Technology Integration Strategies

This is a topic that should interest ALL Reading Specialists.

Our students are exposed to the technology and we cannot underestimate their ability to use it.The question is: Can we just complain about the lack of facilities at our school?Do we want the technology integration to be an elusive goal? We have to remember the benefits of technology integration and there are ways, to make it easy for us to integrate the technology. It is important for us to use the technology because other important technologies are emerging , such as gaming simulations and streaming media. So we have to keep up!

Hopper & Hendricks, (2008) are of the view that teachers should stop looking for some technology magic and use the technology at hand.Teachers must be aware that although there might be technology problems,they must see it as part of the learning process.(Bitner & Bitner, 2002).

Teachers must use online technologies in the classroom because there are online websites that can engage students attention on subject matter.If teachers use these resources, time is saved on teacher preparation and there are more materials to study.Therefore, the web based tools on Google docs such as wikis and blogs, which allows users to collaborate on shared documents.

Lastly, here I will point out that it is important for teachers to model technology use.The technology must be used sensibly, not routinely. This means that the technology must be used to demonstrate how one can improve their work. When students observe how beneficial the technology can be for their learning, they will be interested.

Can our Students get a Wired Education?

Computers and multimedia are seamlessly woven into the curriculum at technology - rich Mary Scroggs Elementary School. See: http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-digital-divide-scroggs-video

From this video, it is obvious that for technological integration to be successfully implemented in a school system, the following is needed:

1) Space to accomodate the hardware and the software in a class setting.

2) Parental support

3) Technicians to set up and solve daily technical problems

4) Funding to support the programme.

5) Cooperating teachers

6) Time to prepare for the integration process

Since 2002, the school in the video has been teaching with technology. The question is, are we far behind ? Presently, in the school system , it is worthwhile to investigate , to what extent technology is integrated in the curriculum. There are computers at many schools but at some schools they are not in use.

At my school, the Mafeking Government Primary School, there are nineteen (19) computers. I am proud to say that the Principal made arrangements for a Computer Teacher, to visit the school twice a week. All classes are exposed to the computers , once a week.The students are learning basic literacy skills. I see that both boys and girls are eager to go to the lab. I am not sure whether technological integration in the school's curriculum is going to happen soon.Some classes are small.However, the Principal did mention that she would like that every class, get at least one computer but that will not be enough.The students are not happy when they have to share computers at the lab.

I am willing to enlighten my colleagues at school about blogs, concept mapping, e - books and wikis, so that they will be encouraged to use the sites to teach concepts.

Fellow Teachers, I am asking you, To what extent do you see the integration of technology at your school?

Believe me! I will be amazed and happy that it is happening, to a great extent in at least one school.

What is Web 2.0?

My Understanding of Web 2.0

Many technologies fall into the category of Web 2.0, for example, blogs, wikis, concept mapping and e - books.What is truly amazing about these sites is that users can have different roles, that is as contributors to the information given, rather than mere passive receptors of knowledge. Also, the sites enable users to collaborate with others.Web 2.0 can develop critical minds, as our students will find these sites, quite interactive and fun.

Boys will have an adventure as they manipulate, the tools of the programmes.

Is this a common sight we see?

Integrating Technology to Develop Boys' Literacy Practices

I support Reichert and Hawley (2009) comment that 'if there is a crisis in boys' education, answers are not hard to find.'

According to Blair and Sanford (2006), 'boys' out - of - school literacy practices invovle activites, which support their personal interests, such as Sports and Computer magazines and other graphic books.'Boys read these articles to find out how to be popular in the games they play and to compete with their friends. Also,the Internet maintain boys' interest and encourage them to read complex print and visual text.

If we are to integrate technology in the school's curriculum, the answer lies in the following question.


How can websites for blogs, wikis and concept mapping be used to support boys' out of school literacy practices?

Boys' Literacy Practices

There is a lot of research on the Gender Gap in Reading and evidence to prove that girls show more interest in reading than boys and as a result, perform better than girls in the areas of the Language Arts.

The problem is boys read less fiction than girls. They prefer magazines that are analytical and contain facts more than narrative .These preferences affect their motivation toward school – based reading. (Coles and Hall, 2001).

Boys get excited about manipulating real world things, for example the makeup of vehicles and building things. However, it is these interactions that are overlooked, when we define literacy.

Can we say that boys are becoming literate in ways that girls aren't?