Where do we begin?
Welcome! For many, the introduction of technology in the curriculum is an exciting proposition. For others, it is equally as stressful. Fortunately there are similar events from which we can learn.
I imagine a "classroom" some five thousand years ago, probably not that different from the classrooms of today, where the instructor explained that soon there will be a new technology that will allow everyone to communicate more effectively. "If you learn this technology many of you will have more job opportunities, enjoy a higher standard of living, and develop a deeper appreciation for mankind." This new technology was the beginning of the alphabet.
Yet another example: I imagine another "classroom" from the fifteenth century where the instructor again informed the class that they will soon be introduced to a newly emerged technology. "If you make use of this technology many of you will will have more job opportunities, enjoy a higher standard of living, and develop a deeper appreciation for mankind." This new technology was the printing press. These two developments had a profound impact on education. I argue that the use of technology in the classroom will have an as equally profound impact.
The craft of teaching is changing or is it? Undeniably, technology is changing how teachers deliver content, interact with students, and manage information. However, the content remains the same. Successful integration of technology in the curriculum requires that content drives the technology. Successful Integration fails when technology drives content.
This brings me back to my original question. Where do we begin? That is why I have created this web site. I have included links to activities, resources, and guidance from professional journals that support the integration of technology in the curriculum. We have an awesome opportunity to give Maine students an advantage that very few have. We also have an obligation to the taxpayers to make the most of the resources given to us.
Before we begin...........................
Rarely do theorists and practitioners of education agree upon what works in the classroom. The truth is they are both correct. You can't practice effective teaching without theory and students can't learn without the hard work of dedicated professionals. One current theory involving the successful integration of technology in the classroom is constructivism.
Constructivism is a widely supported assumption that each learner "constructs" his or her knowledge. A teacher can't put knowledge into a student's mind. Learners make their own "constructions" of information using their senses. Current learning experiences are combined with previously learned content to create new understanding. It is not an accident that constructivism is gaining popularity and momentum at the same time interactive, user-friendly computer technologies are becoming widely available (Driscoll, 1994, p.376).
References
Driscoll, M. P. (1994). Psychology of learning for instruction. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
