The What, the Why and the How of Technology Integration: Introduction

In this episode, Rob and Jared introduce their next series on technology integration. They talk about using technology as a teaching method to enhance a student’s understanding of the content rather than just integrating it for its own sake. Contact us at [email protected] with any questions. You can also visit our blog at cedarville.edu/focusblog for additional resources. 

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Early on as a teacher, Jared started exploring how technology integration could be used in his classes. He discovered that embracing technology integration allows both students to engage the content in a new way and the teacher to use it as a tool for enhancing a student’s understanding of the content. It isn’t about “technology for technology’s sake” but rather using technology as a teaching method that will serve the student. This concept of “technology as a tool” can aid a teacher in making content more accessible and understandable. 

Jared and Rob used ChatGPT to generate a list of the benefits of integrating technology into teaching and learning. Technology integration can increase effectiveness of content delivery, provide personalized instruction, and give helpful student data. It can also enhance collaboration and aid in research. However, when integrating technology, we must also consider accessibility of content and whether students have access to the technology.  

Students can learn 21st century skills through technology integration. However, technology integration can become a crutch for students, relying on the technology instead of thinking critically. Regardless of how we decide to integrate technology, we must consider our students first and whether the technology we choose will serve them best in understanding our content. 

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Resources 

Using digital technology to promote higher education learning: The importance of different learning activities and their relations to learning outcomes.  

Educational technology: How important is it in today’s education industry?