Tech Task #7 - Academic Research

Tech Task #7

Article:

 Technology in Today’s Classroom: Are You a Tech-Savvy Teacher? Stephanie Diamond-Hicks

Overview: 

Technology has changed and improved the way teachers are able to teach. This article discusses the good things technology can bring to the classroom and also touches on where technology in education could go, as well as some tips for technology.

Research Questions: 

1) What are 21st Century students? What can we do to connect with them in the modern classroom.

2) Are all teachers on board? What kind of resistance is forming among those among the resistance?

3) What are the benefits of using technology in the classroom? What are some strategies the author mentions?

4) What is a the new kind of teacher they refer to in the article? What can we do to make sure we stay with the times?

Conduction of Study:

This study is conducted through discussing research of other peer reviewed journals and the statistics provided from those articles inform the authors posting. 

Principal Findings:

The new group of students or “digital natives” or the “net generation” and this group needs to incorporate the technology to enrich their learning experience. There is a resistance by some teachers incorporating technology in the classroom, mainly the appearance of looking foolish to their students as the students have grown up with the technology and are much more sufficient in that area. Overall, there are many things we can do to improve the use of technology, but best practice is to try a few things, be patient and if they don’t work, try another approach. We also shouldn’t be afraid to ask students to assist in the lesson, their expertise can help everyone relate to the lesson and will help your students connect. 

Reference:

Diamond-Hicks, Septhanie. Technology in Today’s Classroom: Are You a Tech-Savvy Teacher?  The Clearing House Vol. 84, No. 5 (2011), pp. 188-191 (4 pages)