EDUC 422 Article 1-Haley Hemrich

"What is Technology's Role in School Improvement?"

The article expressed the technology's role as "meeting the needs of all students". This meaning, the teacher must begin where each student is, in regards to his/her developmental level. The goal is to integrate technology to provide individual learning across all subjects, if possible. Shari Camhi explains that technology needs to be aligned to the curriculum, while sparking student interest. Teachers have incorporated a variety of technological tools in the classroom, that include: Wiki, blogs, chat rooms, podcast, and much more. Sarah Rolle is in charge of an act that will allow students to access more resources online, in an effort to "unlock learning". This article encourages people to take the initiative and attend conferences to promote utilization of technology in schools. The program is called the "ISTE 2010", is aligned with the ISTE standards and is held annually. 

Teachers can enforce the use of technology in a variety of ways. Some ways, I believe, are better than others, but most technological tools promote student learning. This article asks parents and teachers to take a stand and incorporate more technology use in the classroom. I think this is a wonderful initiative due to the fact that teachers need an abundant amount of resources to aid in teaching the mass amounts of standards that are required by the government. These days, classrooms are so diverse and there are many different developmental levels to address. Technological tools can help reinforce concepts for all students to see, learn and come to understand. For example, an interactive Smart Board lesson provides students with extra visuals and hands-on learning. This would be very helpful to English Language Learners to have those extra aids. Also, blogging and podcasts are awesome tools to integrate student ideas, opinions and work through communication and collaboration. Technology's role in the classroom is to act as another learning tool to assist instructors and promote student learning.

This article addressed two of the "ISTE NETS Standards for Students", along with others. "Communication and Collaboration" was discussed in the article's reflection, in regards to student-blogs and podcasts that could be used as an extra aid for students at home or in the classroom. The article touched upon the "Technology Operations and Concepts" Standard by asking parents and teachers to implement new technology to better the classroom instruction.

McAnear, A. (2010). What is Technology's Role in School Improvement? Learning & Leading with     Technology. (37)5. 5-6. Retrieved from http://www.learningandleading.digital.com/learning_leading/201002#pg7