Traditional Vs. Integrated Technology Classroom
Today’s classrooms are vastly different from classrooms of two decades ago. Unlike the traditional classroom that mainly used textbooks, chalkboards, and paper and pencils--the relics of generations for learning and teaching, integrated technology classrooms use tools such as laptop computers, DVD-players, MP3 players, cellphones, email and other technologies for learning as well as teaching.
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Trends in Classroom Types
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Traditional classrooms are not extinct, but integrated technology classrooms are increasing. According to Technology Counts 2010, a report by the Education Week website, 47 percent of all elementary school districts and 53 percent of all secondary school districts in the United States offer online curricula to students. Similarly, the report also states that 87 percent of all elementary school districts and 95 percent of all secondary school districts provide access to electronic administrative tools to teachers.
Implications for Learning
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While integrated technology classrooms open up the world of information via the Internet, traditional classrooms limit learning to the classroom resources.
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Implications for Teaching
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Traditional classroom teachers provide instruction within the classroom or school boundaries. In these classrooms, teachers often communicate with parents and students via phone or written notes. In integrated technology classrooms, teachers can use live streaming videos, instead of giving lectures, to enhance their instruction and improve student engagement in the classroom. Also, classroom teachers can use various tools such as web chats and emails to provide feedback to students as well as parents.
Implications for Schools
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Traditional classrooms did not involve issues of monitoring Internet usage for districts, whereas in today’s digital schools, districts must monitor the access of Internet sites by its users--teachers and students alike. According to the Technology Counts 2010 report, the percentage of U.S. public school districts with written policies on acceptable student use is 88 percent for cellphones, 72 for MP3 players/iPods, 52 for wikis and/or blogs, 76 for social media, 84 for email and 92 for other Internet use.
Noteworthy Trends Across States
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States receiving a grade of “A” in the use of technology category, according to Technology Counts 2009, include Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah and West Virginia. Yet, the report also indicates that only South Dakota and West Virginia maintain their “A” grades from the previous year for access to technology for students.
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References
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- Photo Credit Jack Hollingsworth/Photodisc/Getty Images
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Comments
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If I had my way I would outlaw calculators for everyone under the age of 21.
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It is well understood that technology has its place in the classroom. But the unfettered use of mp3s, ipods, earbuds, etc, during instruction having nothing to do with the subject matter at hand are leading us down the NAEPs nightmarish road to scholarly oblivion.
