ED 243 Magazine Project PDF

Bourland 1

Techy Tots

How Children are Using Technology in Their
Classrooms

Jennifer Bourland
ED 243:05

Bourland 2

Table of Contents

Title Page………………………………………………………………………1
Table of Contents……………………………………………………………....2
Abstract…………………………………………………………………………3
About the Author……………………………………………………………….4
Techy Tots…… ………………………………………………………………5
Stake Holder Interview Questions……………………….……………………..8
Sources…………………………………………………………………………14

Bourland 3

Abstract

Teachers all around the world are beginning to switch to a more technological approach in the
classroom. Technology is always advancing, and the human race is doing what it can to keep up
with it. Curriculum in schools are always changing as well, and when we look at the relationship
between the technology increase in classrooms, we see it correspond with curriculum changes as
well. Schools for all ages are beginning to do what they can to keep up with these changes, and
are seeing a difference in their students. Students around the world, and especially in the United
States, are demanding a difference in their education. Children are becoming more
technologically advanced as new ideas and devices are coming out, so using old methods in
schools are not working as effectively for this generation anymore. Kids become bored faster,
and need a change of pace. Teachers are not blind to this fact, and most are doing what they can
to switch up their methods. Classrooms have switched from chalkboards, to projectors, to
smartboards, to laptops, to now ipads. Kids are now actually owning their own devices at an
earlier age, which means they are learning different habits and interact in different ways than
generations before. So how are teachers accommodating for this, and putting this to good use in
their classrooms? They are discovering ways to bring it into their lessons, and have the students
interact with technology in ways that are helping them learn the best way they can. Schools have
seen a particular increase in enthusiasm for reading lessons with technology, getting students to
learn faster and more effectively. Of course, there are downfalls to this new way of learning, just
as there always will be to new plans being implemented. However, there has also been so much
progress seen, and more to be discovered in the future. (311)

Bourland 4

About the Author
Jennifer Bourland

Jennifer Bourland is a college student from Kentucky, attending BYU-Idaho. She grew
up in a small town in central Kentucky, loving every minute of it. She comes from a family of
five, and is the youngest of three kids. She has one brother who is seven years older, and a sister
who is two years older. She also has a baby niece and two family dogs that she loves so much.
Jennifer enjoys every minute of summer, always looking for new adventures during the season.
She loves hiking, swimming, wakeboarding, running, soccer, mountain biking, and many other
activities that gets her outside to enjoy the weather.

As she progressed through her schooling years, she had a particular interest in kids-
always babysitting and volunteering with them. As she went into college, she came to realize her
passion for teaching and getting to know young children through experiences in schools and
teaching opportunities. She started the education program, and everything seemed to fit into
place just the way it needed to. She is enthusiastic about learning herself, and sharing that
knowledge with the other people around her, especially young students that she interacts with.

As she has gone throughout her own school years, she’s realized a drastic change from
her beginning years to today. Education is constantly changing, and new ideas are always being
thought of, and implemented into the classroom. One of the main ideas she has come to notice is
the idea of technology in the classroom. This is something we are seeing more of every day, and
new technology is constantly being thought of. She is on the hunt to see what kinds of new
technologies are being brought into the classroom, and what kinds of pros and cons are
happening for your students as a result of these changes. (302)

What is Happening in our Bourland 5
Classrooms?
Why are Teachers Moving to
Teachers throughout the world are rapidly Technology to Teach?
turning to technology for the benefit of the
classroom. Every day there are new Some may ask why teachers are moving
technological advances being brought up students in a direction where they are
for our use in entertainment, work, and/or relying even more heavily on technology.
productivity. Teachers around the globe Their sources of fun and entertainment are
are taking advantage of this, giving their moving in this direction already, why cause
students opportunity this movement to happen faster? When we
to learn in a way that look at our world and our society, we see so
is effective for them,
and new to the many technological
educational system. advances happening.
There are new ways This is not always a bad
to use technology in thing. Technology helps
the classroom for us in many different
teachers and students ways. One thing that it
benefits, such as has in common with
interactive teaching education is that it is
websites, classroom always changing.
ipads and computers, Education is always
and websites/ apps that allow teachers to changing its curriculum,
get in contact with parents more and what the most
effectively. Some of the best teachers we effective ways to teach
hear about find some way to implement are, and let’s face it: if
new technologies in their classroom. An education is changing to fit the needs of the
article called The Coordinators and the students today, technology is going to be a
Teachers: A Description of Exemplary Use of part of it. Students respond to technology,
Technology in the Elementary Classroom and they find it fun. There are so many
states that, “Exemplary teachers spend a lot of good uses for it, and ways to incorporate it
time learning about technology - 75% percent into a good fun-filled lesson, where students
of them reported that they had spent more are actually learning. If we were to teach
than 5 days within the last school year learning the same way teachers did one hundred
to use technology” (Berg, S., Benz, C., Lasley, T., years ago, we would not have the same kind
& Raisch, D.,1997). of enthusiasm that we have in schools today.
No child would be excited to come to
school, and no student would learn in the
best way that they can. In an article named
Predictors of Teacher-Directed Student Use
of Technology in Elementary Classrooms,
we are told that, “essentially, teachers who
have more access to technology and who
have more experience with technology
appear to be more comfortable with

