In today’s technology class, we discussed the things we have gone over during this first half of the semester. There have been a lot of interesting topics shared, but the two that stick out to me as the most interesting and important was the presentation we had about professionalism as well as students relationship with technology, and its effect on their learning and how we can be responsible in teaching students how to use these technologies, as well as the class we had where we learned about how the school system is created based on the idea when we were sending kids into factory style jobs, and where we used to be able to guarantee them a job after schooling. 

We also discussed in class today the technology integration models such as constructive alignment, TPAk, and SAMR. These models help teachers integrate technology into the classroom. SAMR is based on substitution (task is the same but technology substitutes as a tool, with no functional change), augmentation (also a substitution version, but enhances the lesson), modification (can modify task by adding new components, like comments from peers, which allows for significant task redesign),  and redefinition (creation of a new task that wouldn’t be possible without tech). These can help students develop new skills, explore new ideas, think creatively, and become masters of using technology. Considering new elements that can be implemented as extensions into your lessons can benefit everyone as it can help teachers plan and use new resources, and help students encourage creative ways of thinking and learning. Young students can easily adapt to technology, and therefore shouldnt be looked over when it comes to using technology as a way to adapt lessons.

The TPACK framework brings together technology knowledge, content knowledge, and pedagogical knowledge.  Content knowledge is what you know about what you’re teaching and which direction you’re going in, in terms of subject, lesson plans, and goals. Pedagogical knowledge is the how of teaching, it’s the mechanisms you use, and the ways you get information across to students.  Technology knowledge creates opportunities for new ways of learning. Technology knowledge is based on the ‘what’, such as what sort of technology will you use with students, and how can you incorporate technology into lessons. TPAK is a reminder that goals should be made first, and technology is just a part of great teaching that should be layered onto content and pedagogical knowledge. It’s important that lessons using technology aren’t created by first deciding on the technology, then the lesson. Instead, technology should be fit into the lesson, where you decide later how certain technologies will piece together with your goals and ideas for the lesson. 

These ideas for technology integration allows for a variety of skills and for a variation of activities that stretch the minds of students. Instead of creating the same type of lesson structure, technology can make lessons diverse, and keep students interested in what is to come in the day, as well as create a new layer of knowledge for students to learn. In order to make integration models effective they must align with learning, teaching approaches, and assessment to create a meaningful learning experience.