Angela Kays

SLM:521 - Summer 03

Journal Article # 1

5/30/03

Judy Van Scoter, Debbie Ellis and Jennifer Railsback, Technology in the Curriculum, June 01,

The article that I read is titled Technology in the Curriculum. The article is divided into 5 sections. The first section discusses the use of technology based on the age of a child and the developmental stage of that child. The article states that age appropriateness for computer use is approximately age 5-8. This does not mean that a child younger can not benefit from use of a computer. The difference is that a younger child will be using a computer for exploration or discovery whereas an older child would be using the computer for more educational avenues.

The second part of the article deals with technology having a purpose. Use a computer for the sake of using a computer is not always beneficial to learning. Computer use should have a purpose. One major purpose for use in the classroom is for expanding a student’s ability in writing. One the computer is available for use one must consider adding appropriate software. Now that we know the purpose for computer use and we have appropriate software, the topic moves to availability of computers in the classroom. Studies have shown that using computers in the classroom is more beneficial to learning. Taking students out of a common surrounding to move to a computer lab somewhere else actually inhibits the higher level of learning and understanding.

The fourth section of the article discusses software use further. Choosing appropriate software is very important to enhance the learning process. Choose software that allows for open-ended thinking, involves the senses, and applies to real life situations. Once software is established a teacher needs to consider the purpose for the computer use. The learning achieved through use of a computer depends on many things. Things to consider are quality of the software, amount of time to use software, and the way in which the software is being used.

Finally the article talks about other technology that can be used in the classroom. Other items like tape recorders, cameras, tv/vcrs; fax machines and portable keyboards can be used to enhance understanding of a topic. Just like with computers, a teacher needs to identify the purpose of using the technology in the classroom.

I really liked this article. The points that it made were very well explained and supported. Coming from a classroom that has 3 computers, one that is mine, one that is broken and the one left is for the students, I understand the importance of their use. There have been many times where I have tried a lesson with using computers and it hasn’t worked. If I got to use the computer lab, the software was there but the software did not fit the topic being covered. Basically the software was of no use to the project. So the computers were of no use to the project.

I like that the article discusses other technology and their use. Especially for those teachers who have no computers in their classroom, and who rarely can get into the computer lab, other technology can play an integral part in the learning process. I constantly use tape recorders and cameras to enhance student learning. Whether the use is by the student or me learning is enhanced by the additional of other technology.

I think the main points to remember out of this article are that first computer use has to be appropriate to the developmental age of the child. Secondly the software needs to be appropriate for the child and for the learning. Thirdly, availability of software and computers is the first issue to overcome. And lastly the factor that computers are not the only technology that can be used to enhance learning in the classroom.