Engage, Enhance and Extend Learning!

Technology in the classroom should be used to engage, enhance and extend student learning. Typically when you think of giving a child a technology assignment you feel as though all three key points are covered. In order for a student to be engaged, they must be motivated to start learning and take their behavior from passive 

to active learning. Technology should also be used to enhance the student’s learning. That is, the technology used in a specific assignment should allow students to gain a better understanding of their topic while being able to demonstrate that understanding using non-traditional tools. From here the student should be able to extend their technology use into their every day lives. They should be able to use the technology from their assignment outside of the typical school setting and understand its uses without the assistance of a teacher. 

Using technology in every day lessons is beneficial for students who may not be able to learn in a typical teacher based setting. Not only will the idea of using technology jump-start the students desire to learn, but also it will broaden horizons for many children. Students will learn with technology and eventually be able to take that knowledge with them into the real world. There is more to technology than just a computer too. Typically teachers think that having students type essays or blogs on a word processor is technology, however that only covers engagement. Really taking advantage of all that there is to offer in the technology world will enhance a student’s learning. Downloading applications on various forms will extend the learning outside of the classroom as well.

It is very easy to engage students in various types of learning by simply assigning them hands on activities, however it takes technology and knowing how to use it for students to enhance and engage in what they are being taught. For example, if a teacher wants to have students write a blog, they can require that they use a Google Doc in order to survey students and get their opinions on the topic they blogged about. Using a doc gives the children an opportunity to integrate elements of interaction between students as well as work on a skill perhaps they are unfamiliar with. It would be difficult to poll readers using pen and paper. For one, you may not know everyone that is reading your blog. It may also be difficult to keep up with the results of your poll in order to compile them into an analytical print out. However, if you compose a Google Doc and ask students to complete a survey, questionnaire or any sort of quiz following the reading of your blog, you can use further technology to evaluate the information gathered. Students can extend their learning by taking results from a Google Doc and entering them into Flubaroo. Using Flubaroo is an easy way to grade and compile scores. This can be used for teachers or anyone who has the need for compiling information into grades and graphs.

Just by creating a blog and adding various elements, students have become engaged in the lesson, they have enhanced their learning and they are able to extend that knowledge into the real world. For students with special needs, using technology is a concept that many students benefit from. Being able to differentiate your teaching styles will prove to be effective for all types of learners.

References:

Jonassen, D.H., & Reeves, T. C., "Learning with technology: Using computers as cognitive tools," in ed. D. H. Jonassen, Handbook of Research for Educational Communication and Technology, (NY: Simon & Schuster Macmillan, 1996), 693-724.

The Frontier of Classroom Technology [Image]. (2012). Retrieved September 1, 2013, from: http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2012/01/03/the-frontier-of-classroom-technology