technology and, therefore, use technology Bourland 6
more frequently than teachers who have less
access and less experience” (Miranda, H., & was part of their basal reading program.
Russell, M., 2011). This being said, you Used in this way, multimedia displays
will probably find more technology being fostered children's interest and engagement
used as the years go on and new teachers in the content and skills of their reading
come into the work force, while older lessons” (McDermott, P., 2016). Smart
teachers move out. The study in this article Boards are an easy-to-access way that
shows how teacher-directed use of teachers are using technology to teach their
technology in the classroom have helped students in ways that they understand. Using
students, and have allowed them to come to these resources we have been given,
understand topics in ways that they can keep children are gaining more enthusiasm to
up with and have a good time with as well. learn, and a love for subjects they may have
never gotten before. Technology speaks to
What are Teachers Using students and kids in ways that the traditional
Technology For? way of teaching can’t. They understand that
language, and they get excited about it.
One of the main ways we see teachers They want to practice skills learned in the
implementing new technology is in reading classroom on technology, so they can use
lessons. Learning how to read can be a resources they are familiar with. These
difficult thing for some kids, and sitting techniques can help teachers also, not just
them down with a book can be a task that the children. Teachers can come up with
discourages activities, or find websites that have
students from activities, using technology. We can come
progressing if they
aren’t up with different ways to use
understanding how it, so that our classroom can
word sounds work. be an environment where
There is a study students are happy to be.
done on an When students are excited to
Elementary School be there, teachers can teach
that shows how their students with more ease
teachers are using and respect from the kids.
different forms of technology to influence They can also use
their reading and spelling lessons. It tells us technology as a resource of
that, “all the teachers used their Smart incentives for students.
Boards to display multimedia texts from the Sometimes, it is rewarding
basal reader programs. This pattern ran for both parties to have an incentive for
across all grade levels. The Smart Boards accomplishing a goal. For example, if the
provided easy access for displaying images whole class passes a spelling exam, they can
and photos, video, sound, and text. It was a have 10 minutes of extra computer time, or
resource all the teachers frequently used and can play a game on technology during recess
time, or for a “fast-finishers” activity.

Technology has proven to be a useful
resource in school for all ages, and it will
continue to be so as long as our world is

becoming more technologically advanced. Bourland 7
Teachers and schools can impress parents
and students by implementing more Let’s Get Technical!
technology into their classrooms during
lessons. Through this, kids will be able to Technology has its downfalls, as would any
learn much faster, and teachers will be able new thing that come up. However, it also
to gain the trust of our students much more has so many advantages! Students are
easily. learning more rapidly that before, and they
are excited to learn! We have been given
Dangers and Warnings of these resources to use, and so many teachers
Technology around the world are taking advantage of
them to help their classrooms. Will You
Of course, there will be dangers to join the teaching community in doing so to?
using more technology in classrooms. There (1,205)
are always threats with technology. This is
why it is so important for schools to
implement procedures, and rules when using
any form of technology. There can be, and
needs to be, blocks on certain websites, rules
for what websites students can use, what to
do if there is a pop-up or problem that is out
of our control, and what websites teachers
are and are not allowed to use while in the
building as well. These procedures will help
technology become a positive change in
schools, and help avoid all other problems
that can occur during the time we use. This
can also help kids realize that technological
resources in the classroom is a privilege, not
a necessity, which could help them
understand how to follow specific rules.

Bourland 8

Interview Questions

Ami Loder
H. Guy Child Elementary School
District 106
Graduated from University of Kentucky
Q 1. Why is education important to you?

A 1. Education is one of the few things life that you can earn, and once you have it no one can
take it away from you. Education helps us make good decisions in life and allows us to become
independent productive citizens. Education empowers us to be dreamers and creators of a better
future. As we learn we strengthen our understanding of the world around us. Our mind is a
wonderful gift and tool.

Q 2. What do you feel education is lacking these days?

A 2. I think in education we are so focused on academics, we often overlook the social and
emotional needs of our students. Teachers need more resources and training to help us address
these aspects of our students.

Q 3. In your opinion, what is one of the most important skills as a teacher?

A 3. Perseverance. Education is not an easy profession. Everyone has their ups and downs, their
highs and lows. It is very easy to lose sight at what we are truly there to do. As educators, we
have to remember our goal and vision at all times.

Q 4. How has technology in the classroom helped you in your classroom?

