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Introduction
Technology is such a big part of the world of w which we live. Many of the jobs that did
not require technology use in years past do require the use of technology today. Many more
homes have computers than in years past and increasing numbers of people know how to use
them. Technology is being used by children and adults on a daily basis by way of web surfing,
texting, social networking, interactive games, and in more ways. We are an evolving
technological society and in many ways have become dependent on its use. Thus, the use of
technology and teaching students have to use it has become a high priority in the public schools.
Today, there is a common focus on raising student achievement while integrating
technology as a tool. Policymakers and educators are renewing their commitment to programs
and instructional practices that to enhance maximum effects on instruction and student outcomes.
Due to the large use of technology in the world in which we live, the use of technology in
teaching and learning is essential if we are to make a lasting impact on how students learn. Now,
with the onset of the Common Core Standards and their emphasis on technology, the use of
technology will become an even bigger priority in schools (Cristen, 2009).
Position Statement
Technology has a positive impact on student learning. Technology causes students to be
more engaged; thus, students often retain more information. Because of the arrival of new
technologies rapidly occurring globally, technology is relevant to the students. Technology
provides meaningful learning experiences. Technology also provides hands-on learning
opportunities that can be integrated into all school curricular areas, including mathematics,
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reading, science, and social studies as well as other academic subjects. It gives students
opportunities to collaborate with their peers resulting in learning from each other. These factors
combined can lead to a positive impact on student learning and motivation.
The Common Core Standards require more technology integration than the Arkansas
Frameworks required ( B. Tyler personal communication on September 8, 2014) . For this
reason, technology integration is becoming more important in public schools. Students are now
having to become more confident using computers (i.e. in order to take standardized tests
presently an in the future). In addition, the Common Core Standards include many standards that
require technology use by students, beginning at the Kindergarten level, in order for standards to
be met. Essentially, this means that all classrooms and students will be required to integrate
technology in order to meet the standards.
Another reason technology is a factor improving learning is the fact that technology is
becoming such an integral part of our everyday world. Most jobs today require some type of
technology use. Also, students and adults are using technology on a daily basis to communicate,
get information in multiple ways. The prevalent daily use of technology in people’s lives overall
makes the use of technology very relevant to the students and provides a connection that will
greatly benefit student learning.
Literature Review
Students today live in a very technological world. Most students use some form of
technology on a daily basis including; texting, social networking, and web surfing. Students see
these types of technologies as useful and extremely enjoyable. These very same students that are
accustomed to these types of technologies will relate to using technology at school. If their
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learning environment mirrors the ways in which they engage with the world, they will excel in
their education (Christen, 2009). Technology can transform the classroom into an interactive
learning environment.
Technology is a powerful contributor to learning if it is used to deepen students’
engagement in meaningful and intellectually authentic curriculum. Technology is a tool. It
should be selected when it is the best tool for students to learn. Technology can be a particularly
effective tool for English language learners and can enhance the participation of children with
disabilities. Children in elementary schools should begin to use familiar technology tools as a
part of their academic program. Teachers should model the use of technology in support of the
curriculum so that children can see the appropriate use of technology and benefit from exposure
to more advanced applications that they will use independently when they are older (DePasquale,
McNamara, & Murphy, 2003).
Many studies have shown the advantages of using technology in classroom instruction.
Technology can be used as a tool for establishing meaningful projects to engage students in
critical thinking and problem solving. Technology can be used to restructure and redesign the
classroom to produce an environment that promotes the development of higher-order thinking
skills (Kurt, 2010). Technology also increases student collaboration. Collaboration is a highly
effective tool for learning. Students cooperatively works together to either create projects or
they can learn from each other by reading the work of their peers (Keser, Huseyin, & Ozdamli,
2011).
One study that was conducted to determine whether Wiki technology would improve
students’ writing skills in a college English as a foreign language writing class showed benefits
to using Wiki technology. Students were invited to join a Wiki page where they would write and
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post passages and then read and respond to the passages of their fellow classmates. Students
participating in the study reported that their receiving immediate feedback from the instructor
was a benefit of using this form of technology. Students in the study also reported learning
vocabulary, spelling, and sentence structure by reading the work of their classmates (Lin &
Yang, 2011).
Another study was conducted to examine the experiences of pre-service teachers
implementing technology in math lessons. The study shows a positive effect on student learning
in mathematics. The pre-service teachers noted that the internet provided math activities at
different levels, which gave students an opportunity to choose the level they are comfortable
working. Findings showed that students were engaged during the math lessons using technology
and students were able to discuss what they learned the following day. The teachers were
surprised by the students’ recall of the lesson. Some students who participated in the lessons
believed that the computer helped them understand what the teacher was saying about the lesson.
Technology can be used as a way to create a hands-on and meaningful math lesson (Herron,
2010).
