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Patty Roosma
IT 442
Why Integrate Technology
May 24, 2016
When I think about technology I personally define it as, any electronic device that can be
used to positively benefit a child learning. That positive benefit can be within a classroom; with
family; social situations, and in the community. When I am considering using technology in my
own classroom I want to make sure Im using a tool that is appropriate for the specific child or
situation I am in. As we have talked about in class there are a lot of tools and apps out there but
not all of them are high quality tools for children or the classroom. When used well, The active,
appropriate use of technology and media can support and extend traditional materials in valuable
ways. Research points to the positive effects of technology in childrens learning and
development, both cognitive and social. (Technology and Interactive Media as Tools p. 7) We
dont want to replace active play with computer programs nor do we want to skip out on using
technology because its not what we are used to. As the quote states an appropriate use extends
learning; I might consider using is as a means for children to extend their thinking on a task.
When we used the Explain Everything App, it was very helpful when I asked my group to
explain how water moves. I can see how I could use in other ways for children to explain their
thinking more.
As I use and teach technology in my future classroom digital citizenship is something I
see as very important to teach children. We cant assume children will know what is appropriate
and what is not appropriate online behavior. I understand children will want to test boundaries
and explore possibilities, but they also need to learn best practice. Just as children learn from our
physical modeling they learn from our digital modeling too. The article states our responsibility

well when it says, Adults have a responsibility to protect and empower childrento protect
them in a way that helps them develop the skills they need to ultimately protect themselves as
they growand to help children learn to ask questions and think critically about the technologies
and media they use (Technology and Interactive Media as Tools p. 10) As adults we need to be
mindful of the online safety of all children; teaching them skills that will keep them safe in their
futures.
My theoretical framework of teaching is something that is still developing; at its core is a
strong belief that all children are individual learners and have diverse needs. At this point in my
experience I would say technology is an important part of how I will meet the needs of diverse
learners. The article, 27 tools for diverse learners introduces many great tools. The beginning of
the article states, According to the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework, flexibility
is key because it allows educators to accommodate their students natural variability in learning
styles and preferences. While UDL is not just about technology, this idea is at the heart of how
technology can make personalized learning a reality. (Perez, Grant 2015) If I believe children
learn as individuals I will need to be able to personalize learning; technology will be an asset in
this area.
In my own experience in school I struggled learning to read. My teachers would give me
books on tape to listen to at home so I could know what the class was doing when we studied a
book together. I remember feeling singled out in those experience. I felt as if I shouldnt be
listening to those tapes or that I was the only one who needed them. That wasnt the case; many
other students used them as well. In my experience the use of technology in audio book didnt
seem effective because of how they were presented to me. I think technology can be effective for
learning if a child who is using that technology sees it as a tool not as something they need to use

because they dont understand or learn the way other students do. In the article, Digital Story
Helps Dual Language Learner Connect with Classmates the story of Chinese boy who was
having trouble connecting and communicating with his classmates used an IPad to take pictures
of his family and explain to his class. Though this may seem simple it, This digital family story
served a pivotal role in helping this child integrate into the classroom community and helped him
to make meaningful connections with other children about shared topics of interest. It also
helped him build his English language skills. (Bales) This article provides evidence that
technology can be effective for learning.
In a classroom there are appropriate times to used technology and there are times to not
use it. We shouldnt use it when it gets in the way of time to learn; for example, if the majority of
time is used to set up for using the technology but in the end not much learning happens, then its
not benefiting the students. We shouldnt use it if its going to cause an unequitable situation at
home; using something at school that can only be accessed by a specific device or program. For
example, a Mac only program where kids need it to complete an assignment outside class would
be an unequitable situation. We shouldnt use programs that dont further learning; for example,
mindless games. Sometimes these type of grams can be used as a reward but not as whole
group instruction. Technology should be used to enhance childrens learning. In our science
practicum last quarter, I showed videos of construction work on buildings because we were
studying construction; this was a way to enhance the childrens learning. The used of pictures is a
very powerful tool, especially in early childhood classrooms. When we can show children
examples of what they are studying it strengthens that learning. I think technology is a powerful
tool to show different means of showing knowledge. For example, programs like Padlet where
students can type out their answers or ideas; this allows students who many not be as

comfortable speaking up in class the chance to express their thinking in a comfortable way.
When was in elementary and middle school this would have been a great tool for me; being shy I
never liked to talk in class. In the end whats appropriate depends on your students; knowing
what they do well with and what is most beneficial to the class as a whole is what will lead my
technology decisions as a teacher.
Technology can be a barrier to family engagement. I think about how much technology
has changed in my life time; then I think about my parents lifetime. Not only are there still issue
of access to technology but also issues of knowledge of using that technology. Equity in
technology resource are still an issue in our culture; Internet in their homes, begin using the
Internet at an early age, and have highly developed technology skills and beginning digital
literacy when they enter school. Children in families with fewer resources may have little or no
access to the latest technologies in their homes, early childhood settings, schools, or
communities. (Technology and Interactive Media as Tools p. 4) Children learn so much about
technology from having access as well as parents and teachers who know how to used that
technology. As educators we are helping create equity, When educators appropriately integrate
technology and interactive media into their classrooms, equity and access are addressed by
providing opportunities for all children to participate and learn. (Technology and Interactive
Media as Tools p. 4) When it comes to facilitating family engagement I think its important to
know what resource the families have and work with those resource to make technology
beneficial for the children in the classroom. Technology is an amazing, and overwhelming
resource; taking time to learn something new and not being afraid to try out ideas is what will
further my use of technology in my future classroom.

References
D. B. Digital Story Helps Dual Language Learner Connect with Classmates | National
Association for the Education of Young Children | NAEYC. Retrieved May 23, 2016, from
http://www.naeyc.org/technology/digital-story-helps-dual-language-learner.
L. P., & K. G. 27 tools for diverse learners. Retrieved May 23, 2016, from
https://www.iste.org/explore/articleDetail?articleid=434.
Technology and Interactive Media as Tools in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from
Birth through Age 8. (2012). Retrieved from
http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/PS_technology_WEB.pdf.