A 4. Technology is a great way to achieve high levels of engagement. It also allows us to give
immediate feedback to students on their performance. Technology can allow us to differentiate
our instruction to reach all learners at all levels of academic performance. It can increase our
depth of knowledge (DOK) experiences in our classroom.

Q 5. How do you think teachers should address technology in the classroom?
A 5. I think technology should be used to enhance highly engaging lessons and instruction. I do
not think it should be used to replace professional educators in a classroom. I have often heard of
people saying that in the future teachers will be a “guide on the side” of computerized
instruction. I do not agree with this statement. When used with highly engaging and rich

Bourland 9

instruction from a teacher, technology can help students reach their maximum potential. As I
mentioned in question 4, technology can immensely help educators in giving feedback and
differentiating instruction. Lessons led by an instructor, with technology as a learning enhancing
tool, can lead students to a greater educational experience.

Kelly Treadway

H. Guy Child Elementary School

District 106

Q 1. Why is education important to you?

A 1. Education feels like home to me whether I am in the role of student or teacher. I have
always felt comfortable and happy in the classroom. It is important to me because I want others
to feel that too.

Q2. What do you feel education is lacking these days?

A2. I really cannot stand the politics of it all. I think it is lacking teacher voice in policy and
decision-making. I also feel that politicians, businesses, and parents (to be honest) do not respect
the profession in America.

Q3. In your opinion, what is one of the most important skills as a teacher?

A3. The ability to manage large groups of children. Classroom management is one of the most
difficult aspects of teaching. If you have good procedures and stick with it, there is success to be
had.

Q4. How has technology in the classroom helped you in your classroom?

A4. I wish I had more access to technology. To be honest, I would try to go paperless if I had one
to one technology. The students are super engaged with technology and that is very helpful as a
teacher. I love having any sort of technology in the classroom.

Q5. How do you think teachers should address technology in the classroom?

A5. I think teachers should use technology in ways that make their life easier. I love assessments
that can be graded through technology and also give reports on standards that need to be retaught
and addressed.

Bourland 10

Beth Martinez
Lincoln Elementary School
District 321
Q1. Why is education important to you?
A1. Education is important to me because it is the foundation of your learning. It is where you learn how
to read, write, and communicate with others. Education is not only the standards that you are
teaching, but it is also the skills and qualities you are developing in each person in order for them
be a well-rounded member of the community.

Q2. What do you feel education is lacking these days?

A2. At times, I feel that education is lacking the fun or play that I had as a child. We are so
overwhelmed with trying to teach all the concepts in the short amount of time that we have, we
forget that these students are still kids and they need to find joy in what they are learning. Yes,
we can pull in some of those fun activities from time to time, but our teaching manuals need to
incorporate them more.

Q3. In your opinion, what is one of the most important skills as a teacher?

A3. One of the most important skills as a teacher is to be flexible. Lessons may not go as
planned, something comes up and it causes a change in schedule, you have no internet for the
day, all these things may happen, and you just need to adjust to what is happening and roll with
it. You cannot let the little things get to you. You need to look at the whole picture and always
keep your composure, no matter what happens.

Q4. How has technology in the classroom helped you in your classroom?

A4. Technology has helped in my classroom by providing students the opportunity to practice skills that
have been taught, it allows students to learn through different modalities rather than always
listening to the teacher, and it provides up-to-date information right at your fingertips.

Q5. How do you think teachers should address technology in the classroom?

A5. Teachers should address technology in the classroom by making the most of every opportunity. This
generation has been using technology as toddlers, and the more we can enhance their learning
using technology, the more prepared they will be for the future. Students need to know how to be
safe on the computer and internet and be taught how to be respectful and responsible using it.
Once they are taught those skills, teachers need to have the professional development on how to

Bourland 11

implement it into their everyday teaching. Technology can be a great resource, but teachers need
to feel comfortable using it before implementing it into their classroom.

Name: Shaeson Bringhurst

Degree, where from: BYU-I (2019)

Grade level currently teaching: 9-12

School and district: Idaho Falls High School Seminary, district #91

1. Why is education important to you?
Education helps with potential problems. The more educated people are in our history’s past or
what others have written helps us for the future. We are able to work on problem solving through
math and science teaches us how things work around us. I get the opportunity to teach seminary
where the most important thing in our life is our connection to the Savior and God. I get to help
the youth where they are in the decade of decisions and I want them to have access to Gods
power during this period. It is also my opinion that Satan works on them harder during this age
than any other. I want to make sure I can do everything I can to give them a fighting chance.

2. What do you feel education is lacking these days?
I haven’t been around long enough to say education as a whole is lacking in a certain spot. I
would say from my opinion, passion would be suggestion. Often the grading papers,
standardized tests, little rules and repetitive lessons kind of makes teachers get into a rut where
they forget why they made the sacrifice to teach. Inspiration and change comes from passion and
it is hard to have that discipline and long term goal of passion after teaching for so many years.

