PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION 2
Technology use continually increases as time moves on. Every year we are inundated
with the latest and greatest technological innovations that it can be hard to keep up with, let alone
figure out how to appropriately incorporate into the classroom. As challenging as it may be,
teachers would be doing a disservice to their students if they did not seek out ways to utilize
technology during learning. As stated by Spector (2020) technology allows us the ability to do
more than ever before, particularly in the field of education. Teachers must dedicate time to
learning how to properly use technology as a tool to aid in instruction. With the challenges
prevented by covid most students had to engage in some type of online learning. Teachers were
thrown into figuring out how to effectively use technology to meet the needs of students while
being in the classroom was not a possibility. With this widespread use of technology, we are now
left with the challenge of how to best implement technology for in person learning. At the core of
my philosophy of education as a whole, is that the role of a teacher is not just to transmit
knowledge to a student, but to help those students under their care become productive and
contributing members of society. In order to be productive and contribute in a meaningful way, it
requires knowledge and experience of technology use. The easiest way to do this is to have
students use technology in the classroom.
Where technology is infiltrating all aspects of our lives, I believe that educators have a
responsibility to our students to effectively integrate it into our classrooms and teach them how
to properly use technology. Schools must be careful of using technology in meaningless ways.
We must seek out ways for technology to provide meaningful impact for our students. Lei and
Zhou (2007) alluded to this thought by discussing how the use of technology itself does not
automatically improve student learning but rather it is the technology that is focused on helping
students build meaningful knowledge and increase understanding of content that is valuable.
PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION 3
There are many cases where teachers and other educators are focused on the technology, rather
than its role in the learning process (Kirkwood and Price, 2015). Teachers need to look at
technology through a critical lens if it is going to aide us in better teaching our students.
The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) has created numerous sets
of competencies for students, teachers, and other education related roles for the effective use of
technology in the classroom. Two of their requirements for educators that really summed up my
belief in the view that teachers need to have in education is that of standard one in the role of the
learner and standard five the role of the designer. In the role of the learner, educators need to
continually seek out ways to grow their knowledge base in order to be up to date on the latest
information and research in order to ensure effective implementation. When educators are in the
role of the designer, teachers need to ensure that the technology that is being implemented in the
classroom is being used to create authentic, personalized learning experiences and activities that
engage students.
If we look to the word of God for guidance on if teachers have an obligation to include
technology in the class, it is clear that scripture supports the idea that we should. In the words of
Hosea 4:6 which states, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” (English Standard
Version) we can see the effects that not having knowledge can have on people. Our world grows
more technologically advanced day by day and students need the opportunity to learn about and
use technology, so they have a foundation on which to go into the world and be technologically
literate and not get left behind because they do not know what is going on. Proverbs 21:5 tells us,
“The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to
poverty,” (English Standard Version). This verse clearly emphasizes the importance of taking the
time to consider how technology is being used and planning for meaning classroom integration.
PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION 4
If schools and educators hastily use technology without much thought being given to how that
particular technology is being used or what its purpose is, then students will not see the benefits
of it. Another reaffirmation of our obligation to implement technology in the classroom can be
seen in 2 Peter 1:5-6 which states, “For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your
faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-
controlDwith steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,” (English Standard Version).
Teaching in a time where technologic advancements are constantly happening, requires an effort
to be made in keeping up to date and informed of what is changing and the best ways to
implement these in the classroom. We owe it to our students to provide them with as much
information and knowledge as possible so they can do what they will with it.
There is a clear obligation of teachers to implement technology in an effective way
because it has been deemed a critical and essential tool for enhancing teaching and learning (Lai
et al., 2022). My current position as a first grade teacher, requires me to use various types of
technology on a daily basis. Adaptive programs are in use that remediate or extend learning for
students on their level based off of various data, in both literacy and math. Students practice
typing when using iPads and laptops, in addition to utilizing tools like QR codes to make these
processes easier. In addition to teaching general education students, I also teach several students
with IEPs and 504 plans that require assistive technology to access educational materials. These
students use technology such as hearing aides or communication tablets in order to access
materials. When implementing technology such as coding into lessons, I have to ensure that the
lesson is not being overrun by the implementation of technology and the overall meaning being
lost. When planning, I will intentionally look for ways to infuse technology into my lessons so
that students get practice. All of these ways allow me to help my students access materials that in
PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY OF TECHNOLOGY IN EDUCATION 5
years past they may not have otherwise been able to, but I still have to be critical of how it is
being used and to be mindful of staying up to date myself. While technology allows all students
more access to a variety of learning opportunities, we must ensure it is being used in a
meaningful way. Technology in education is a necessity but requires ongoing commitment of
teachers to ensure best practices are in place for the benefit of students.
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References
English Standard Version Bible. (2001). Bible Gateway.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua%201%3A9&version=ESV
ISTE Standards: Educators. (n.d.). ISTE.Dhttps://www.iste.org/standards/iste-standards-for-
teachers
Kirkwood, A., & Price, L. (2015). Achieving improved quality and validity: Reframing research
and evaluation of learning technologies..European Journal of Open, Distance and E-
learning, 18(1)..https://www.eurodl.org/index.php?
p=special&sp=articles&inum=6&article=672&article=678
Lai,DJ.DW., De Nobile,DJ., Bower,DM., & Breyer,DY. (2022). Comprehensive evaluation of the use
of technology in education – validation with a cohort of global open online
learners.DEducation and Information Technologies,D27(7), 9877-
9911.Dhttps://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-022-10986-w
Lei, J., & Zhao, Y. (2007). Technology uses and student achievement: A longitudinal study.
Computers & Education, 49, 284-296.
Spector, J. M. (2010). An overview of progress and problems in educational technology.
Interactive Educational Multimedia, 1, 27-37.
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