Technology in the classroom can be debated back and forth depending on its use value and purpose. I admit that I was skeptical at first to see how technology could effectively be used in the classroom to improve teaching. That was my first mistake. Technology is not, and should not, be brought into the classroom solely to impact a lesson for shock value and to improve a teachers lesson. Rather, technology should be looked at through the lens of improving student learning and achievement. If it does not serve this purpose, than it has no place being in the classroom.
There are many different technologies that can be used in a classroom, but I want to comment on my favourite one that I saw first hand improve student learning. During my first block I had the pleasure of working with a wonderful grade five class. During their research for science students made posters and gave presentations by reading what they researched for the class. Two students however, could not read and write at the grade five level and were on grade one IEP's. The Live Scribe pen was introduced to these students as it allowed them to record what they wrote down and play it back in their own words that they could then communicate to the class. Without the Live Scribe pen and its recording function, these students would not have been able to read what they wrote down and participate to the fullest in class presentations. Not only did it give them an avenue to communicate, it gave them the confidence and motivation to learn and participate as a barrier involved in reading and writing was removed.
Technology with a purpose to improve student learning should always be welcomed in the classroom. Technology without a clear purpose for improving student learning, however, should not be used.
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