Tech Article ED243

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Confidence and Technology 
In the  

Classroom  

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ED: 243-05
Confidence and Technology

March 28, 2018
Haley Livingston
Dr. David Marshall
Brigham Young University-Idaho

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Table of Contents
Confidence and Technology…………………………………………………………… 5-8
Google Docs Advertisement……………………………………………………………...9
Trends in Multicultural Education……………………………………………………..10-14
Interview……………………………………………………………………………....15-18

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Abstract
In this paper, the effects that technology has on confidence of students will be discussed.
Technology is everywhere, and it affects everything. As educators, we need to understand the
effects that technology has on our students and this paper will help us understand the relation
between student confidence and technology. In this paper, a case study of technology in the
classroom will be looked at, different responses of students to technology in the classroom, and
teachers noticing the difference of students interest when technology is involved in the
classroom. In education, technology is becoming more and more commonplace in the classroom.
As educators, we need to understand how we can properly use this technology in our classroom.
As mentioned above, this paper will be studying the effects that technology has on the
confidence of students. In the various studies discussed in this paper, the effects that technology
had on student confidence was always positive. Students performed better, and had more
motivation to do their school work. It provided students with a different way to learn, because it
helped them see their school work in a different way and allowed them to take more control of
their personal learning styles and techniques. It allowed them to collaborate with their peers in a
different way, and was helpful to students learning how to communicate. In one particular study
in Oakland, CA discussed in this paper, a student said that she was more willing to open up and
share in the classroom, because her peers were opening up and sharing more through the
collaborative technology they were using in her classroom. This paper will be proving the
effectivity of using technology in the classroom to boost student confidence, and seeing the
effect that technology has on the learning abilities of our students.

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Technology is everywhere. It been involved with technology all of their
permeates our society and our homes. We lives. They are very adept at learning with it,
rely on technology for many different and understanding how to control it.
things; we can check the weather, know our Technology is something that students feel
bank balance, see current news and events, comfortable with, because they know how to
stay connected with family and friends, and learn and succeed with technology from a
accomplish work tasks. Technology helps us very young age. In a recent research project
accomplish things that we could not do on completed by the U.S. Board of Education it
our own. Technology has spread was noted that-
everywhere, including to our school systems
and to our classrooms. What are the effects Students, even at the elementary
of having technology in our classrooms? school level, are able to acquire an
Does it have a positive influence on our impressive level of skill with a broad
students, or are the effects harmful? range of computer software.
Although the specific software tools
In a 2017 study conducted by in use will likely change before these
Professor Matthew Lynch, it was noted that- students enter the world of work, the
“The inclusion of technology in the students acquire a basic
classroom has been shown to improve understanding of how various classes
student participation, information retention, of computer tools behave and a
and overall test performance. One reason for confidence about being able to learn
the success of educational tech is that it to use new tools that will support
boosts student confidence. Students who are their learning of new software
secure in their abilities, work harder and applications.” (Singh, R. 2016)
take their educations seriously”. Students As we continue using technology in the
will tend to try harder when they feel classroom, students will be able to continue
confident and successful in their work, and their growth in using technology, which will
technology is a way that students can feel help them prepare as they further their
successful. education, and prepare to work. Having
technology in the classroom boosts students
What makes students feel so confidence in their ability to learn crucial
confident in learning with technology? technical skills, and give them confidence in
Technology is such an integral part of our their ability to learn new things (Cambridge,
society. One reason students feel so 2015).
comfortable with technology is by the time Students appreciate the ability to be
they come into the classroom, they have able to communicate one with another and
collaborate with each other. Using
technology in the classroom is a very
effective way that students can accomplish
this goal. Through technology, sharing ideas
in the classroom, combining ideas, and
working together more effectively can
become a reality as students use applications
such as Google Docs, Microsoft Word,
Google Hangouts, and other online web
programs that will help them collaborate

