Educational Technology and Science - A Perfect Fit

Posted by Herring Kure on June 1st, 2021

Even as a long-time proponent of the application of educational technology, I'm still amazed at the rapid pace at which it has become a necessity rather than a way to obtain enrichment activities. Today's students, and even many of the parents, having developed with technology as part of their daily lives, retain certain expectations and assumptions concerning the way technology can be used for learning. No longer can the classroom computer be tripped in the corner to be used sporadically for special activities nor can video be utilized 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 achieve success members of our society, then in addition to the traditional knowledge and skills, students must now be prepared to access, evaluate, analyze, and synthesize immeasurable quantities of information. They need to have exceptional listening skills, have the ability to use email, understand basic os's, use word processing along with other software, and use the internet for research. here poses new challenges for teachers, especially those who may not feel as ready to use technology as their students might be. It is time for educators to overcome the outdated idea that they must be experts in educational technology prior to the students are allowed to use it. Some Great things about Educational Technology o increases interest (even yet in rote tasks) o offers a purpose for learning o promotes the perception that all knowledge is related (not isolated bits) o permits student individuality in learning styles Educational Technology in the Science Classroom The decision to use technology in the learning environment is frequently not driven by the technology but by the duty at hand. Take, for instance, the case of the physics teacher who needed to create some labs for thermodynamics but had no money left for supplies or equipment. Because he was fortunate to possess 8 computers in his classroom, he was able to use them to generate the labs. get more info were sent to science software the school uses and a website. The site has some great simulations that this 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 takes 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 required for standardized testing purposes. For example, while doing internet research, a student needs to be able to evaluate an internet source for reliability, accuracy, and bias; the same type of information required in science exploration activities. So that you can fully prepare our students for "real" life, as educators we must not only provide them with the content knowledge they need, but also the ability to: o accurately acquire information from visual and auditory sources (watching and listening) o develop solutions to problems and present these solutions to others using various types 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 usage of technology in the classroom is, undoubtedly, the best way to accomplish these lofty goals. Educators must prepare for a future which 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 must 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, your next step is to download a FREE copy of "The 7 Biggest Mistakes Teachers Make Using Video in the Classroom" right now.

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Herring Kure

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Herring Kure
Joined: June 1st, 2021
Articles Posted: 5

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