As a new teacher, one of the issues you will need to address is the use of technology in the classroom. Depending on the resources available to you, you may have the option of using computer-based presentations, interactive tablets and whiteboards, virtual learning environments, a wide array of educational software, and the almost limitless possibilities available on the Web. These options to enhance your student’s classroom experience were probably not available when you were a student. They can be very exciting (and perhaps a bit intimidating) but they can require a considerable investment both financially and in training and preparation time.
How and when to use these technical teaching tools will become important questions that you will need to think about carefully before integrating technology in your classroom. As a teacher using a constructivist approach, you will need to determine if the technology will help create the desired learning experience for your students. Will it enable them to communicate and interact in ways that will help shape their interpretation of that experience? Does it help support multiple intelligences and perspectives in learning? Is it appropriate for to the psycho-social abilities of the students in your classroom? If the answer to these questions is ‘no’, then a different approach might be needed. But even if the answer is ‘yes’, you still have a few things to think about before undertaking any major effort:
- What classroom/school resources will be required?
- what are power needs of your tools? will your power outlets supply those needs?
- what are the Internet capabilities of your school? Do you have good bandwidth? Are some sites blocked?
- are the lighting, acoustics, and layout of your classroom condusive to the exercise or presentation you want to make? - What hardware resources will be required?
- what computers or peripherals are needed? Do they need to be reserved in advance?
- are you familiar with setting up and running the hardware?
- do you have a plan for solving tech problems, or a backup if those problems cannot be quickly solved? - What software resources will be required?
- do you know how to install and run the software?
- is it compatable with the hardware or other software that it will be used with?
- does it adequately perform the tasks that are required for your lesson/exercise/presentation? - What human resources are required?
- what IT staff or technicians are available to assist you with your technology?
- are they familiar with the specific hardware and software you plan to use?
This is certainly a lot to cover, but perhaps foremost among these questions are those dealing with your personal knowledge and comfort level with the tools you will be using. Your ability to evaluate your own technical abilities will help determine whether or not your student’s classroom experience will be a success. One framework for evaluating your ability to assimilate technology in a constructivist classroom breaks down your ability into four levels (McKenzie, 2000):
- Preliterate End Users – those without any practical experience in computers and related tehcnologies
- Software Technicians – those who are familiar with computers and the Internet for personal use, but have not integrated them into the classroom
- Electronic Traditionalists – those who have used technology in the classroom, but limited to traditional classroom styles
- Techno-Constructivists – those who have fully integrated technology in a way that redefines the classroom experience for students
If you find yourself in one of the first two categories, it might be better to limit your objectives until you have become more familiar and experienced with the tools you want to use. In these cases, the question of human resources will be particularly relevant. IT professionals, or the more computer-savvy teachers in your school may be available to teach you how to use the tools you need. Other resources outside the school may be available as well. Being familiar with the tools you will be using will help you create the classroom experience you want, and avoid some of the problems discussed in the video below:
Christopher Call