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with each other. In a recent video put out by multiplication tables online, they will feel
Jo Paraiso, a 12th Grade teacher in Oakland, confident in their ability to complete the task
CA, she explains why she believes that of finishing the multiplication tables well
having technology in the classroom is such a and with minimal mistakes. Matthew Lynch
valuable tool for students- “There is a way (2017) reported-
to use technology that promotes
communication” (Paraiso, R. 2017. Sec, The ability to review your answers
00:39-00:41). In the video Ms. Paraiso on an online test or assignment can
experiments with engaging students in help students slow down and
online communication through Google consider their work. Those kids who
Hangouts. When she asked the students in lack confidence in themselves will
her classroom how using this online feel more able to trust their work
communication affected them, one student with a review. Particularly for
replied- “It made me feel comfortable, children who are nervous to answer
basically like my friends were engaging in in class​, the ability to type out their
this conversation so I could get engaged thoughts or ideas before presenting
too” ( Paraiso, R. 2017. 02:29-02:32). them is appealing.​ S​ ince
Students love and appreciate the ability to self-confidence will help your
feel comfortable in communicating one with students learn​ and grow in the
another, and using technology is a very classroom, the boost technology can
important way that we can help them polish give them is essential. (Lynch, M.
and refine their communication skills. 2017)
Helping kids learn in a different way
Technology is also very helpful in through technology will help improve their
helping students retain information being confidence as they succeed.
received. When using technology, students In conclusion, technology can help
learn the information being taught in a students learn and build confidence in a
different way than through listening to a variety of ways. First, students have
teacher lecture, or doing activities on paper. previous experience with technology before
Technology invites students to learn in a they come into the classroom, and so it is a
different way, a way that is more interactive, process of learning they are familiar with
and easier to assess their knowledge. For and will help them to feel comfortable and
example, if you are trying to help a child successful as they first begin school.
learn their multiplication tables, there are Students confidence will also increase as
online applications and games they can play they use technology, as it helps them learn
that will help them learn. Once they how to communicate and collaborate with
complete the game for the first time, they their fellow students. Technology has the
most likely won’t get everything right. power to increase student confidence as they
However, a benefit of playing an online learn differently through technology, and
game is that they can see the mistakes they have the ability to learn from their mistakes.
have made, and learn how to fix them. As Technology is way that we can build student
they continue to work diligently on their confidence, through learning and
communication.

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Reference Page
Kirkham, P. (2015). Digital technologies in
the classroom. C​ ambridge International
Examinations.

Retrieved from
http://www.cambridgeinternational.o
rg/images/271191-digital-technologi
es-in-the-classroom.pdf
Lynch, M. (2017). 9 ways that technology
boosts student confidence in the classroom.
The
Edvocate. R​ etrieved from
http://www.theedadvocate.org/9-way
s-technology-boosts-student-confidence-clas
sroom/
Paraiso, J. (2018). Using technology to
boost confidence. ​Teaching Channel. ​[video
file].
Retrieved from

https://www.teachingchannel.org/videos/tec
hnology-to-help-students-ousd
Singh, R. (2016). Effects of technology on
classrooms and students. ​Education Reform
Studies.

Retrieved from:
https://www2.ed.gov/pubs/EdReform
Studies/EdTech/effectsstudents.html

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ED: 243-05
Trends in Multicultural Education

Haley Livingston
March 19, 2018
Dr. David Marshall
Brigham Young University-Idaho

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Abstract
In this paper the current trend of multicultural education will be discussed. Multicultural
education is being able to accept and learn to love the differences in students. Multicultural
education has to deal with removing racism and biases, and understanding that all cultures and
students have important values to share with the classroom. Two specific trends will be talked
about in this paper, English Language Learner (ELL), and creating an inclusive classroom
culture.

English Language Learners are students whose first language is not English. In the
United States our school systems have a difficult time implementing students who do not speak
English into the classroom, and helping them to succeed. This trend of English Language
Learners helps us understand what we need to do to help these students succeed in learning
Academic English, and helping them speak, read, and write coherently and proficiently. There
will be several different methods of ELL mentioned, and how school systems are implementing
these programs to help students succeed academically.

The second trend in multicultural education discussed in this paper is that of creating an
inclusive classroom culture. Creating an environment of care and trust, or an inclusive classroom
culture, can seem an incredible task due to the increasing diversity found in our school systems
today. However difficult it may seem, creating these inclusive cultures is possible. This paper
will discuss various ways that creating this culture can be implemented, and how this culture can
affect the learning and success of students.

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This paper will prove that creating an inclusive classroom culture will help our students
become more successful in their education, and will help them throughout their lives. We will
also learn how having different languages and cultures in the classroom can be overcome.

