Curriculum Integration Technology for Elementary Learning

Technology integration is an important classroom practice. It is the use of technology resources, such as tablets, computers, cameras, etc., in daily classroom practices. Below is a video that I created that gives you an introduction to technology integration. 

Research and Frameworks

The video I created below gives some really good information about 5 different technology integration frameworks. Technology integration frameworks help the teacher make sure that technology is being used effectively. The 5 technology integration frameworks that are discussed are:
  • TIP (Technology integration planning)
  • SAMR Model
  • LoTi (Levels of Teaching Innovation)
  • TIM (Technology Integration Matrix)
  • TPACK

Setting the Standards

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has developed national technology standards for students, educators, ad ministrators, technology coaches, and computer science teachers. The link above takes you to the ISTE website where you can view all standards.

Setting standards for technology integration gives the teachers a criteria for what students should be taught, what technology integration is the most effective, and what technology integration is most helpful for future endeavors. There are student standards as well as educator standards. The student standards describe the skills and knowledge that they need to thrive, grow, and contribute in society. The educator standards define the digital age skills and pedagogical insights educators need to teach, work, and learn. 

Integrating Tech into Curriculum 

Successfully integrating technology in the classroom includes the students being more engaged and taking more control of their own learning. There is a lot of teacher preparation, observation, and reflection that takes place in order to effectively integrate technology. One goal of technology integration is seamless integration. Some questions that a teacher may consider when moving toward seamless integration are: 
  • What skills are applied to nearly all tools? Have your students mastered these basic skills?
  • How many different tools will you introduce this year? How many is too many?
  • How will technology help your students better understand content -- will it push them to a deeper understanding that could not have been achieved without technology?
  • What level of integration do you want in your classroom by the end of the school year? What specific steps must you take to achieve that goal? What is a realistic goal based on time and resources?

The teacher must consider what technology is available, if students will have to share technology, how the technology will be used, and much more. 

Management and Tech Integration

The video below that I created provides some best practices and management strategies for teachers who are integrating technology in the classroom. 

5E Lesson Plan

A 5E lesson plan is an alternate way to design instruction to help maximize student engagement. 5E stands for engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate. This type of lesson plan provides instruction that allows the students design instructional materials to demonstrate the ability to use technology to support active, engaged student learning with technology.