Integrating instructional technology - Essay Example

Integrating Instructional Technology On top of becoming an increasingly vital part of the education system, technology, aids the student in acquiring an increased sense of responsibility in their talent and knowledge depth. This paper seeks to show ways in which technology can be used in the facilitation and support of student learning. Howard Gardner developed a multiple intelligence theory in which he contends that everyone has multiple intelligences. He claims that through addressing these multiple intelligences, especially in students, it is possible to improve education.

The paper will discuss five of Gardner’s multiple intelligences and show ways in which each can be enhanced by using technology. The first multiple intelligence as stated by Gardner was verbal or linguistic that involves students who are smart with words (Education.com 1). Technology can be integrated into activities that involve those who learn best via language, for instance, in writing, speaking, listening, and reading. Numerous technology tools can be utilized to support the linguist/verbal learner.

These include software for story creation like poems, letters, and essays, word processing process writing, and rewriting, audio recorders and digitizers for oral histories and recording interviews, as well desktop publishing including publisher and page-maker. Gardner’s second multiple intelligence, which involves the logical or mathematical aspect, includes those students who are smart with numbers, which are those who are good at learning through numbers, reasoning, and problem solving (Education.com 1). These students are more involved in solving problems, conducting experiments and collecting data.

Technology tools that are geared towards augmenting student’s learning with the logical or mathematical intelligence include; web-quests, calculators and graphing software, problem solving software, and spreadsheets. The third involves the visual/spatial intelligence that includes students who are picture smart, usually those who spatially organize their thinking and learn best via visual learning (Education.com 1). Technology for integration would aid these students in the development of creativity and visual skills.

Technology tools that would aid them if integrated include concept and diagram mapping tools, timeline making, web development tools, and visual information materials like graphs, clipart, photographs, tables, and charts. Technology can also be used to facilitate learning for students with bodily or kinesthetic intelligence. These students are body smart and learn best via physical activity like dance, hands-on tasks, and constructing models (Education.com 1). Some technology tools that would be used to support these learners include handheld palms and alpha-smart, virtual field trips, joysticks, keyboarding, mouse and other movement tools, and video production for skits, role-playing, demonstrations, and sport.

Finally, the musical/rhythmic intelligence is another that can be enhanced through using technology. People with this multiple intelligence learn best via sounds (Education.com 1). Some technology tools that can be integrated to enhance their learning include music composition software, video and audio recorders, interactive books with audio elements, and DVDs and CD-audios. Technology in the classroom can be used via wireless or wired means. The difference between the two involves the use of a physical wire for wired classrooms, as opposed to the use of a wireless network for the wireless classroom.

Classrooms that are equipped with ports, for instance, the Ethernet port or the data jack, require the student to have a data cable. They use the cable in plugging to the data jack from the computer and require the student to have a local area connection setup on the computer to obtain access to the internet (Griffioen et al 1). A wireless classroom, on the other hand, requires the student to have an airport/wireless card that picks up wireless network. The connection between students and the network is necessary; they should also use their password and ID username to log in to the network (Griffioen et al 1).

However, integration of technology has several pros and cons. The advantages are that the technology will allow the student to learn via exploring the internet and researching, as well as allowing the student to engage more in the subject (utexas.edu 1). The school can also secure grants for them to integrate even more technology into their classrooms. Finally, the teachers are also enabled in using technology to communicate with parents, plan records, and keep student records. Disadvantages include students being distracted by other content on the web, the expensive nature of technology, the need to replace the technology equipment every three or so years, and the requirement for teaching staff who are proficient in the customization of technology, in classrooms (utexas.edu 1). If a school uses computers for increased purposes, the school will be required to keep this technology up using tech savvy teachers who are expensive and scarce.

Works Cited Education.com. How Does Technology Facilitate Learning? . Web 2012. Web,15 march 2013 . Griffioen, James. Seales, Brent. & Lumpp, James. Teaching in Realtime Wireless Classrooms. 2008. Web,15 march 2013 . utexas.edu. Technology. 2013. Web. 15 march 2013 .