Christie technology research

Technology & Elementary Education

Embracing Classroom Technology

Tennessee: BEACONS

Elementary Computer Skills Training

CHOOSE AN ARTICLE TO READ -or-

CONCLUSION CITATIONS

INCORPORATING TECHNOLOGY IN

ELEMENTARY EDUCATION

Valerie Gresser, a first grade teacher in Arizona felt like her students were having enough exposure of technology in

the classroom. By only having a single computer in the classroom, the students were limited to computer use

during class time. She felt that there were plenty tools available, but affording them was the issue. She researched

the tools that she felt would benefit her classroom and presented her idea to the principal of the school. The

principal informed her of the school district’s new goal, to make education applicable to the 21st century learner,

which technology is a major part of. She got the go ahead, but again money was an issue.

EMBRACING CLASSROOM

TECHNOLOGY

She heard from a colleague that there was a $20,000 grant available for teachers to design their ‘ideal’ classroom. Gresser proposed her idea and won the grant! With the

money she was able to completely transform her classroom with a ceiling projector, interactive whiteboard, interactive electronic table for students to input data, digital cameras and more! Gresser stated, “I’m still using best practices

and doing all of the professional development that my district offers. I’m just adding the technology component to

the mix.” She does admit to having a little difficulty learning to use all the new equipment at one time, but the students use all the equipment daily and has really proved

to be attention-grabbing and useful in the classroom.

CONT.

This article proved particularly interesting to me because as a future educator, I have had some trouble seeing how to incorporate technology into an elementary classroom. I found it very interesting that Gesser was able to find many

ways for her first grade students to use the technology daily. One really great idea I thought she had was that

she let the students use digital cameras to go around the school and take pictures of nouns and present a five slide Power-Point on nouns. I felt really passionate about the remark she made about using her best teaching styles, just incorporating technology. This seems like the best

way to teach students today because that is what they are interested in, as well as it being an important key to many

successful careers.

REFLECTION

In a small school in East Tennessee, transforming their school into a ‘model for technology integration’ was a

major goal. They began the BEACONS [Becoming Excited About Computers Offering New Strategies] project with the help of a grant. With the program

they have offered technology training to students and teachers at Blue Springs Elementary. Rather than

having one training seminar on the complex technology and expecting the teachers to know how to handle

every problem, the grant pays for a ‘technology coach’ to be placed in the school to offer help as it is needed.

TENNESSEE:BEACONS

The technology coach is responsible for helping teachers continue the use of technology in the

classrooms by helping them understand the tools in every situation. “Our teachers are learning that technology is not a separate curriculum, but an

appropriate and critical part of every day learning.” The program also offers classes to parents of Blue Springs students that teaches them how to use the technology that their students are learning to they

can be an asset to their learning at home.

CONT.

The BEACONS program is a really great idea. It seems that it is common that the teachers attend one seminar or class on how to use an extremely complex piece of equipment and are expected to know how to correctly use it, despite any errors or problems they may run in to. Hiring a technology coach seems to be a perfect

solution for that problem. Technology can sometimes become frustrating when it doesn’t work in the way we want it to, which may defer a teacher or parent from

using it altogether. Having someone to be there help [i.e. tech coach] is a great way to keep the initial

excitement alive.

REFLECTION

A first grade classroom in Ohio is using a new program called CLIP [Computer Literacy by Intensive

Preparation] to move students out of computer labs, and being able to put computers in the classrooms where

the students have easier access to them. The program takes place at a University in Ohio that the first graders and their guardians attend. The purpose of the program is to teach the students six basic components of using a

computer, using the mouse, click on objects, open programs, keyboard use, and how to print.

ELEMENTARY COMPUTER

SKILLS TRAINING

Then the students have the opportunity to work some basic software programs such as the

calculator, paint program, and drawing a clip-art. The program is only a day long, but it gives the students an opportunity to learn the necessary

skills to use a computer.

CONT.

This seems like a great way to open a gateway of opportunities for students who don’t have homes with technology savvy parents or a lot of technology in their

home or school. Learning these important skills for higher elementary, high school, college, and careers.

This article also gave some tips on how to recreate this program. It gave such suggestions as leaving recess

space because young children need time to take a break. They also suggested making sure to re-create a

classroom setting, so when they take the skills back to the classroom they can be used.

REFLECTION

I found all of these articles extremely helpful to me. I was really unsure if it was even possible to

incorporate technology into classrooms with young children with so much energy. The answer is clearly YES! All of these articles gave perfect examples of how it is possible to do so, and how important and

useful it is. Although it does seem like the funding is usually the issue at hand, it seems that there are

many grants and programs that are willing to assist to make sure students are getting the proper

training in technology that they will need to succeed.

CONCLUSION

Elementary computer skills. (2002). The Journal, Retrieved from http://

thejournal.com/Articles/2002/03/01/Elementary-Computer-Skills-Training.aspx?sc_lang=en&Page=1

McCrea, B. (2010). Embracing classroom technology. The Journal, Retrieved from http://

thejournal.com/Articles/2010/06/17/Embracing-Classroom-Technology.aspx?Page=1

Tennessee: beacons project gets blue springs elementary on the road to true technology integration. (2004). The Journal, Retrieved

from http://thejournal.com/Articles/2004/07/01/Tennessee-BEACONS-Project-Gets-Blue-Springs-Elementary-On-the-Road-to-

True-Technology-Integration.aspx?sc_lang=en&Page=2

CITATION