Technology and Curriculum

The want and need for technology to be integrated into curriculum is continuously growing throughout the US. Integrating technology into a curriculum will enhance student’s learning and better prepare students for future jobs and careers. However, integrating technology into curriculums leaves many questions unanswered and not every decision maker in education on board.

According to Peter Theodore, of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, with over 50 learning theories available, a technology curriculum can be adapted for most of the learning theories, making implementing technology into a curriculum quite varied. An example of one learning theory, student-centered, allows the student to control their personal learning. This is possible because technology has the ability to access, store, manipulate, and analyze information. The student will spend more time internalizing the information and allow technology to help them along the way.

Integrating technology into a curriculum is more than computers and software programs in a computer classroom. Technology needs to be incorporated into the four aspects of learning: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to real-world experts. Research has shown that learning can deepen and be enhanced through technology. So what is the problem? Most schools are drastically behind in technology. Many schools have just begun exploring technology and what technology can offer schools, teachers, and students. If technology is used to its true potential, students will be able to survive in the highly technological knowledge-based economy we have today and will grow into in the future (www.edutopia.org).

Several problems arise for teachers when technology is integrated into curriculum. Schools that have high standards make it difficult because the curriculum is so standardized. Teachers do not have the freedom to incorporate technology into their strict curriculum guide. Technology is also in danger of being excluded because it is not being used to its potential. John E. Cowan has the solutions for these unanswered questions that are keeping technology from being incorporated into curriculum full force.

Find what facilities, items, and people are available for support and access to technology:
1. What content needs to be covered?
2. What are the best teaching strategies and technology applications to cover the content?
3. What technology and connections are available?
4. How are equipment, labs, software, and support help scheduled?
5. What types of applications are available on the computers?
6. What is your technology knowledge level?
7. What is the students’ technology knowledge level?
8. Who can help?

Create a detailed plan:
1. What is the topic of the lesson and what needs to be covered?
2. What are the content-knowledge and skill objectives?
3. What standards are covered in the lesson?
4. How many days or periods are required?
5. What will be the grouping strategy?
6. What technology hardware and software will be used?
7. What access and passwords are needed for the lesson?
8. What system will be put in place to save and protect data?
9. What are the technology-knowledge and skill objectives?
10. What will constitute the sequence of events?
11. What supporting materials will be used?
12. What is the plan for deviation?
13. What can be done if technology fails?
14. How will the lesson-technology and content objectives be assessed?

By completing these two lists of questions, made by John E. Cowan, teachers will be able to integrate technology appropriately into the curriculum without any flaws. Teachers don’t have to come up with their own ideas. There are various recourses for teachers that will help them get the job done quickly and successfully. Websites such as Internet 4 Classrooms, CyberSmart, Teachnology, TeacherTube, Teachade, WebQuest.org, Discovery Education Lesson Plans, Lesson Plan Z, Scholastic, and Microsoft Education are great places to go. Also, since using technology can make it difficult to assess students, grading rubrics or student portfolios are two methods of assessments that work well while still being able to incorporate technology and still sticking to the curriculum.