1

Best Practices and Trends for Technology Integration Transcript

Carolyn Wilson

CUR/545

March 9, 2020

Debbie Clark
 2

Best Practices and Trends for Technology Integration Transcript

Introduction:

In this day and age, every school should be making great strides to incorporate technology into

every day learning experiences. Creating change in an organization is not the easiest of tasks, but

this is one change that cannot be ignored and with proper planning can be well executed and

benefit students, teachers, parents, administration, and the whole community. Using proper

examples of how to incorporate technology will allow teachers to be more comfortable with the

integration. With outreach to the community and family, information will be easier to find using

technology and staying in communication when needed. Though, technology integration is

necessary, funding needs to be considered being that most technological devices are pricey.

Creating Change:

Creating change can be done in five steps. First step is to discuss the change with the leaders of

the organization. Once, the leaders are up to speed, introduce the new change idea to faculty

members with the leaders as support to explain the need for the change. Fueling excitement for

change by utilizing incentives, positive response, and other techniques will boost the morale of

the staff and prevent potential conflict. Next step would be to create a plan having the students in

the best interest, but also listen to concerns from teachers and staff members. Finally, implement

the change in steps to provide time to work out the kinks and provide a productive school day for

everyone (CMOE, 2020).

Examples:

Examples of using technology integration correctly can help a teacher determine if his/her

integration is beneficial to the students. Technology integration should be consistent. Also, it

should be easily accessible and incorporated naturally into the lesson. Objectives and goals
 3

should be enhanced or supported using technology integration ("What Is Successful Technology

Integration?", 2007).

Community Outreach:

Technology integration as a form of community outreach can be useful to keep the community

engaged in the local school activities. Using social media as an online presents will boost

viewers knowledge and routine of the schools. Maintaining a school event calendar online and

providing updates for events will assist in fundraiser efforts and school functions for the

community. Establishing a well-organized website will make it easy for the community to

contact the school, locate the school, and have a general idea of the school’s performance and

leadership (Schaffhauser, 2018).

Info For Family:

Communication between parent and teacher is always difficult because of limited means of

communication that is compatible for both the parent and the teacher. Using a technology-style

such as an application to send out notifications can be useful for the teacher and parent to

communicate. Providing online platform access for parents to view assignments and grades can

help parents better connect with what and how their students are doing. Another option is by

offering School-to-Home opportunities such as Media Night or Tech Workshop will help inform

parents of the need and use of technology in the schools (Gatens, 2020).

Funding Available:

There are several of different options for funding technology integration in schools. According to

the Office of Educational Technology (2020), federal and state funding can both be available.

Schools should also consider local funding. Finally, outside grants are also available for schools

to take advantage of to be able to incorporate technology correctly.

 4

Funding Consideration:

Dr. Ireh laid out a well-organized list of budget considerations that need to be met to be able to

integrate technology into schools. First is the cost of staffing to provide IT service and training to

uninformed teachers. Secondly is the cost of network and software should be taken into account.

Finally and might be the most expensive is upgrading and retrofitting schools that was not built

in the Tech Era.

Conclusion:

Technology Integration is no longer a thing of the future; it is a thing of the now. By creating a

plan to integrate technology and the many forms of technology, a new school outlook can be

made and improve not only the students’ learning experience, but the teachers, staff, parents, and

community as a whole will benefit from the integration.

 5

References

CMOE. (2020). 6 Steps Towards Implementing Change in an Organization. Retrieved from

https://cmoe.com/blog/six-steps-to-change-in-organization/

Gatens, B. (2020). 5 Great Ways Schools Can Engage the Community. Retrieved from
https://blog.sharetolearn.com/curriculum-teaching-strategies/5-great-ways-schools-can-
engage-the-community/

Ireh, M. (2010). Finance And Budgeting. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ914657.pdf

Office of Educational Technology. (2020). Funding Digital Learning. Retrieved from

https://tech.ed.gov/funding/

Schaffhauser, D. (2018). Fostering Tech Skills Through Community Outreach. Retrieved from
https://campustechnology.com/articles/2018/11/07/fostering-tech-skills-through-community-
outreach.aspx

What Is Successful Technology Integration?(2007). Retrieved from

https://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-guide-description