Reflective Blogging Post #1

1. What were some of the factors that played a role in ensuring positive results when technology was integrated in the classroom?

There are three factors to keep positive results of using technology in class.

First, the technology used in the classroom has to fit the goal of the class.  In Besnoy and Clarke’s article, we find that students enjoyed reading by using technology. If the content of the class is “increasing students’ interests in reading” then it is a very positive result of using PDA. However, if the goal of this class is “improving students’ reading ability” then it is not successful.  When teachers choose a new technology, the technology has to fit the goal of this class.

Second, appropriate monitoring is necessary. Students like using technology, and many of them are good at technology. However, they are get use to using technology for chatting and playing games online. For this reason, teachers have to make sure that students are using technology to study rather than playing games.

Third, teachers’ regular training. Technology updates every day. In order to keep positive results when technology is used in the classroom, teachers have to get regular training. It can make sure teachers get all updated information of new useful technology, and it will help teachers to use technology in a more effective way.

2. What are ways that you can, in your own setting (or for those not currently in a classroom, in your future setting), ensure that these factors are present or absent? (Be specific to your situation; do not make general statements.)

I’m not currently in a classroom, but I’m sure I will use technology in my future settings.

First, I think I will design a lesson plan to set some specific goals of my lesson. Then I will try to find a kind technology could be used which fit my teaching purpose most. For example, if I’m going to teach writing, I probably chose to use “Blog” in teaching. I could use it as a strategy to help students get peer responses.

Second, I think I will try to get supports from the technology department in my school. I will ask for their help to limit students’ using of technology in class. Students will freely use the technology which related to the lesson, but the function of chatting and palying games will be limited.

Third, I hope the school I’m going to work for will have regular training for me. If there are no supports from school, I think plenty of useful resources could be found online to help me keep my teaching technology updated.

3. How would you go about evaluating the success of a unit, lesson, etc., that involved the integration of new technology?

I think the evaluation of success integration of new technology could include three aspects:

First, a good technology should be easy-to-use. Time for lecture is limited. The time supposed to be spent on content teaching will be occupied by technology instruction, if the technology is very hard to use. This is a kind of waste of time.

Second, whether a new technology is successful, should be evaluated by students. If students are interested in the new technology they will pay more attention to the class, and that is what teachers want. If a new technology is even boring than traditional teaching it is better to be gave up.

Third, a good new technology has to be very useful which is evaluated by teachers. If the technology fit the lesson content and teachers could teach easily by using the technology. It would be a successful technology.

4. Finally, what could you do to disseminate successes and failures to your colleagues, administrators, and school board members? 

I think most schools have routine conferences, and these conferences could be a nice chance to share these successful and failure experiences with all colleagues. I also think sending emails to colleagues when some urgent failures happen are necessary. In a school district, creating a “group” online by Skype or other software would be helpful, especially for new teachers. All teachers could be categorized by the programs they are teaching.  Teachers could share interesting teaching experiences, and searching successful strategies from their colleagues in the group.