Module 7

In reflecting on this semester and all that I have been exposed to in the world of technology in the classroom, I believe that the way in which technology is being used and acts as a catalyst for student learning is more important than the inherent qualities of the technology tools themselves. Students are exposed to excessive amounts of technology on a daily basis, so finding ways to use technology so that the subject material will seem more relevant to the students makes technology more valuable in the classroom. Of course, any teacher can use technology and not reap the benefits, but this course has opened my eyes to some of the ways in which technology in the classroom can be fresh and engaging. In particular, technology that is focused on inquiry-based learning is of much greater value than simply using technology just to use technology. As Coffman (2013) states, “Through the process of inquiry, your students will be engaged, motivated, and eager to learn new ideas and concepts” (p. 7).

In creating my Web Based Inquiry lesson, I experienced a great deal of frustration, which is why I personally dislike technology so much. I believe that this is the biggest hurdle for me to overcome in order to use technology successfully in the classroom. My own attitude and perceptions of technology make me resistant to use it, even though so many great tools are available to me. I do realize the benefits of integrating technology into the classroom, and I have seen some educators do it quite gracefully. At the same time, I have seen plans completely fail due to some malfunction. I will be honest in that it really scares me at times that we have become so dependent on technology.

As a math teacher who teaches geometry, a subject that requires a great deal of logic, I feel the students’ attentiveness in solving a problem has diminished due to the availability of answers. Why should a student have to think through a problem logically when they can just search for the answer online? Because of the desire for instant gratification, students are no longer thinking at the higher levels they once were. I believe that this affects their long-term learning. On the flip side of the coin, students are entering a workforce where the technology skills are highly valued (Solomon & Schrum, 2010, p. 1). Often this technology does most of the thinking once required by the human. I will not disagree that we have made great strides in technology, but I will argue that it does not always make our lives better as most people believe.

In conclusion, I believe that technology has great value if used appropriately. I wish to find ways to bring some of these tools into my own classroom, as I know that they can greatly enhance student engagement.

Coffman, T. (2013). Using Inquiry in the Classroom: Developing Creative Thinkers and Information Literate Students (2nd ed.). Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Education. 

Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2010). Web 2.0: How-to for Educators. Washington, DC: International Society for Technology in Education.