What Does Technology Integration Look Like?

Today, many districts are going 1:1 with device deployment, and some teachers truly believe that sitting their students in front of those devices with a computer assisted learning application is integration.  Others think that uploading PDF documents for students to fill out digitally is integration, but a worksheet is still a worksheet, and drill and skill is still drill and skill.  So, if these examples are NOT integration, what is true integration?

Students are arriving to our campuses with more knowledge in their pockets than all of the books in the library.  Is it really important that our students be able to rattle off multiplication facts or historical dates and times?  Yes, that is needed information, but do YOU use it in your everyday life, or is it something you REFER to when required?   We need to be supplying students with real tools that will help them be responsible for their own learning, as well as be able to solve real problems, not just have them memorize facts and figures.  So, how do we integrate?

Seamless Use of Devices

First of all, students should not be able to determine that there is a “technology time” in the classroom.  Devices should be utilized just like paper and pencils for student use.  Students should be able to take out their devices when needed, instead of the teacher planning an entire lesson around using them  Do you plan when you will use your cell phone, tablet or laptop? Or, do you just take it out and use it when you need it?  These same rules should be applied to students.  If our students view the use of technology as a way to learn, and a tool to help them solve problems, true integration can occur.

Teachers need to have REALLY GOOD classroom management in place to ensure that learning and thinking are happening.  Rules, expectations and consequences need to be in place to keeps kids on-task and focused.   Students will be appropriate and do what is expected if they know what will happen if they choose to not to follow the rules.  You wouldn't let a student stab another student with a pencil and let it go right?  Same applies for devices.  These digital portals are just another tool to help our students, and should be treated in that manner by teachers.

Relevant Learning

Teachers need to provide ample opportunities for students to utilize these tools in a real and relevant way.  Students need to know the "why" of learning, not just the "how" or "what".  

If there is true meaning behind what we are teaching students, a connection is made, allowing TRUE learning to occur.  We, as teachers, are not just competing with television programs anymore.  We are competing with Minecraft, Wii, X-Box, the Internet, and a list longer than my arm of digital games and applications.  Instead of competing against these engaging learning distractions, we need to find ways to use them.

So, if we are expected to utilize digital devices and applications in the classroom, then we will be expected to know how to use them first right?  No, not right.  What better way to learn something well than to teach it to someone else?  Give your students the leadership and communication skills that they need by allowing them to teach YOU and others how to use these tools.  No longer are the days where we, the teachers, have all of the answers.  We are allowed to get information from others, and that includes our students. Giving our students the role to teach others about digital applications allows you to focus on concepts and real-world connections.

I know some of you are saying, "Sure, Mesha, that all sounds great. But, in the real world of teaching, when will I have time for this?" You already have the time. You are just converting whole group instruction for blended learning activities. There are many schools that are not quite 1:1, yet ALL of the students are proficient in digital literacy, as they have centers or rotations to utilize technology and complete projects either in groups or individually. Rethink how you are running your classroom. Rethink how your students receive information. Rethink the whole entire concept of teaching and learning, so our students can and will succeed.