Another study found that integrating technology and peer-led discussions of literature can
produce increased student engagement and motivation. Technology used in these small group
discussions of literature includes wikis, online literature circles, and online book clubs. With
these technologies, students were able to connect with readers from other schools, states, and
even other countries. This type of technology is an assessable and motivational way to expose
students to other ideas and cultures. These online literature discussions have the ability to create
a sense of community and foster positive social interaction (Coffey, 2012).
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Continuing advancements in technology change the ways all people live and work. The
internet is becoming a common learning tool in many classrooms (Açıkalın, 2009). This means
provide a meaningful learning experience for all students. Teachers today have many
opportunities to use technology increasing the ways students learn.
Using computers and the internet has become an integral part of our daily lives.
Therefore, one of the greatest vehicles for the 21
st
century is using technology for effective and
permanent learning. The internet affects peoples’ lives by increasing communication, expanding
educational services, and increasing quality along with personal interaction. More emphasis has
been placed on seeking, evaluating, organizing using and sharing information with others. The
internet is the greatest source for information and the best way to quickly share and exchange
information with others, The internet sharpens one’s ability to search and analyze information
(Tutkun, 2011).
The internet is being used as a source for teaching material. Providing information and
communication technologies for teaching and learning will have some advantages. First, the
students will play a more active role, which will help them retain more information. Next,
follow-up discussions will contain more detail where students will become more independent.
Last, the students will easily process new student-based educational material and their skills will
increase (Tutkun, 2011).
In 2009, Van Meter Community School in Iowa adopted a one-to-one laptop initiative in
grades 6-12. They also enacted a strong technology focus throughout the district. Since the
launch of this program, the school has reported that there was an evolving atmosphere of respect,
creativity, collaboration, and connection. They also say that independent thinking and learning
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has prevailed at their school. Through this educational transformation, Van Meter has become a
place where students can find their passion (Miller, 2011).
The students at Van Meter use their laptops for virtual reality programs and creating Prezi
software slideshows, YouTube videos, and reading and writing blogs. At one school, one fifth
grade girl talked about how she loved to present and show what she could do by using
technology. The students at Van Meter are very excited about the learning activities that the
laptops allow which is evident showing students’ in learning. Students are being allowed to
develop their abilities and strengths by doing activities in which they are passionate. The
learning is immediate, motivational, and relevant. They are using technology to interact and
exchange ideas, research independently, adapt to new situations, and take ownership over their
own learning (Miller, 2011).
Because technology is a big part of people’s daily lives, it is pertinent and vital that
children learn how to use it at an early age. When children use technology tools in elementary
schools, a sense of confidence and competence in their computer skills will grow as they get
older. Many children today have access to a great deal of technology in their home; this access
will result in students being comfortable by using technology at school as well. When
elementary school teachers use and model different forms of technologies, they actively engage
their students and create a stimulating work environment (Kenney, 2011).
A study to examine the effects of information and communication technologies on
students’ math and science achievement was conducted with 4,996 students in Turkey. The data
was obtained from the results of The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), a
standardized test given to 9
th
grade students. The study results indicated that students’ exposure
to Information and communication technology at home and school had a positive impact on their
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math and science achievement scores. Students’ who spent a lot of time using technology were
shown to have increased science knowledge. They also performed better on math skills.
Information and communication technology has a positive effect on student learning and should
be included in classroom instruction (Bulut & Delen, 2011).
A study conducted by Baytak, Tarman, & Ayas found that most students believe that
their learning is improved by integrating technology into classroom curriculum. Students
participating in the study reported that using technology in school makes learning fun and helps
them learn more. They believed that technology makes learning interesting, enjoyable, and
interactive. Children today love to learn by doing, interacting, and discovering (Baytak, Tarman,
& Ayas, 2011). Using technology in classrooms has the potential to create increased student
motivation, increased social interactions, positive outcomes, enhanced student learning, and
enhanced student engagement.
Technology is capable of unlocking keys of learning with all students. This includes
students with special learning needs. The Etiwanda School District in California has
implemented a technology integration program district wide. Teachers received technology
training and then began integrating technology into general education lessons on a daily basis.
This program also included a practical technology support plan for teachers working with
students with special needs. This plan enabled teachers to help these students by weaving
technology resources into instruction in meaningful ways. The plan proved to be successful in
the Etiwanda School District. The students with special learning needs are now meeting their
IEP goals more quickly due to this technology integration. They are also improving their
performance on district benchmarks (Courduff, 2011).
Conclusion
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The evidence in this paper shows that technology has a positive effect on student learning
expectations and outcomes. Evidence also shows that technology integration is becoming more
common in public and private schools. Technology integration is shown to be effective in all
age groups and is also shown to be helpful for students with special learning needs. To reiterate,
technology integration has the following benefits: 1) increased student motivation; 2) increased
student engagement; 3) increased student collaboration; 4, increased hands-on learning
opportunities; 5) allows for learning at all levels; 6) increased confidence in students, and 6)
increased technology skills.
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