Journal #9

“Four Steps to Standard Integration.”
By: Vanessa Domine

This article discusses four steps to integrating technology into the classroom. The author writes about how important this is and tries to make an easier way to put technology in the classrooms. Here are the four steps and the subject each one deals with. The first says to take inventory. She says for teachers to look at the resources available at their school that involve technology such as media programs, computers, etc. She also says that “Equally valuable [are] instructional technologies [such as] manipulative, books, TVs, VCRs, overhead projectors, microphones, cameras, and audio recorders.” Once the available resources have been found the teacher can focus on the curriculum content. The teacher may need to learn how to use some of the technology, but he or she should focus on the content for step 2. This next step states to establish a curriculum goal. A goal statement will help to simplify this process. Some examples of a goal for curriculum content would be to “enhance students reading skills, develop students’ understanding of physics.” The next step is to identify teaching strategies. Some examples would be “lecture, demonstration, large/small group discussion, collaboration, team-teaching, tutoring, hands-on practice, individual study, listening, brainstorming, question-and-answer, research, or media production.” This helps to get one organized and prepared to teach. The last step is to solve equation(s). The author uses this last step to finish the process. She says that you should lay out the three previous steps and develop a Technology Integration Matrix, which is explained in the table provided in the article. This is a great way to integrate diversity with technology in the classroom.

Q: How does this relate to diversity?
A: This is a way to make the learning environment and curriculum diverse. It can also help to teach all kids this topic.

Q: Which step seems to be the most important?
A: Step 4 seems to be the most important because this helps to bring all the steps together.