Proposal For Technology Integration

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Proposal for Technology Integration

Jessica Gomez

Grand Canyon University: TEC- 530

9-06-17
Proposal for effective technology integration with emphasis on ethical recommendations

Requesting a discount on telecommunications and information services through the

schools E-Rate Program (FCC, 2016), buying more computers, increasing the broadband width,

and better technical support are all ways to increase technology integration in schools there are

still some problems that need to be addressed to effectively integrate the technology to reach

students in the classroom.

The Problem:

How to integrate technology into the classroom while ensuring equitable access?

Before we can address the issue we first need to know the facts. “In 2013, 71 percent of the U.S.

population age 3 and over used the Internet.” (NCES, 2016) We can see and understand this fact

because as technology increases our awareness of technology increases. We see young preschool

children handing smartphones or being entertained with tablets in our daily observations.

Although we do see an increase of technology use it is still prolific in families with higher

education and income levels. (NCES, 2016) What that means to schools and teacher is that

although students may have some exposure to technology it may not mean that they have daily

access to it, and this is especially so in Title I schools where the socioeconomic status is low.

Why is this important?

“Technology offers the potential to improve education for disadvantaged students,

regardless of at-home availability — but only if all students are able to fully participate.” (ISTE,

2017) There is only so much a teacher can provide for students throughout a typical school day.
What technology in the classroom allows teachers is to expand the school day in a way that

affords teachers a way to access more students in a more meaningful way. For example, a student

who may not be performing at grade level and needs extra help and attention could potentially

learn the same lesson given to the whole class, when given at his level on in a digital way.

Something as simple as students who might have motor skill problems with writing with pencil

on paper may flourish and start to have school success because they are no longer held back from

their academic potential, if a computer was provided to type up the essay that is due for class.

Solution:

There are some very cost-effective solutions to incorporate equitable access in the

classroom. One way is to train teachers in the technology already available for use within the

school because doing so will provide “every student the opportunity to learn from teachers who

understand how to use technology to both enhance learning and create quality learning

experiences for students with special needs.” (ISTE, 2017) By having professional development

specifically for technology on school site or offered as a class to be taken at a P.D. office makes

it easier for teachers to get the training and is cost effective to the school because the

technology/software they already purchased can be put to good use.

Another way is to adopt software that differentiates instruction. An example of this would

be I-Ready which is a math and/or reading program that teachers can assign lessons to the

students or after taking the diagnostic test will give students lessons at their proficiency levels.

When you are discussing buying software for a school or district there is a cost but depending on

how many licenses are bought and the type of program it can be in the low hundreds to as high as

the several thousands. Researching which applications are most needed at the site will provide a
better way to know what software to purchase to give students a greater equitable access to

technology.

The Problem:

How to incorporate safe, healthy, legal, and ethical uses of digital information and

technologies? With technology being used in our daily lives it is often times looked over that

when incorporating it into our schools the need to address topics such as safety, health, and legal

use of information. The need for this is there, however, in schools because students are not aware

of the potential risks involved with the use of technology, having never experiences things like

computer fraud or scams, carpal tunnel syndrome or eye strain from too much use, or other

problems that can arise from misuse of information.

Why is this important?

“The Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) was enacted by Congress in 2000 to

address concerns about children's access to obscene or harmful content over the internet,” (CIPA,

2016) and with this act it has become imperative that school and district personal put in place

measures to ensure that students are using technology safely and that the school sites are

compliant with the act.

Solution:

There are several ways to insure the safety of our students while using technology in

school and making sure that we as a school are in compliance with CIPA. One way is to have

students and teachers participate in digital citizenship trainings. There are a number of programs
that can be purchased to teach digital citizenship, but a nice free resource is provided by

Common Sense Media. This site provides lesson plans, and videos free for students to watch.

Digital citizenship covers topics such as cyberbullying, protecting personal information, and the

proper netiquette needed to interact safely with others online.

Another way to provided safety and health to our students is for teachers to be mindful of

how much time they are using technology in the classroom. This is free of cost and something

that can easily be incorporated into the classroom. By watching the time spent on the computer,

and breaking up that time with other activities such as group work, whole class, or classroom

breaks, it allows for students to rest tired eyes, or wrist. Eye strain can cause students to have

headaches, become restless, and disengaged from task which puts students learning at risk. If

more computer time is necessary then the school should purchase computer eye wear especially

designed for computer work use to protect young eyes.

The Problem:

How to use digital age communication and collaboration tools in a way to allow

promotion of diversity, cultural understanding, and global awareness?

Why is this important?

“Digital communication is a foundational skill for many careers today since most people will be

involved in some form of conceptualizing, producing, delivering and receiving these communications in

their jobs and personal lives.” (The Journal, 2005) With that being said, not only are we as teachers

supporting and training students to be productive members of society but we are giving them
opportunities to have access to real world problems and interaction within the classroom setting so as to

be able to provide guidance where needed for students.

Another important aspect of digital communication is that it provides a voice to those who might

have a hard time being heard. “In school, it’s important for all students to communicate what they know;

digital communication levels the playing field.” (The Journal, 2005)

Solution:

One way to use digital communication and collaboration tools in the classroom is to use

them with an authentic task in mind. Perhaps students are learning about ecology and have a

project about that topic, it would then be beneficial to communicate via skype or other digital

communication resources, those within the field to get real world experience. Even

communicating with others from another country within the same assignment could provide and

promote cultural understanding as to how their ecology is different versus that of the students.

Using collaboration tools in the classroom such as messaging boards, google classroom,

and the like are also great ways to incorporate diversity in the classroom, because it allows

everyone to have a voice and interact with each other inside and outside of the classroom, with

peers or others online. It also provides a means for equitable access for student learning because

everybody can contribute and share their knowledge.

The changes that are addressed in this proposal are some that can be incorporated into the

classroom almost immediately and require few if any funds. Making the changes now will ensure

that students and teachers are effectively incorporating technology into their school in a safe,

ethical, and productive way.


Reference

Federal Communications Commission. (October 25, 2016). Children’s Internet Protection Act

(CIPA). Retrieved from https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/childrens-internet-

protection-act

Federal Communications Commission. (October 25, 2016). FAQs on E-Rate program for

schools and libraries. Retrieved from https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/universal-

service-program-schools-and-libraries-e-rate

ISTE. (2017). Equitable access. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards/essential-

conditions/equitable-access

The Journal. (5-5-2005). Teaching digital communication to all students. Retrieved from

https://thejournal.com/Articles/2005/05/01/Teaching-Digital-Communication-to-All-

Students.aspx?Page=1

U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. (2016). Digest of

Education Statistics, 2015 (NCES 2016-014), Chapter 7. Retrieved from

https://nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=46

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