Technology Integration in Education - Literature review Example

Technology Integration in Education According to this source, the term and aspect of technology integration in education at the very least refers to the employment and use of technology such as mobile phones, computer, digital cameras, and hand-held mobile devices in classrooms. This is to say that the process of education or accumulation of learning would be aided and made easy by the use of internet, and other computer based applications. It also postulates the tenets that would encompass and constitute proper technological integration of a teacher and the classroom. The very instance and situation where a tutor or a teacher introduces various tools such that a student would have variety and benefit of choice to choose from on a constant basis (www.edutopia). Subsequently, this source goes further to give instances where the teachers graduated from the use of blackboards to the continued use of digital boards and computers. If the classroom has only one computer, then the whole attempt and logic of technological integration would be defeated. This is so because the students would not have the benefit of variety and choice of technological tools-computer in this respect. It is important to note and mention that this source posits that technological integration must be interactive and engaging (www.edutopia). At the tail end, the benefits of technology must represent and be enjoyed by both the learners and the tutors in an uninterrupted manner and approach. In retrospect this source mentions that technology would be termed as effective when the learners are able to access technological tools in a timely manner. Roles of integrating technology in education Accordingly, this source mentions that technology as a principle or a tenet has become part and parcel of the human life and thus it would be difficult to separate the aspects of technology from the human life. Therefore, it has become mandatory and critical to intergrate and conjoin technology into the learning syllabus and curriculum of learners. It also records that the integration and involvement of educational principles ought to be done as a continuous and gradual thing and not as once-in-a while affair. Instead, this source mentions that technology should form basis of the learning curriculum because of the obvious benefits that technology bears to the society (www.educationworld.com). Subsequently, technology should be viewed and gauged as a tool that would be used to enhance the body of knowledge of the learners. Tentatively, the learning experts and trainers should device ways and means through which the educational process would use technology such that students and the learners do not lose interest and focus in other subjects. As a caution, this text posits that the trainers and teachers themselves have difficulties and problems with technology themselves. Thus, by extension it becomes a challenge and a difficulty for the teachers to effectively the students using the technological tenets and principles (www.educationworld.com). As a way forward in a way of intuition it records that the teachers and trainers must themselves find time and effort to learn about the use and operations of technological tools as a concept before they extend the same knowledge to the students and learners. Benefits of technology in education In principle, this text posits that technology as a topic and notion is beneficial to the lives and learning experience of the students. This stems from the fact that the world of today is enjoined in the pursuit of technology and all the related improvements. Therefore, it would be mandatory or some form of a compulsory affair to expose the students in the line of technology and acquiring it. Tied to the same line of thought and reasoning, it records that technology has become part of the human life and it would be in the best interest to embrace it and join technology to the line of education (Buntin, Beeuwkes, et al 467). It gives the example of the spread and near monopoly dominance of the social media and the kind of exposure that the social media gives to the learners. In principle, it is incumbent upon the educational experts and policy makers to design the process and evolution of technology such that it blends with the changing times. Intuitively, it mentions and records that integration of technology in the educational field is critical since it would be a creation of more employment opportunities in the future of the learners. By allusion it mentions the ease and speed of computation that a student would be able to do with the help of technology such as in mathematics. The amount of time and energy saved would then be directed to other things in the learning process of the students. As a matter of and principle, this source is express that the benefits of education and technology. Types of technology integration in education This specific source is articulate that there are several means, ways, types and modes of integrating technology as a whole to the whole human life. From the outset, it mentions that there are various ways and means of integrating technology from the traditional and classical meanings and intuitions. To begin with, there is the perspective and perception of online or virtual classroom. Expressly, it mentions the situation and circumstance where the learners meet their tutors through computer or web-based applications (Teo, 306). A practical instance and implication in this respect and line of thought is the use of video conferencing and skype. The second instance and type is the use of game-based learning aids such as simulations. The source is then quick to add that there are many importance of incorporating simulations since they are visual aids and enhancements. This mode would be blended and joined with the workable and actionable practical resources. The next type and mode is the learning with mobile or hand-held devices such as cellphones, tablets, mp3 players and computers. However, the author is quick to record and articulate the fact that such learning aids in the field of technology could be a source of huge distraction to the students and learners (Teo, 309). As a way forward, it mentions that tutors and trainers ought to take a lot of care and attention in order to ensure that the students remain focused and grounded on the work being done. Lastly, there is the web-based projects such as research and exploration where the teachers aid children to employ and use technology. Levels of technology integration in education The author in this text is express and articulate to highlight the various levels of technological integration in the learning process and instance. To begin with there is the first instance and level which is referred to as the sparse level of technological integration in the learning process. It goes further to mention and posit that technology is least and rarely used and is an unavailable. Relatively, it is specific that the students and learners employ less technological acumen and exposure to complete their projects and assignments (Brill and Galloway, 96). The second level is the basic level of technological integration whereby the primary and necessary technological tools are only installed in critical places such as laboratory. In this instance and line of thought, the students become comfortable with the primary tools and would at time use such skills to complete their projects or assignments. Chronologically, the next step is the comfortable technology where the learners and students interact with technology on a fairly normal and regular basis. These source records that this stage, the students are comfortable with several technological tools regularly used in the learning process (Brill and Galloway, 99). The next stage and level is the seamless stage where the student is well versed and equipped with the ability to effectively use technology on their day to day running. At the tail end, the learners would exhibit and show a deep content and understanding of the technological materials and concepts. Works cited Buntin, Melinda Beeuwkes, et al. "The benefits of health information technology: a review of the recent literature shows predominantly positive results." Health affairs 30.3 (2011): 464-471. Brill, Jennifer M., and Chad Galloway. "Perils and promises: University instructors’ integration of technology in classroom‐based practices." British Journal of Educational Technology 38.1 (2007): 95-105. Teo, Timothy. "Modelling technology acceptance in education: A study of pre-service teachers." Computers & Education 52.2 (2009): 302-312. http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech146.shtml http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-guide-description Read More