Technology as it Should Be in the Classroom

Technology is an essential tool for educating students at the secondary level. If adapted properly and presented by a rightly qualified instructor, relevantly implemented technology can become a central part of the language arts classroom. From class blogs and WebQuest sites to film projects and PowerPoint presentations, the realm of possibilities is endless. It sparks enthusiasm by making learning fun for the students as well as the teacher, and encourages interaction with peers. However, the technology must be relevant and consistent to the core curriculum and act as an enhancement to traditional methods of instruction in order for it to serve its purpose. For this to happen, students must be met at their individual levels of ability with a patient, experienced teacher who is willing to coach and mentor them along the way while learning about new programs that are constantly changing.

Students must have exposure and practice with the tools that are implemented in the classroom on a regular basis if they are expected to build upon their current skills and grow in their knowledge of its use. Electronic and digital methods of scaffolding for a novel, for example, or introducing and launching students into a research project, can only be effective if both the teacher and students are confident in their abilities in the program or application being used. However, everyone has to learn something for the first time, and not everyone enters the classroom on equal footing in terms of their background experience in technology. This is one reason that cooperative learning can be so effective, as it is an ideal way for coping with discrepancies due to limited technology access outside of school (an issue for many students). They need time in-class in order to practice with programs being implemented, as well as to learn from each other.

Effective monitoring techniques must be in place at all times to optimize the implementation of technology in the classroom and for them to maintain safe use of the internet. Sending out frequent newsletters or notes home to parents, involving them in the learning process and informing them about the technology being used in our classroom is a great example of using technology while establishing and maintaining positive rapport with the other essential figures in the learning process.

Through positive enforcement made by the teacher and a strong, reliable network of staff committed to enhancing English education through effective use of technology, greater feats can continue to be accomplished that have never before been. If the teacher is enthusiastic and continually seeks to better his or her own skills in various areas of technology, as she aims to meet students at their individual levels of ability or experience, the students will be able to explore literature and discover new, fascinating ways to build upon their reading and writing skills.