INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY IN THE ELEMENTARY CLASSROOM

Miriam P. Rodríguez

TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION

TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATORS

Technology is an integral part of education.

Teachers need to know how to use the technology in their classroom.

WHAT IS INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY?

“Technology is commonly thought of in terms of gadgets, instruments, machines and devices … ” (Muffoletto, 1994)

DEFINING INSTRUCTIONAL DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (IDT) “The field of instructional design encompasses the

analysis of learning and performance problems, and the design, development, implementation, evaluation and management of instructional and non-instructional processes and resources intended to improve learning and performance in a variety of settings, particularly educational institutions and the workplace” (Reiser & Dempsey, 2012).

SUNSHINE ELEMENTARY

Teachers feel ill prepared to use technology that is available in the classroom.

New staff is not trained on software used by campus.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN!

The current problem began two years ago when almost half of the teachers at Sunshine Elementary transferred to other districts.

Eleven new teachers were hired.

Six of the eleven teachers had no prior teaching experience.

SCHOOL’S STRENGTHS

Supportive Staff Some software

programs can be installed at home

Lack of resources that address required concepts

New Tech Liaison Constant Software

Upgrade

SCHOOL’S WEAKNESSES

CURRENT STRATEGY Send teachers to

workshops Open Lab Online learning

modules

FUTURE STRATEGY

Change the role of the technology committee

Open lab will address teacher questions on the software in their classroom.

SPECIFIC PROBLEM

A new work force that is not properly trained on all the available software.

ALTERNATIVES Complete online modules at home. Bring in help from the district level on a monthly

basis to help address questions about software use.

CONCLUSION

Teachers must receive additional support to prepare themselves to use the technology they have while staying abreast of any changes they might encounter along the way.

REFERENCES Bellow, A. S. (Producer). (2009, May 15). A brief history of

technology in education [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJ0nlh5FU5A

EducationWeek. (Producer). (2009, August 26). Paul Sanfrancesco: Training teachers on the use of new technology [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=paul+sanfrancesco+training&aq=f

Google Images. (2012). Images from Google images. Muffoletto, R. & Knupfer, N. N. (Ed.). (1993). Computers in

education: Social, political, and historical perspectives. New Jersey: Hampton Press.

Nesbitt, B. (Producer). (2007, November 12). A vision of K-12 students today [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8

Reiser, R. & Dempsey, J. V. (2012). Trends and issues in instructional design and technology (3rd ed.). Boston, Massachusetts: Allyn & Bacon.