In order to integrate technology into the classroom setting you have to take the proper actions when introducing the technology. As a teacher, if you were to integrate technology into the classroom, you would need to be as informed as possible on that for of technology before using it with the students. The main argument against integrating technology is that if a teacher does not know how to properly use it, it could be harmful to the students learning. I believe that including technology in your classroom is a great tool, but as teachers we need to know how to properly use the technology with our students.
In order to use technology in the classroom, teachers go through quite a few obstacles. There are six main issues that you face; Administrative support, Unwillingness to change lesson plans, reluctance to incorporate technology into a new lesson plan, using technology as reward,using technology in addition to other activities, using technology to separate students based on ability. Working in a school has taught me that teachers need administrative approval for almost everything. If you have administration that isn't in favor of incorporating technology you will have a hard time getting the support to use it. Another thing I have seen working in schools is that the students love to be rewarded. In the class that I work with they are allowed fifteen minutes of computer time every time they have reached a certain behavior goal. This really encourages the students to do their best and to behave so that they will be rewarded.
Resources:
Maloy, Robert, Verock-O’Loughlin,Ruth-Ellen, Edwards, Sharon A., and Woolf, Beverly Park (2013). Transforming Learning with New Technologies. 2nd Edition. Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.
Tucker, Kayla. "Bubbl.us." Bubbl.us. 28 Nov. 2015. Web. 28 Nov. 2015.
Though it is true that you will need administrative support to really transform learning with technology, that is often the onus of the teacher to find research and demonstrate to faculty the importance of its use - and not just as a reward for good behavior or finishing work in a timely manner, but for truly transforming the way students learn and teachers teach! Nice use of Bubbl.us - just suggest you use the lines to create the relationships. Thanks for sharing your reflections.
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