Technology Use vs Technology Integration

Teachers:› Use technology linked to

district and school initiatives to support learning in the content areas.

› Use technology to assist with data-driven decision making.

› Use technology to support different learning styles and to meet the needs of all learners, including those with disabilities.

› Use technology as a vehicle for professional development

› Integrate technology into the curriculum, rather than making technology a separate subject area.

(The Northeast and the Islands Regional Technology Consortium (NEIRTEC) 2002).

Students:

“The International Society for Technology in Education indicates that to learn effectively and live productively in an increasingly digital world, students should know and be able to use technology for creativity and innovation; communication and collaboration; research and information fluency; critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making; digital citizenship; and technology operations and concepts” (ISTE, 2007) .

Technology integration, according to the National Forum on Education Statistics, Forum Unified Education Technology Suite, "is the incorporation of technology resources and technology-based practices into the daily routines, work, and management of schools"(2005).

If teachers just use technology to use it, there may be no real enhancement

of learning. If teachers

thoughtfully integrate the use of

technology, students may

benefit immensely.

“To have a positive effective on achievement, technology-use must be a regular, integral part of an instructional program and not viewed as an add-on” (Deubel, 2001).

Instead of teaching technology skills separately from other subject areas, teachers can integrate the use of technology. Therefore, students will learn to use technology and improve their current skills.

Research shows that academic achievement improves when technology is integrated.

Students can: Create original works as a

means of personal or group expression.

Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.

Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts or others employing a variety of digital environments and media, including globally.

Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media.

• Plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources.• Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology. • Troubleshoot systems and applications.

(Deubel 2001)

Yes. When technology is integrated into a classroom teachers thoughtfully seek ways of using technology as an enhancer of learning across all subject areas. Using technology without thoughtful integration may be seen by students as just an add-on and may provide no real enhancement of learning.

Deubel, P. (2001). Technology integration: Essential questions [Online]. Retrieved [fill in date] from Computing Technology for Math Excellence at http://www.ct4me.net/technology_integr.htm