What Should Teachers Know About Technology

Schools and colleges of teacher education are called upon to prepare teachers to use technology. The ability to use technology has been established as a requirement for teacher licensing, certification, and sometimes employment. This book offers a comprehensive picture of the prominent perspectives on technology literacy for teachers and current practices in preparing teachers to become technologically literate. Articles included in this volume address such pressing issues as the theoretical foundations of teacher technology knowledge, the role of technology in teaching, technology standards for teachers, and effective approaches to prepare technologically competent teachers.

First released in the Spring of 1999, How People Learn has been expanded to show how the theories and insights from the original book can translate into actions and practice, now making a real connection between classroom activities and learning behavior. This edition includes far-reaching suggestions for research that could increase the impact that classroom teaching has on actual learning. Like the original edition, this book offers exciting new research about the mind and the brain that provides answers to a number of compelling questions. When do infants begin to learn? How do experts learn and how is this different from non-experts? What can teachers and schools do-with curricula, classroom settings, and teaching methods--to help children learn most effectively? New evidence from many branches of science has significantly added to our understanding of what it means to know, from the neural processes that occur during learning to the influence of culture on what people see and absorb. How People Learn examines these findings and their implications for what we teach, how we teach it, and how we assess what our children learn. The book uses exemplary teaching to illustrate how approaches based on what we now know result in in-depth learning. This new knowledge calls into question concepts and practices firmly entrenched in our current education system. Topics include: How learning actually changes the physical structure of the brain. How existing knowledge affects what people notice and how they learn. What the thought processes of experts tell us about how to teach. The amazing learning potential of infants. The relationship of classroom learning and everyday settings of community and workplace. Learning needs and opportunities for teachers. A realistic look at the role of technology in education.

Many school districts are discovering that providing computer technology and using technology to improve student learning are two very different things. In this book, national experts use concrete examples to describe specific knowledge, beliefs, and strategies that will enable teachers and district leaders to support meaningful learning using technology. Chapters examine the intersection between course content, types of technology, and the supports and professional development required to effectively implement technology in the K–12 classroom. This authoritative volume: explores how technology can contribute to meaningful learning, achieving deep understanding of complex ideas that are relevant to students' lives; chronicles the effectiveness of specific technology-based curricula in the sciences and social studies, with a focus on history; and suggests models and approaches for teacher professional development, including a - Meaningful Learning Toolbox- where teachers can co-author web-based curriculum units.

This book provides a baseline for effective technology practice, offering a comprehensive overview of theory, research and practice. In particular the book: Brings together research findings to provide an evidence based approach to using technology in the classroom Provides an understanding of how technologies can and should inform teaching and learning Highlights effective practice As well as capturing the extensive developments in this field over the last three decades the book identifies ‘what works’ with technology and education. There is detailed consideration of how technology can enhance learning and inform pedagogic approaches together with examples. This not only informs but, most importantly, allows teachers to develop their practice in order to incorporate and exploit the affordances of educational technologies, providing a sound theoretical underpinning to classroom practice with technologies. Significantly the book urges educators to embrace new ways of working using technologies to support knowledge sharing and building. It also looks ahead and reports teachers’ views of schools of the future, where learners and teachers may work flexibly through a curriculum that is personalised and focused on 21st century needs. Teaching with Technologies is essential reading for busy teachers and students who wish to gain an informed overview of the key issues pertaining to technology and education. “This is a very timely book reminding us of the complex history of technology integration into teaching and learning in this country, as well as giving an overview of current practice, and providing a prescient look to the future.” Dr Chris Higgins, formerly Principal Lecturer, Oxford Brookes University, UK “The manner in which UK teachers and students have, and are currently, engaging with digital technologies across the curriculum and at all levels of schooling is clearly presented and, together with links to research and classroom practice, is a major strength of the book.” Anthony Jones, ICT in Education and Research, The University of Melbourne, Australia

Technology plus classroom can equal success for students. This invaluable resource for teachers presents classroom applications of media, technology, and the Internet.

This important contribution to the future of education, by bestselling author and renowned cognitive scientist Allan Collins, proposes a school curriculum that will fit the needs of our modern era. Offering guidelines for deciding what is important to learn in order to become a knowledgeable person, a good citizen, a thoughtful worker, and a valuable friend in the 21st century, Collins considers the qualities needed for a healthy and productive life. Taking a close look at how advances in technology, communication, and the dissemination of information are reshaping the world, this volume examines how schools can foster flexible, self-directed learners who will succeed in the modern workplace. A concluding chapter presents a broad new vision for how schools can be redesigned to teach the kinds of knowledge and skills students will need in an increasingly complex society and global world. Book Features Identifies global trends and their implications for what we should be teaching our children. Explains how schools are teaching an outdated curriculum. Proposes a radical revision of the math and science curriculum. Describes how literacy is changing in the digital age. “Novel and revolutionary, this book is a much-needed wake-up call for imaginatively rethinking what education needs to become in this complex, networked, and radically contingent world.” —From the Foreword by John Seely Brown, visiting scholar and advisor to the provost, University of Southern California “Every book club, city council, school board, parent group, and teacher research network should dedicate time toward reading this book.” —Shirley Brice Heath, professor emerita of English and linguistics, Stanford University “What are the powerful ideas that will allow students to live lives of meaning and fulfillment? This book helps us imagine what this kind of education would look like.” —Janet Kolodner, chief learning scientist, Concord Consortium, and professor emerita of computer science, Georgia Tech

A technological tidal wave has arrived at today's schools, revolutionizing how teachers teach and students learn. Computers, cell phones, digital whiteboards, student response systems, projectors, the Internet, I-pods, software, and e-mail are all available to front-line teachers and students. Utilizing these new tools is rewarding for educators and empowering for students. If you're a teacher who wants to incorporate technology in your classroom, then 6 Steps to Success in Teaching with Technology will show you how. Award-winning teacher Lucas Kent experienced first hand the joy and excitement of using these amazing tools with his students. In his easy-to-follow guide, Lucas lays down a path for even the most non-technology inclined teacher to follow. His six simple steps include: Understand Why Adapt Plan Do Your Homework Implement Effectively Keep Up to Date Kent also includes helpful tips, his own classroom experiences, and a glossary of teaching with technology terms to help you begin this new and exciting process. Let's face it-our world is changing. It's time to learn, adapt, and embrace teaching with technology!