Educational Technology and Science - AN IDEAL FitPosted by Herring Kure on June 1st, 2021 Even as a long-time proponent of the utilization of educational technology, I'm still amazed at the rapid pace at which it has become a necessity rather than a source of enrichment activities. read more , and also many of the parents, having developed with technology as part of their daily lives, retain certain expectations and assumptions regarding the way technology is used for learning. No longer can the classroom computer be tripped in the corner to be utilized sporadically for special activities nor can video be used as a babysitter. Technology must become a fundamental element of classroom life. What Students Need If our job, as educators, is to prepare students to become successful members of our society, then as well as the traditional knowledge and skills, students must now be prepared to access, evaluate, analyze, and synthesize immeasurable quantities of information. They have to have exceptional listening skills, be able to use email, understand basic operating systems, use word processing and other software, and make an online search for research. more info poses new challenges for teachers, especially those who may not feel as prepared to use technology as their students might be. It really is time for educators to overcome the outdated proven fact that they need to be experts in educational technology prior to the students are allowed to use it. Some Benefits of Educational Technology o increases interest (even yet in rote tasks) o offers a purpose for learning o promotes the perception that knowledge is related (not isolated bits) o permits student individuality in learning styles Educational Technology in the Science Classroom The decision to apply technology in the training environment is often not driven by the technology but by the task at hand. Take, for instance, the case of the physics teacher who had a need to set up some labs for thermodynamics but had no money left for supplies or equipment. Because he was lucky enough to possess 8 computers in his classroom, he was able to use them to create the labs. The students were delivered to science software the school uses and a website . The site has some great simulations that teacher feels are more interactive and that do a more satisfactory job of demonstrating the physics behind the topic than traditional labs. Because science learning requires a great deal of critical analysis, using educational technology in the science classroom is particularly warranted. Understanding how to solve complex problems requires a different instructional approach than learning isolated skills and information necessary for standardized testing purposes. For example, while doing internet research, students needs to be in a position to evaluate an internet source for reliability, accuracy, and bias; exactly the same type of information required in science exploration activities. In order to fully prepare our students for "real" life, as educators we must not only provide them with the content knowledge they want, but also the opportunity to: o accurately acquire information from visual and auditory sources (watching and listening) o develop solutions to problems and present these answers to others using various forms of media o display originality and employ problem solving skills through the creative process o be team players and good collaborators o demonstrate cross-cultural awareness o communicate complex ideas effectively I contend, as do many educational experts, that the use of technology in the classroom is, by far, the best way to accomplish these lofty goals. Educators must plan a future that involves much technology and they need to keep up to date with change by adopting effective strategies that use appropriate technologies. In the science classroom, we have to do more with technology so that our students are better educated and better in a position to succeed in life. If you're prepared to stop making "The 7 Biggest Mistakes Teachers Make Using Video in the Classroom" and desire to start experiencing the great things about using video effectively in your classroom, the next step is to download a free of charge copy of "The 7 Biggest Mistakes Teachers Make Using Video in the Classroom" right now.Like it? Share it! More by this author |