BLOG 1: Teaching and Learning: It's Just Better with Technology

When teachers use technology for teaching and learning, we expose the students to multiple learning opportunities outside the school walls. Our students come from diverse backgrounds with so many different experiences. The demographics of the students should never play a role in the quality of their education; technology can help bring equity to the classroom! It “brings the world to the classroom and provides graphical and other communication tools to see the world beyond current boundaries” (Texas Education Agency, 2006, p.18).

Progress: The Teaching and Learning Strand of the Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020 improves student progress by “leveling the playing field” for struggling students. Educators who use technology help special needs students by bringing an exciting format which engages the students and is relevant to them—as it reflects their lifestyle. Flexible technologies are a growing trend that offer assistance to students such as talking text, word processors that help correct grammar, spelling, and readability, and also a multitude of E-Resources that help to manipulate text and speech.

Local, State, and National Trends: For students of all levels and abilities, we must adopt and adapt to the learning styles to prepare them for their life in a 21st Century technological society. They have been raised in a digital society, and according to Prensky (2001), they actually learn differently (p.2). Trends to prepare them are evident through the TEKS, especially in the Work/Manipulation of Data Domain, which provide opportunity for problem-solving and for promoting higher-order thinking skills. Students use a variety of skills such as choosing the right technology for a task, synthesizing knowledge, creation of a solution, and self-evaluation of results (Abernathy, 2011, p.9). Another fantastic trend—both local and national—is the opportunities afforded to students through distance learning.

Recommendations: Job embedded curriculum workshops will be needed for teachers--because our “digital immigrants,” need to learn the tools. Added to the need for training, Jones (2007) recommends that to be successful, we must employ strategies to continue learning. Follow up is critical and must be inter-laced with ongoing training and “just in time” support. Finally, collaboration is needed to help promote and use “innovative strategies for the delivery of curricula and instruction through online, digital technology, and a variety of distance learning technologies” (TEA, 2006, p.18). Professional learning communities give teachers the time and format to collaborate, brainstorm, problem-solve, and share what they are using to successfully implement technology in the classroom.



Abernathy, K. (2011). Lecture Slide 9.

Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants: Part 1. On the Horizon, 9(5), 1-6.

Texas Education Agency. (2006). Texas Long Range Plan for Technology, 2006-2020. Retrieved from http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/comm/leg_reports/2008/08pr_to_lrpt.pdf.