This document discusses how technology can be used effectively in the classroom to engage today's students and prepare them for the future. It notes that students today have grown up with technology and have different learning styles than previous generations. While technology should not be used just for its own sake, the educational system needs to help students think critically and become lifelong learners by sorting through large amounts of information. Successful technology integration in schools requires support from administrators, trained teachers, adequate infrastructure, and ensuring students stay on task.

1. Using Technology in the Classroom
(The Theory)
In this presentation, we'll talk about:
How today's kids are different than they
were a decade or two ago.
Changing roles of education.
Things to keep in mind as you try to start
technology projects at your own school or
institution.

2. But first...
Here are some important things to keep in
mind:
It's not bad, it's not wrong, it's different.
Don't use technology for technology's sake.
Today's generation has grown up with
technology.

3. How Are Kids Different?
They are constantly surrounded by media.

4. How Are Kids Different?
Their attention spans are shorter.

5. How Are Kids Different?
They think things like work and school
should be entertaining by nature.

6. How Are Kids Different?
Part of their “self” is now contained online.

7. How Are Kids Different?
“Our newest generation – currently in K-12 – is
demonstrating for us the impact of having
developed under the digital wave. These youth have
been completely normalized by digital technologies
—it is a fully integrated aspect of their lives. Many
students in this group are using new media and
technologies to create new things in new ways, learn
new things in new ways, and communicate in new
ways with new people—behaviors that have become
hardwired in their ways of thinking and operating in
the world. Children are establishing a relationship
to knowledge gathering which is alien to their
parents and teachers.”

8. So, What's the Problem?
We are using Enlightenment era
philosophies of education in the Age of
Information.

9. So, What's the Problem?
The Enlightenment was a revolution in
education...
...but this is how they viewed education:

10. So, What's the Problem?
But we're living in the Information Age...
...and there's a LOT more information to
deal with:
bucket

11. Therefore...
Our educational system should:
Help students SORT information.
Help students THINK CRITICALLY.
Create LIFE-LONG LEARNERS.
Not force students to memorize USELESS
KNOWLEDGE.

12. Things to Think About:
“Exomemory”
What do people do when they don't know
something?

13. Things to Think About:
“Games, simulations, and social networking
are already permeating the workplace as
productivity and development tools – we
may be doing our students a large
disservice by not integrating these tools
into their education.”

14. Sounds Great! What next?
So, you want to use more technology in
your classroom?
Make sure you follow this checklist:

15. Your School:
Make sure that:
The administration is behind you.
You have the IT people to support your
project.
You have the appropriate technological
infrastructure (high-speed Internet,
updated computers, etc.)

16. Your Teachers:
Make sure that:
THEY know how to use the technology.
Their pedagogical approach is “tech-
friendly” (as discussed above).
They have / know where to get resources
(lesson plans, materials, online resources,
etc.)

17. Your Students:
Make sure that:
They know how to use the system and/or
hardware.
They will be interested and challenged by
the material
They do not get distracted by other
technological “diversions” when it's not
appropriate (e.g., Facebook).

18. Summary
Kids learn differently now than they used to.
It's not bad, it's just different.
We should be preparing our students for a
successful 21st century life. This may
mean rethinking “the way we've always
done it.”
Make sure your institution is FULLY
PREPARED before starting technology-
driven courses.

19. Questions or Comments?

20. Discussion Questions
How are you already using technology in
your institution?
How would you like to use technology in the
future?
If cost were not a problem, what would you
do at your institution?
What problems could arise when trying to
integrate technology in the classroom?