I was assigned to read “Technology’s Role in the Field Experiences for Preservice Teacher Training” and “Teachers Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge and Learning”. Both of these articles cover different aspects of integrating technology into a classroom as well as the benefits and conflicts that can come with it. Technology is becoming very common in classrooms today but it can be something that can be complicated for those teachers who are less “tech savvy”.
In the article “Technology’s Role in Field Experiences” goes over the benefits that have come along with having field experiences in teacher preparation programs. These field experiences play an important role for students because it can help a student decide whether if teaching is the right career option for them. As well as giving students opportunity to practice skills prior to actually going out and student teaching. It allows students to put themselves in the spot of actually feeling like a teacher and improving their attitude towards teaching. Sometimes, student teachers can view field experiences as an off campus activity instead of viewing as a learning activity or future job training. Student teachers can view the experience as a “learn the skill” approach and don’t put much thought about how the experience can relate to their own education.
It is stated that technology can be implemented into a student’s field experience in 3 different ways. These are set up in 3 different tiers: Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 technology enhanced field experiences. Type 1 experiences involve student teachers being placed in a real classroom where they teach and/or observe real students. This provides the traditional field experience approach. I feel like this approach has more benefits for students. It allows you as a future to teacher to actually interact with the students and learn ways to work on classroom management. It also gives you the opportunity to communicate with the teacher you are observing. They can provide you with instant feedback and advice on how to better succeed in the classroom. This experience allows for student teacher to pick and choose the grade where they want to be placed.
Type 2 experiences, allow students to gain experiences by observing teachers and students in real classrooms via video conferencing or pre-recorded video cases available on CD’s or the internet. This type of experience can have benefits to being implemented into a college classroom. I believe this experience could be used for when students in the education program barely start observing. This could be set up as a class in general and have the whole class observe the teacher with the students. It would be more cost efficient for students and less time consuming. They can get the virtual view of a field experience. As well as it can broaden the area’s of where students can observe. For example, we live in a very small town so teaching in our area is different from a city. Video conferencing can be set up to where students can observe teachers in other areas such as Chicago. This would allow students to see how teaching in our area may be different to that of another. Video experiences can be irrelevant and can cause conflict o how this applies to their educational context. Other difficulties can arise when using technology in these settings. The quality of the video or audio can arise.
Type 3 experiences are set up to be a simulated classroom environment. It is more of a virtual practice class. This experience gives student teachers an artificial reality of what a classroom with a teacher and students would be like. I believe this type of experience is the least beneficial because it can have technical difficulties when trying to do the simulation. In addition, I think this experience could in some form help prepare students and allow them feel what a classroom may look/feel like before being placed into the real thing. I personally wouldn’t enjoy this type of experience for the reason that I would rather see the actual teaching going on. This experience could be seen as not real enough so it may not be taken as serious by students.
In the article “Teachers’ Technological Pedagogical” it discusses the use of TPACK. TPACK is a method of integrating technology in practice in classrooms. This approach emphasizes the importance of assisting teachers to develop, integrate, and understand technology. TPACK is broken down into Content Knowledge (CK), Pedagogical Knowledge (PK), Technological Knowledge(TK), Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPK), and Technological Content Knowledge (TCK). Content Knowledge is what you know about the material that is either learned or to be taught. Pedagogical Knowledge is how much knowledge is known about the processes, practices of teaching, the goals, values, strategies,etc… This requires for a great understanding of the cognitive, social, and developmental theories of learning as well as how to apply them into a classroom. While TPACK is a framework, it requires flexibility and fluency in other words, each influences the other in extensive ways that it can be used to accommodate each teacher’s teaching style. Technology creates many opportunities within the classroom. It can enhance existing learning types but it also can create new ones. This allows for teachers to meet different student needs.
Khan Academy is source of technology that can be used into classrooms. It provides a wide variety of videos over different topics. I watched the video over multiplying by 10’s. This video can be very beneficial for students who may have a hard time understanding how to multiply using 10’s. Khan Academy goes slow enough to where you can keep up with the problem they are working out. It is very informative as it explains the steps as they are working out the problems. I liked how they had variety of videos covering different subjects. It can be implemented into different grade levels.
Technology can be implemented into classrooms very easily. In the college level, I can see how Khan Academy can benefit students. It provides a source to help learn material you may not fully comprehend. It can also be used in lower education such as elementary depending on what material may need to be covered. The technology methods stated in the articles. I can see how using technology in field experiences can be used. The idea of having video conferencing to set up an observation is very modern. Today people are easily able to facetime with friends and family. Incorporating what is already being used into a classroom setting definitely opens up more doors for students to experience.
