1 Running head:INTEGRATION OF TECHNOLOGY AND MEDIA RESOURCES

Integration of Technology and Media Resources

Renae Alston
Regent University

In partial fulfillment of UED 495 Field Experience ePortfolio, Spring 2015

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Technology and Media Resources

The students of today are exposed to more technology than any other generation before
them. McHugh (2005) says that, students are referred to as the Media Generation, digital
learners in the techno-drenched atmospheres that are gizmo-intensive (p.33).Education would
not and could not be effective if we as teachers did not embrace the technological culture running
ramped in this generation. Technology has the ability to bridge gaps both educationally and
culturally that can both be beneficial to the students that we teach. A universe of information at
our fingertips! Powell (2002) coins the term educational technology, any technology based
device that assists teachers in teaching and students in learning (p.113). The key is to find that
technology that will best serve the students. Best serving our students is using technology that is
rooted in a strong understanding of best instructional practices and classroom management
(Elliot 2011, p.4). It is about guiding our students in ways that will excel them in our technology
rich culture.
Document Camera and Media Games
Student learning is more effective when more than one sense is being used
simultaneously. The use of a document camera is one of the most effective tools to use in the
classroom. It allows the student to listen to the instruction that the teachers is giving as well as
see the instruction under the document camera. The picture of myself using the document
camera, was a lesson on counting and adding pennies. The students were able to see me complete
the tasks as I verbally explained the task they were supposed to be completing. Elliot says,
Technology should have a solid lesson plan, expectations, guidelines, modeling, practices (p.
4). Through the use of the document camera; I was able to model how the students should count
and add the pennies, the way in which to count the pennies (sliding them across the table instead

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of picking them up), and it gave me the opportunity to walk around to make sure that the
students were grasping the concept while periodically coming back to the camera to model the
correct answer.
During Dr. Seuss week, the students were learning to count and add using pennies and
numbers. During computer resource we went to PBS.org, found the Cat in the Hat page, and
allowed the children to play the adding and counting games on the web page. Effective lessons
always need a period of independent practice. It is the time to apply the skills learned in the
lesson and solidify the concepts for maximum retention.

Nothing is more boring than

worksheets! Sometimes they are necessary, but including technology in independent practice is a
great way to properly and significantly implement technology. Finding games and activities that
support the lesson being taught are both fun for the kids and a way to assess if students have a
firm grip on the concepts.
Reflection
Technology is the fastest growing industry of our time with no sign of slowing.
Implications for the classroom are limitless and foster our students with a sense that technology
has a place in their learning environment. Technology has the ability to engage learners of all
styles and engage learners in an active setting. The opposite of learning by osmosis! One of my
fears is that making technology too available in the classroom will do the students a disservice;
becoming more of a crutch than an activity to help retain the skills learned. However, I do not
want to make using technology a reward or a privilege because using technology is a skill that
students are going to have to be familiar with and comfortable using in order to be productive in
society.

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References
Elliot, L. (2011). Teach like a techie: 20 tools for reaching the digital generation. Crystal Spring
Books. Peterborough, New Hampshire
McHugh, J. (2005). Synching up with kids. Edutopia. 1(7), 32-35
Powell, S. (2012). Your introduction to education: explorations in teaching. Second Edition.
Pearson Education. Upper Saddle River, NJ