Technology is an integral part of our day to day lives. From computers and phones to video game consoles and cell phones, technology plays a huge role in how we live our lives. Therefore, schools need to provide a wide variety of technology-related skills for their students so that they are equipped with the skills necessary to use technology as a learning tool. According to the Society for Information Technology Education (SITE), technology-related skills contribute to a school district’s ability to integrate technology into the classroom. These include:
Active learning: Technology has completely changed the way students learn. It used to be that students sat in a class room and learned by reading text. Then, technology-related skills such as PowerPoint presentations and online quizzes were introduced. Today, students sit at a desk in front of a computer and learn by participating in online classes, taking online tests, and browsing websites. Thus, technology-related skills include using the Internet, technology, e-mail, and computer-aided design (CAD) skills. In order to engage in active learning, a school must have teachers who use technology-related skills, such as using Internet Explorer, Java, Flash, Office, and other software.
Collaboration: Technology has made it easy for students to communicate with each other. This communication can take place in the classroom, in a locker room, with classmates, or in the lunchroom. Because technology-related skills are so valuable in the modern world, teachers should incorporate technology-related activities into the class curriculum. For instance, teachers may need to encourage students to develop computer reports by using MS Word or Excel. Likewise, they may need to set up a computer lab where students can come and use computers, create computer software, or study computer systems in their own free time.
Self-Esteem: Technology has also played a large role in developing our self-esteem. This is why so many of us spend so much time on technology-related activities. Unfortunately, many children lack the technology skills to be successful at technology-related activities. As such, school districts are often forced to invest in technology to help struggling students become more successful when it comes to technology-related skills. Unfortunately, some districts find that this can result in unequal opportunities among different districts’ students, such as those who are highly talented in technology but less so in traditional classrooms.
Flexibility: Technology is also a very flexible discipline That is, when a new technology becomes available, it is often easier to adapt the existing curriculum so that students have access to the new technology. Thus, some technology-related skills can become obsolete quickly. A school district, for example, may have replaced bell chimes with Silent Alarms, which are a lot simpler to use and require far less training.
Technology plays an important part in society and education: Indeed, we cannot simply ignore technology-related skills. We must, therefore, make technology a significant part of the classroom so that students are well-equipped to participate productively in the classroom. If not, the result will be a student who has little motivation to learn and teachers who are ineffective at educating students because they are not technologically savvy.