In a common school classroom, it is left out, or picked on. They may not
likely that English is not the native language understand the values and expectations that
of some of the students. there is a vast the teacher has, because their culture is
variety of understanding that comes. vastly different from that of the teacher’s.
Educators being to understand that there This causes many students to have difficulty
many differences in the way students of in schools, because teachers do not
different cultures learn and react, and we understand their culture, or how to
need to learn how to help all students be accommodate to an individual student’s
successful. Most likely, not all students need and development. Multicultural
come from the same background and education is learning how to positively live
culture. Not all students will look the same with and understand the differences in
and have the same skin color. These various cultures and lifestyles. Multicultural
differences are what make us unique and education helps us understand how we can
special. It is because of these differences offer all students an education that will help
that we are able to learn and grow. However, them succeed on their path in life. There are
these differences also cause problems in the many trends in multicultural education that
classroom. Often times students from are affecting today such as, ELL (English
different backgrounds and cultures will feel

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Language Learners) and inclusive classroom number of ELs grew by roughly ​60 percent
culture.
over the past decade. ELs currently account
According to Sonia Nieto (2012), in
her book ​Affirming Diversity​, multicultural for nearly 10 percent of all students
education is described as such,
nationwide” (Hansen, M. & Quintero, D.,
Multicultural education is a process
of comprehensive school reform and 2017). Nearly 10 % of students in
basic education for all students. It
challenges and rejects racism and our school system today are striving to
other forms of discrimination in
schools and society and accepts and learning English as a second language in
affirms the pluralism that students,
their communities, and teachers school. Many students feel lost as they are
reflect. Multicultural education
permeates the school’s curriculum thrown into a school where nobody speaks
and instruction strategies as well as
the interactions among teachers, their native language, and they are not
students, and families and the very
way that schools conceptualize the receiving any additional help to learn the
nature of teaching and learning.
Because is uses critical pedagogy as content being taught in schools.
its underlying philosophy and
focuses on knowledge, reflections, Multicultural education teaches us that we
and action as the basis for social
change, multicultural education need to help these students learn English in a
promotes democratic principles of
social justice. (p. 42). way that will benefit them in the future. We
When educators are familiar with the
principles and concepts in multicultural need to help them learn and understand
education, there is a vast variety of
understanding that comes. Educators begin Academic English. At the same time them
to understand that there are many different
ways students of different cultures learn and understand that speaking their native
react, and we need to learn how to help all
students be successful. language is still important. There are many
One trend in multicultural education,
is helping students learn English as a second different ways that classrooms are trying to
language, otherwise known as English
Language Learners (ELL). English include ELL in their curriculum and
Language Learners are students whose first
language is not English, and they are pedagogy. Some of these ideas include using
attending a school whose main language is
English. “E​nglish learners (ELs) is the most an ELL follower, an ELL class period,
rapidly growing subgroup of public school
students across the United States—the sheltered instruction and content based

programs, and two-way dual language.

These programs are all being implemented

in schools around the United States, to try

and figure out how we can best serve the

students who are learning the English

language.

Discovering how to best help and assist

these ELL students in our school system is a

very important trend in our current society.

Another trend in our school systems

relating to multicultural education is

creating an inclusive classroom culture. “A​ n

inclusive classroom is one that values the

contributions of all students, their families

and communities. It recognises that every

learner is unique and builds on their

languages, cultures, and interests; and

identifies and removes any barriers to

achievement” (Robinson, J., 2011).

As our society becomes increasingly

more diverse and students have varying

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values and cultures, creating an inclusive increasingly diverse our classrooms are
classroom culture can appear to be becoming.
somewhat of a daunting task. Teachers have
the responsibility to include all students in As we begin to practice multicultural
the classroom, but how can we do that? The education in our classrooms, we will be able
main idea and value of an inclusive to help all students grow and progress.
classroom culture, is for the students to feel Multicultural education is being open to new
as if they are valued and have something to ideas and cultures, it is alleviating racism
contribute. If one culture is favored above and bias, and helping students prepare for
another, having an inclusive culture will not the future. We have the responsibility to
be possible. In our classrooms we need to be teach our students in a way that will help
aware that we need to treat all students as if them grow and progress, and that is why
they have something to offer, and value the multicultural education is a trend that is
cultures, traditions, and ideas of each receiving much attention and consideration
individual students. We have the at the this time, in our current school
responsibility as educators to help our systems. Implementing multicultural
students grow and receive an education that education in our classrooms around the
will help them throughout their lives. This is United States of America, will help our
a current trend in our society because of how schools grow as we prepare more students
for success as we are understanding and
Word Count: 1037 willing to accept and love differences in our
classroom.
Reference Page
(Hansen, M. & Quintero, D. (2017). English http://inclusive.tki.org.nz/guides/dev
language learners and the growing need for eloping-an-inclusive-classroom-culture/

