in-the-classroom-the-benefits-of-b

Periathiruvadi, S., & Rinn, A. N.

(2012). In the Journal of Research on Technology in Education, a review of best practices and empirical research found that technology is important in gifted education. The article is titled "Technology in gifted education: A review of best practices and empirical research" and it was written by an unknown author. The findings suggest that technology can enhance the education of gifted individuals. The article is 45(2) pages long and the page numbers are 153-169.