RSS FEEDS

RSS FEEDS

RSS feeds provide a vital form of communication not only with regards to the content but also being kept updated with regards to latest news. Reading about rss feeds and how they work allowed me to realize that its not only a gadget. It can perform a vital function for allowing a level of interaction with the user, but also keeping up to date with latest trends. The various forms of RSS feeds creates a platform in which users can be engaged at various levels.

Technology Effectiveness Framework

Ask yourself the following questions:

• What are the learning goals to which technology applies?
• How are these learning goals moving the school toward reform?
• How will a technology-enhanced curriculum support instructions that addresses those learning goals?
• Does the technology-enhanced approach help restructure the school to meet its plant for educational reform?
• Do the students achieve the learning goals using the technology-enhanced curriculum?
• Can the school implement cost-efficient technologies given its goals and current realities?
• Can the school extend or adapt less functional technologies so that they are more functional to support a global community of learners in sustained learning that is challenging and authentic?
• Are there funding strategies/partnerships that can reduce the cost?
• How can a school continuously plan to use technology to reach for more powerful learning goals and reform?

Keep in mind the following variables that define learning:

• The goals and metaphors that drive learning and instructions (vision of learning).
• The tasks that ultimately define the nature and level of achievement as well as the curriculum
• The assessment principles and practice.
• The instructional model.
• The characteristics of the learning context including where learning takes place, the nature of the learning environment, the nature of the relationship among teachers and students.
• The learner roles.
• Teacher roles.

Maintain the new definition of Technology Effectiveness to include:

• Authentic and multi-disciplinary tasks
• Addresses important issues and problems in the real world.
• Performance-based assessment.
• Interactive models of instruction.
• Heterogeneous groupings.
• Collaboration.
• Students exploration.
• Teacher as facilitator.

Remember . . .

• LEARNERS: knowledgeable, self-determined, strategic, empathetic
• TASKS: challenging, authentic, integrative
• ASSESSMENT: performance-based, generative, seamlessly interwoven with curriculum and instruction
• INSTRUCTIONAL MODELS AND STRATEGIES: interactive, generative
• LEARNING CONTEXT: knowledge-building learning community, values diversity and multiple perspectives, wide-ranging collaborative experiences in and out of school.
• GROUPING: heterogeneous, flexible, equitable
• TEACHER ROLES: facilitator, guide
• STUDENT ROLES: explorer, cognitive apprentice

Six Variables for Technology Assessment

• Access of school to telecommunications and within given classroom to diverse technologies and resources.
• Operability.
• Location and direction of resources.
• Capacity of technology or program to engage students in challenging learning.
• Ease of use.
• Functionality (capacity of the technology to prepare students of a diversity of technology functions).

                                                                         source: http://www.nsba.org/sbot/toolkit/teie.html

CLICK TO Gilbert Valdez, Ph.D. to watch a video on the importance of technology in education.

How Important is Technology in Education

The mere fact that technology is the order of the day is sufficient to highlight the question, 'how important is technology in education'. It's probably scary to imagine a life without all the technology around us, as we're so much habitual to it. Using technology in education has become an intense topic of debate, as many scholars and experts are concerned that teaching computer and technology to school going students can give them access to inappropriate material and they may become over dependent on technology to learn new things. On the contrary, some believe what if they're not taught the advancement in latest technological developments they will be unable to compete in the information and communication dominated age. The solution to this debate will clear up after you have read the importance of technology in education, in this article.

Technology and Education

In case, you're wondering, 'how important is technology in education', then take a look at our past generations and compare the life we're living today. Had our forefathers not made revolutionary discoveries and produced series of technological breakthroughs, would our life be like it is today? Would it had been possible for us to gain so much knowledge and exchange information with everyone across the globe? And as our world is developing and global communication is taking a new dimension, technology has a great impact on our society, environment and life. Without making our children adapt to these growing technological advancements, won't we make a grave mistake?

Since our children are the builders of tomorrow, they must be in sync with the pace with which our society is transforming. When we focus on the history of technology in education, we find that children who have basic computer literacy and are aware about fundamentals of technology, perform better in their college and graduation years. It is a misconception that technology should only be studied by students who are studying technology related subjects. The mere fact is that use of technology in education has spread in every sphere of subjects, be it arts, commerce or science. And while a computer science engineering student needs to be aware of computer programming, an art student is not expected to know computer programming but certainly the art student has to be aware about using computers easily.

Moreover, to understand how important is technology in education, one has to understand that technology provides rich and varied experiences to students. Online education has become possible only due to the extensive use of technology in schools and colleges. Obtaining online degree programs has become easier by signing up for some simple certificate courses. A study conducted by an educational organization suggests that interaction with technology for students in the early years of life is better, as kids have an inherent ability to understand and grasp things faster. Moreover, reading, writing, analytical and visual skills of children have been found to improve after they've been trained in technology.

The importance of technology in schools can be attributed to the fact that through interactive video lectures, PowerPoint presentations and live explanation of science topics, kids have been able to develop a better understanding of various subjects. Video conferencing has made it easier for various schools to help their kids listen to important lectures by their teachers if they are not physically present in classrooms. Special education has become easier after introduction of technology in educational system for candidates who are unable to be taught some subjects due to physical limitations.

How important is technology in education? This answer can be best answered by considering the fact that the advent of technology in schools has made the administration process simpler and less ambiguous. School records, attendance and school database maintenance has become very simple, allowing the schooling system to be simpler. Lastly, how important is technology in education can be understood by the fact that it has become a need in today's scenario. Every job profile in today's work environment demands use of technology. There are both sides of the use of technology in schools but if we analyze pros then they certainly outweigh the cons, because ultimately technology is a necessity in today's life. What are your views? Share them with millions of readers by using our platform, right here in the comments column.

By Kundan Pandey