qualified teachers. ​Brookings.
Retrieved from

https://www.brookings.edu/blog/bro
wn-center-chalkboard/2017/06/02/english-le
ar

ners-and-the-growing-need-for-quali
fied-teachers/
Nieto, S. & Bode, P. (2012) ​Affirming
diversity: The sociopolitical context of
multicultural education. B​ oston: Pearson
Education.

Robinson, J. (2011). Developing an
inclusive classroom culture. I​ nclusive
Education

Guide for Schools. ​Retrieved from

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INTERVIEW QUESTIONS technology in the classroom. I want
the students to have human
Interview Questions with Heidi interactions.
Christensen​ (Bachelors in University 5.) Do you like having technology in your
Studies and Health Outdoor and Physical classroom?
Education from BYU-I. Professor at BYU-I ● I don’t really use it so I guess it’s
of Family Recreation.) okay. If somebody wants to show a
Youtube video it’s good, so those
1.) What changes have you noticed in the kinds of things are nice.
classroom as technology has been ●
implemented? Interview Questions with Marc Bunker
(Bachelors in Elementary Education from
● Kids are a lot less responsible with BYU-I. Principle of Swan River Elementary
I-Learn. If its not on I-learn they School in Bigfork, Montana.)
don’t do it. They don’t have to think
for themselves. 1.) What changes have you noticed in
the classroom/school as technology
2.) What kind of technology is used in your has been implemented?
classroom? ● T​ eachers and students are
relying on technology more.
● The only thing I do is I-Learn. I We use less paper. We have
don’t believe in Power Points and I gotten rid of encyclopedias
don’t let the students do power and dictionaries, and have not
points. They don’t even turn in their purchased any new textbooks
assignments in I-Learn, everything is in my six years here. As we
physical. update curriculum, we are
considering using online
3.) How often does outside technology resources. Technology is
(phones, tablets, ipads, etc.) influence the expensive to purchase and
classroom? maintain, but the counter
argument is that it is more of
● ALL THE TIME. The kids are very an upfront expense, and in
rude with their technology. Even the long run it is supposed to
when I ask them to put it away, they save money and time. As
won’t. I don’t let them bring one example, we are
computers to class but they still bring finishing updating our
their phones and are on them technology infrastructure--a
constantly. project that has taken two

4.) How has technology helped/hindered in
your classroom?

● Where I am coming from it is more
of a humanities class, so I like it to
be more human based instead of
technology. I don’t really believe in

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years at a cost of about driven and spent money on
$20,000. technology, handed it to teachers,
2.) What kind of technology is used in your and it was never used. I prefer to
classroom? wait until my teachers ask for it, then
● We use Google apps for education, we try to get it for them. I figure if
they ask me, they want it, and will
Google Classroom and use it, which only then makes it a
worthwhile investment. Technology
Chromebooks. Our teachers are also is expensive. With that approach,
however, we also need to have a plan
using a lot of various online on how to expose teachers to new
technology so that they can begin to
resources. We do have interactive think about how it might help them.
They can't ask for something that
whiteboards. The most recent thing they don't know exists.
5.) Do you like having technology in your
is our 5th grade classroom is classroom?

utilizing 3D printers, having students ● To an extent, but I'm not as crazy

design and print things. Mrs. Emslie about it as I think most others are.

