Can Technology Integration in American Classrooms Adequately and Correctly be Expressed as a Hierarchy?
Yes, technology integration in American classrooms can be expressed as a hierarchy.
Technology use by Americans is at different levels. Some have just discovered cell phones with picture capability while others can’t wait for the iPhone that combines iPod capabilities with phone, email, web browsing, picture and video. This is just one example of the wide digital divide experienced by technology users. Classrooms are a reflection of society. Therefore, technology integration in American classrooms is at different levels as well. Different levels by definition indicate a hierarchy. These levels of integration are directly correlated to the community in which the school is found. It has to do with several factors such as funds available and teacher experience and initiative.
I find the levels of technology integration easily identified in 4 categories:
1. Beginner integration: This is a level where the teachers are aware of technology, but are not very comfortable with it. They are intimidated by their own students’ high technology integration level. In this level the teacher is comfortable with the use of the intercom or television and VCR to show videotapes as instructor’s aids in the classroom. If there is a computer or overhead projector is used as a paperweight.
2. Intermediate integration: At this level, the classroom’s computer and overhead projector are put to use mainly with power point presentations and spreadsheets that show two-dimensional concepts. Students are merely presented the information.
3. Advance integration: At this level, in addition to a computer and overhead, there is a sound system and lighting to aid the view of any presentation. Still pictures and video with sound are utilized for a more interactive demonstration of concepts. Power points are automated and have animation. Students are encourage to participate and comment on the subjects presented
4. Expert integration: At this level, the classroom is a technology center with internet connectivity and a workstation for every student. The teacher has several roles to include that of facilitator with the students prone to bring up critical thinking issues.
It is important to note that the lines between the levels can be blurred at times depending on the ingenuity of teacher and students. For example, a school with low budget can have teachers that have great ingenuity and initiative and find a way to make an expert integration of technology in a beginner integration classrooms and vice versa.
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Hello
About Me
- Rosa
- Murrieta, California, United States
- I have been in the Marine Corps for over 20 years. I have to say that being in the military is not about money but about loving what you do. Pretty much like a teacher. When I look back, I see that the military has given me the opportunity to play many roles: student, teacher, instructor, mentor, peer and leader. I have learned a lot and I am thankful.
9 comments:
Good morning Rosa,
I always know that the knowledge about technology has many levels, but I never thought and clearly classify it as you did. I presume that I always busy to learn it therefore; I never have time to think about it. It seems to me that every time I turn around, there is always something new that challenge me to learn and to figure-out. I mean to learn from the beginning.
Talking about integration of tech. into classroom, in the past, all I have to do is learn how to use it. The better I know how to use the classroom technology, the easier my teaching job would be. At this level, I have to begin to learn how to plan, find out what technology is available, pick out, find out the cost, justify the need for that tech., and persuade people above me to buy. It is a lot of work. I am not talking about I must keep good relationship with everyone at work to get their support for what I want. And many more details that involve to get what I want. Many time I just wanted to drop the fight, but thinking about the students and the program; I keep on bugging “them”. (I use the word “fight” because there are always people trying their best to against or oppose what I think the students need.) I am not always getting what I want. “Their” all-time biggest weapon is “the budget”.
Anyway, it is good to read your article. I learnt from your writing.
I will talk to you in class on Tuesday about to set up the scholar links to your blog.
De Nguyen
I see you are getting ahead! I'm going to be posting class sessions 5 and 6 later this week!
Greetings Rosa,
I find your perspective on technology integration interesting.
I happen to share a similar view; this is one of many subjects where one makes a certain observation about something and somehow, we understand it. Actually verbalizing the subject brings it into a brighter light, where the subject can then be scrutinized in fine detail, in a similar way it is done in a Biology class, by dissecting and analyzing the parts or organs that make up the creature one has just opened up for study. I think you came up with really good observation on the topic. I just hope my analogy does not gross you out.
Hey Rosa,
I totally agree with your assessment that education/classrooms mirror technology in society, in that there are mixed levels and mixed interest. I will add, not sure if you agree, that this insight shows us the need and responsibility to continue our work at closing that "gap" or digital divide. I think it's our job to bring students up to date in technology as much as possible (or as much as their interest will allow us) simple because we know from current and past trends that technology use will only become more widespread in the future.
I like your clean crisp and cynical free approach to your levels :-) I agree with the blur nature of the levels.
Hello Rosa,
Very good points in your post. There will always be differences in the level of technology that individuals are at. Technology is ever changing, and so are people. The iPhone should be amazing when it comes out!
I think the 4 levels in your hierarchy are very details and descriptive. They give a very clear distinction of the various levels.
James
Hi Rosa,
You levels of hierarchy are wonderfully detailed. I got a great picture of what types of teachers you are talking about. Great post.
Good post Rosa!
Very detailed and eye-opening. I could easily get a visual of the types of teachers you described ( I even saw a few faces :-)).
Hi Rosa,
I agree with your description of the different levels, it provides a clear picture of teachers and technology.
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