make a difference: connect

1. Network Comparison Presentation make a difference: connect Designed by: Melissa Smith EDLD 5362 Informational Systems Management

2. What is technology integration? “Technology integration is the use of technology resources- computers, digital cameras, CD-ROMs, software applications, the Internet, etc. in classroom practices, and in the management of a school. It is achieved when the use of technology is routine and transparent. Technology integration is achieved when a child or a teacher doesn’t stop to think that he or she is using a computer or researching via the Internet.” what is technology (Anonymous, 2007)

3. where do I connect? • The two networks that I chose, related to my teaching position as a Business educator that wants to make a difference in the education of the 21st Century students to prepare them with web 2.0 technologies. • Learning Technologies User Group • Tech Integration

4. why connect? Lenhart, Simon, and Graziano (2001) indicate that research shows that 94% of youth ages 12-17 use the Internet for school research and 78% say they believe the Internet helps them with schoolwork. Students are not the only ones benefitting from online use. “53% of adult Internet users have gone online to do research for school or job training” (Lenhart et al., 2001). “The rapid growth of information, coupled with the ability to exchange it more rapidly among more people than ever before, is creating a new environment for education” (Arsham, 2002).Arsham further states that online education is growing so fast that there will be a widespread shortage of qualified online teachers.

5. why today? Our education system of todayis at a crossroads that must be addressed immediately. This past year being involved in Education Technology Leadership classes has opened my eyes to critical issues that face our students going through our school systems throughout the nation. Levin and Arafeh report that students report that there is a substantial disconnect between how they use the Internet for school and how they use the Internet during the school day and under teacher direction. “Students’ educational use of the Internet occurs outside of the school day, outside of the school building, outside the direction of the teachers” (Levin & Arafeh, 2002).

6. the numbers The chart below identifies the percent of public schools in the nation that offer distant learning courses via television, satellite, internet, or e-mail. This data is compiled from the US Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics, Schools and Staffing Survey in 2003-04. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.ruraledu.org/user_uploads/image/RPM_images/RPM10_11_graph.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.ruraledu.org/articles.php%3Fid%3D2150&usg=__mePDZ68u4fVRHhsQUZJNwxwAjlY=&h=480&w=450&sz=31&hl=en&start=1&sig2=uai53rkLy3oEZCQ4S1AA5Q&um=1&tbnid=ZxIeWzDVWDcQqM:&tbnh=129&tbnw=121&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dtechnology%2Bgraphs%2Bin%2Beducation%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGLL_enUS338%26um%3D1&ei=lANdS_tFhpW2B6rhoZIC

7. what is learning technologies user group? Learning Technologies User Group (LTUG) is a group of members and others that are interested in learning technologies and sharing of ideas. I chose this site because I am intrigued with the potential of distant learning as it pertains to secondary education. I am already aware of what virtual learning has meant to me during this masters program and now I want to find out more so that I can pass it along to my students. http://learntug.ning.com/

8. what is tech integration-integratingtechnology and learning for the 21st century? With the growth of web 2.0 applications the phenomenon rises many questions in education. Can any of this new applications be used effectively in the classroom? Should we stick to the traditional technology integration activities? Lets try this experiment so we can learn. I chose this site because I wanted to collaborate with other educators that are using web 2.0 technologies in the classroom. I want to incorporate more web-conferencing projects into my lessons to allow students to experience other cultures and ideas.

9. in conclusion “Effective integration of technology is achieved when students are able to select technology tools to help them obtain information in a timely manner, analyze and synthesize the information, and present it professionally. The technology should become an integral part of how the classroom functions– as accessible as all other classroom tools.” --National Educational Technology Standards for Students, International Society for Technology in Education

10. References Arsham, H. (2002, March). Impact of the internet on learning and teaching. USDLA Journal, 16.3. Retrieved on November 17, 2009, from http://www.usdla.org/html/journal/MAR02_Issue/article01.html A vision of K-12 students today, YouTube, November, 2007; B. Nesbithttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8 Graziano, M., Lenhart, A., & Simon, M. (2001, September 1). The internet and education: Findings of the pew internet and American life project. Pew Internet and American Life Project. Retrieved on November 17, 2009, from http://pewinternet.org/~/media/Files/Reports/2001/PIP_Schools_Report.pdf.pdf Levin, D., & Arafeh, S. (2002). The digital disconnect. The widening gap between internet- savvy students and their schools. Pew Internet and American Life Project. Retrieved on November 17, 2009, from http://pewinternet.org/~/media/Files/Reports/2002/PIP_Schools_Internet_Report.pdf.pdf what is technology integration (“Edutopia”, 2007)www.edutopia.org/teaching-module-technology-integration-what