Think of a classroom that students only use a pencil and a notebook and teacher uses a blackboard and students just take notes on their notebooks. In every course, teacher uses this method. In this scenario, can you say that the instruction method is useful and beneficial for stıudents’ learning? In today’s conditions, we answer this question as “no” Because, our era is technology era and teachers cannot provide effective instruction without using technology in schools. Therefore, educational technology is usage of technology in educational process via using some applications in courses and facilitating students’ learning. Technology integration is usage of technology in some areas like education and instruction. When we think conditions of 21th century, educational technology and technology integration to education are crucial concepts.
In order to increase students’ learning in education, we as teachers should increase the use of educational technology in instruction. For instance, think that there are two different classes in a school and two teachers use different methods in math course. In the first class, the math teacher just writes formulas on the board and says students to memorize these formulas and solve some problems and finish the unit. In contrast to this teacher, the other math teacher firstly explains the real life connection of the math subject and shows some simulations on the internet and uses some computer applications related to the course subject and summarizes the course to students and finishes the course. In which class do students learn effectively? Of course, in the second class. As in the example situation, students learn best when they see the usage of their knowledge in real life and see some examples of the course that they learn.
We can make list the vital reasons for educational technology and technology integration to education. Thanks to technology integration:
· Students learn effectively.
· Students take active roles in learning process via using technology in courses.
· Technology increases students’ creativity in courses.
· Since students will have books in their computers thanks to technology, they don’t have to carry heavy books in their bags.
· Students think critically in problem solving.
· Students have opportunity to access their teachers outside of school.
· Students have opportunity to access many people to ask questions or to collaborate with them for learning.
In order to provide active and effective learning of students, teachers should use technology effectively in their classes so that students follow the novelties of information era and learn effectively and become active in learning process. In this process, teachers should be a guide for students and motivate their learning activity.
In order to increase students’ learning in education, we as teachers should increase the use of educational technology in instruction. For instance, think that there are two different classes in a school and two teachers use different methods in math course. In the first class, the math teacher just writes formulas on the board and says students to memorize these formulas and solve some problems and finish the unit. In contrast to this teacher, the other math teacher firstly explains the real life connection of the math subject and shows some simulations on the internet and uses some computer applications related to the course subject and summarizes the course to students and finishes the course. In which class do students learn effectively? Of course, in the second class. As in the example situation, students learn best when they see the usage of their knowledge in real life and see some examples of the course that they learn.
We can make list the vital reasons for educational technology and technology integration to education. Thanks to technology integration:
· Students learn effectively.
· Students take active roles in learning process via using technology in courses.
· Technology increases students’ creativity in courses.
· Since students will have books in their computers thanks to technology, they don’t have to carry heavy books in their bags.
· Students think critically in problem solving.
· Students have opportunity to access their teachers outside of school.
· Students have opportunity to access many people to ask questions or to collaborate with them for learning.
In order to provide active and effective learning of students, teachers should use technology effectively in their classes so that students follow the novelties of information era and learn effectively and become active in learning process. In this process, teachers should be a guide for students and motivate their learning activity.