3. In your opinion, what is one of the most important skills as a teacher?

One of the most important skills for a teacher is caring for the students and making sure that it is
done in a way that they understand and accept it. Often, they won’t pay attention or give their
respect until in a way, you have earned it. Sometimes being called the teacher isn’t enough to
gain their respect. I have gone to sporting events, and plays to make sure they know I am willing
to support them in what they are interested in. I have also made it clear to them that teaching is
important to me because of them. They are the important part.

4. How has technology in the classroom helped you in your classroom?

Often, we have them take out their phones to look something up on the internet or something that
pertains to the lesson and it help keeps them engaged and they can get their quickly to not lose
momentum in the lesson.

Bourland 12

5. How do you think teachers should address technology in the classroom?

Treat them like adults, if we baby them it will insult them and sometimes it comes out of spite. I
have noticed that when they are interested in the lesson that the phones being used for personal
reasons begins to go away. I have tried contracts with them and they don’t really get a say in the
matter. I also think it is a pick your battle kind of thing. If we got after them for every time they
were on their phone we can make them think we don’t care about them. I recently had a student
find out they got accepted into a college program and she was so excited. Obviously the first
thing she wanted to do was tell her parents. I gave her the option to step outside and give them a
call but she said texted would be best. It had nothing to do with the lesson but it showed mutual
respect. If we have a hard time staying off our phones we have to expect it is harder for them.

Trent Purcell

Ephrata, WA

1.Why is education important to you?
I guess the reason I believe so much in education is that the options and opportunities open up
for someone with an education. That is not to say a person will be unsuccessful in life if they
don't get a degree...I know people with only minimal education and they are successful, some are
very savvy with business or using vocational skills they've acquired with experience. But it also
depends on your definition of "success"... having a wonderful family, having peace in your life
in spite of burdens and problems, these are successful people too. Seeing someone learn and
using that knowledge or skill is very rewarding to me as a teacher.

2.What do you feel education is lacking these days?
I think in many ways education/administration/ legislators are so concerned with test scores, state
and federal testing, that in many ways it forces teachers to "teach to the test" instead of teaching
students...lacking the personal touch to go off script and be real with students, laugh with them,
listen to them, help them. Students respond to teachers they respect and who in turn, they feel,
respect them. For some students with dysfunctional home life , school and the people they see
there will be the high light of their day. Looking students in the eye and shaking their hands go a
long way (has been my experience anyway).

3. What is one of the most important skills as a teacher? Kind of like my response in question
2...be the kind of teacher that students respect and as a teacher, respect the students. Go out of
your way to be personal, even if it's only an eye contact, a smile, a handshake. Maintain the
teacher/student relationship, (you're not there to be their best friend), but you can be the person
they trust.

4. How has technology in the classroom helped you in your classroom? I use technology every

Bourland 13

day. I have a promethean board (a smart board) that I use for a digital whiteboard, Spanish
interactive games and completion, quizzes that can be interactive with the students' phones,
Spanish videos and you tube...this is just the surface (this is our first year with promethean
boards), we'll be receiving much more training and experience as the years go by.

5. How do you think teachers should address technology in the classroom?
It's the world that we live in and so we need to embrace the fact that kids will be on and use
technology and we should too...with parameters. In my classroom, kids use their phones as a
Spanish/English dictionary, to interact with Spanish games and quizzes, they use chrome books
to do PowerPoints on Spanish-speaking countries. However, care needs to be taken that phones
(technology) is not abused. Cheating, copying other work, taking pictures, being on social media
or playing games in place of learning is a difficult task to manage. I notify the students of times
they can use technology, and times when they can't. Every once in a while, I also give them a 2
minute "tech break" so they can answer an email or text. Tech is important and necessary in
education because the jobs and careers the kids will be having demand skills in technology, but
again, great care and vigilance needs to happen to set perimeters.

Bourland 14

Sources

Berg, S., Benz, C., Lasley, T., & Raisch, D. (1997). The Coordinators and the Teachers: A
Description of Exemplary Use of Technology in Elementary Classrooms. Retrieved from
https://byui.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&
db=eric&AN=ED414877&site=eds-live

McDermott, P., & Gormley, K. A. (2016). Teachers’ Use of Technology in Elementary Reading
Lessons. Reading Psychology, 37(1), 121–146.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02702711.2015.1009592

Miranda, H., & Russell, M. (2011). Predictors of Teacher-Directed Student Use of Technology
in Elementary Classrooms: A Multilevel SEM Approach Using Data from the USEIT
Study. Journal of Research on Technology in Education, 43(4), 301–323.
https://doi.org/10.1080/15391523.2011.10782574

Bourland 15