Post: Using websites in the classroom

This week I had to research an article discussing the effects of using technology (ex. websites, blogs, etc.) in the classroom. I read an article titled "Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students". The article identified 7 benefits resulting in increased use of technology within the classroom. Those 7 benefits include

• a change in student and teacher roles
• increased motivation and self-esteem
• increased level of technical skills
• accomplishing more complex tasks
• increased collaboration with peers
• an increase use of outside resources
• improved design skills

The article points out that through the use of technology the students take on a more active role in their learning. Students are "actively making choices about how to generate, obtain, manipulate, or display information" and the teacher is seen more as the "facilitator...providing guidelines...and providing suggestions and support for the students." (Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students)

Further the article referenced the increased motivation of the students. "[T]echnology provid[es] a venue in which a wider range of students can excel...[and]... different ways in which students can show what they understand." (Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students)

In my opinion this article was worth reading. It enlightened many areas of concerns some educators may have about incorporating technology into their classrooms.

link: http://2.ed.gov/pubs/EdreformStudies/EdTech/effectsstudents.html