Rationale for Technology Integration: Why Use Technology?

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Determining rationale for the specific technology

• Technology solves an existing problem of access.

• Technology removes barriers that may exist for some students.

Rationale: Skills for the Information Age

• Technology Literacy– Technology literacy is the ability to responsibly use appropriate technology to

communicate, solve problems, and access, manage, integrate, evaluate, and create information to improve learning in all subject areas and to acquire lifelong knowledge and skills in the 21st century

• Information Literacy– The ability of a student to recognize when information is needed, and

to locate, evaluate, effectively use, and understand ethical issues related to information in its various formats.

• Visual Literacy– Visual literacy is the ability to interpret, negotiate, and make meaning

from information presented in the form of an image. Visual literacy is based on the idea that pictures can be “read” and that meaning can be communicated through a process of reading.

Rationale: Motivation

• Gains learner attention– Visual and interactive features

• Engages the student through production work– Promotes creativity, self-expression and esteem

• Increased perception of control– Students may be more motivated by feeling they are

in control of their learning/special implications for at-risk students (intrinsic motivation)

Rationale: Unique instructional capabilities

• Linking students to information and education sources outside of the classroom– Promotes multi-cultural awareness– Improves communication and research skills

• Helping students visualize problems and solutions

Rationale: Increased teacher productivity

• Help teachers cope with their ever-expanding paperwork load resulting in higher productivity– Resources

• Word processing• Spreadsheet• Database• Desktop publishing • Test generating software• E-mail and websites• Online research

Rationale: Assistive Technology

• Address the needs of low performing, at-risk, and students with learning disabilities– Repetition– Word prediction– Word processing– Graphic organizers– Speech to text– Text to speech– Lots more …

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Rationale: Universal Design for Learning

• New teaching and learning philosophy that provides a rationale for technology use.

• Helping all students achieve by:– identifying and removing barriers from teaching

methods and curriculum materials.

• Three kinds of flexibility: – representing information in multiple formats and

media. – providing multiple ways for students to express

knowledge. – providing multiple ways to engage students’ interest

and motivation.

Examples of Rationale

1. Technology: Using maps from the Internet.Rationale: Up-to-date information is available.

2. Technology: Using a word processor to type a report.Rationale: Editing a report is much easier.

3. Technology: providing access to e-books or audio book textbooksRationale: Printed materials are barrier for students who are not able to keep up with reading loads (slow or inefficient readers).

Examples of Rationale related to UDL

1. Technology: Using digital images to show examples of fractions (i.e. ½ a pizza).Rationale: Visual examples clarify concepts.

2. Technology: Creating a podcast in collaborative learning groups about global warming.Rationale: Active participation is motivating for students.

3. Technology: having students create a public service announcement related to energy conservation rather than write a reportRationale: Students who aren’t strong writers but know the material can tell you what they know.

UDL concept: Multiple options for representing information

UDL concept: Multiple options for engaging learners

UDL concept: Multiple options for expressing knowlege

Your task

In Groups

Using the information on the rationale for technology in education, create a podcast.

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