was just featured on a Robo 3D In fact, I'm scaling back the use of

printer video. Here is the link... technology in some areas of my

https://youtu.be/vx8FGsQIgwc life right now. I like technology
●
3.) How often does outside technology when it works, but I find it to be
(phones, tablets, ipads, etc.) influence the
classroom? long on capability and shorter on
● 5th grade is using technology every
hour of every day. On the other end dependability--those values are
of the spectrum, 3rd grade doesn't
use it nearly as much. I'm okay with backwards to me. As noted
that. Our 3rd grade is more centered
on outdoor and physical activity. earlier, it is expensive to purchase
4.) How has technology helped/hindered in
your classroom/school? and maintain. There is also a
● One debate that exists in our school
is basically whether our purchasing constant demand for time in order
technology materials should be
supply driven (get one in the hands to learn and keep up-to-date.
of every student) or demand driven
(purchase new ones as demanded). Having our students become
I'm pretty firmly in that latter camp.
I worked in a couple other school technologically literate is
districts that were more supply
important because that is the way

things are going as we look to the

future. Technology in education is

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being pushed, but I wonder if that 3.) How often does outside technology
(phones, tablets, ipads, etc.) influence the
originates more from urban areas classroom?

that may not have much else to ● Constantly. Without a doubt, it is an
escape for kids that get bored, unless
offer. In Montana, we have a lot teachers aren’t very good about it.
For elementary and junior high, it
to offer in terms of our natural wasn’t really that big of a problem
because teachers would crack down.
surroundings. We can't forget But in high school, is were we have
to learn a balance, because teachers
about that marvelous and unique aren’t as hard. At university it
doesn’t disrupt the classroom as
opportunity. It will help our much, because students want to be
here. In my experience, outside
young people to have a healthy technology only makes it way into
what I am doing when I am not
balance. excited about what I am doing, or the
teacher hasn’t set up class time
Interview Questions with Evan Grace effectively and isn’t conveying
(Senior at BYU-I studying Computer information well.
Engineering. )
4.) How has technology helped/hindered in
1.) What changes have you noticed in your classroom?
the classroom as technology has
been implemented? ● I have a problem with getting
● It is easy for kids to use distractions, so when I am looking to
because kids are used to it. It get distracted outside technology is a
enabled me to access more really easy source for me. On the
information. other hand, outside technology isn’t
that much of outside technology
2.) What kind of technology is used in your because of how often it is used in my
classroom? major. With technology that we are
given in our classes enables me to
● In elementary school we used old learn at a much quicker pace than if
laptops. In junior high we didn’t we didn’t have the technology. It
really use technology that much. also allows me to immediately test
Actually we did have computers. The things I have predictions about.
biggest thing we did with technology
in grade school and junior high was 5.) Do you like having technology in your
find out how to find credible sources classroom?
and use word processing. Once I got
to university and into a technology
related field, I use technology for all
of my school work. I am constantly
figuring out how to use it better.

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● If I didn’t have it, I wouldn’t be able Interview Questions with Lisa Livingston
to learn. Straight up, it wouldn’t (Associate’s in General Education from
happen. The rate of learning know Southern Nevada Community College.
with technology is not even Substitute at Swan River Elementary
comparable to the rate of learning I School)
would have if I didn’t have
technology. 1.) What changes have you noticed in the
classroom as technology has been
Interview Questions with Logan implemented?
Livingston ​(8th grade student at Swan River
School) ● It is easier for the students to
accomplish tasks because they have
1.) What changes have you noticed in the computers to use instead of books. It
classroom as technology has been is easier for them to locate
implemented? information.

● It is easier to do projects and 2.) What kind of technology is used in your
assignments when the internet is classroom?
working well.
● Mostly Chromebooks.
2.) What kind of technology is used in your 3.) How often does outside technology
classroom? (phones, tablets, ipads, etc.) influence the
classroom?
● We use Chromebooks or Computers.
3.) How often does outside technology ● Never.
(phones, tablets, ipads, etc.) influence the 4.) How has technology helped/hindered in
classroom? your classroom?

● We aren’t allowed to have phones in ● I don’t really know that it has
so it never bothers us. hindered. Sometimes the students
start to play games when you are not
4.) How has technology helped/hindered in looking, so that is hindering a little
your classroom? bit. But, it is a lot easier to get
information for the students instead
● It is helpful. It is just some stuff that of having to use books and
is easier to get done and quicker, I encyclopedias.
can understand things more.
5.) Do you like having technology in your
5.) Do you like having technology in your classroom?
classroom?
● Yes, I do.
● Yes.

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