Meaning of Technology Integration

According to definition given by WIKIPEDIA, “Technology integration is the use of technology tools in general content areas in education in order to allow students to apply computer and technology skills to learning and problem-solving”.

In simple words, Technology Integration in Education means use of tools of technology by teachers and students in the process of teaching as well as learning.

Need for Technology Integration

There can be different purposes of technology integration like:

  • Facilitating learning online.
  • Making Blended Learning possible.
  • Making learning easy and fun.
  • Increasing involvement of students in various activities and projects.
  • Making the assessment of students.
  • Giving and providing feedback.

The possibilities are many depending on a number of factors especially, the exposure of the teachers and students in the field of technology.

Major Change

The use of technology has been started in Teaching-Learning process long time back but, the Covid-19 has tremendously led the school system towards Blended Learning.

CBSE has indicated the use of technology in teaching-learning at various times and made a special effort of educating its educators for Blended Learning amidst Covid-19, by conducting five webinars on Blended Learning, vide  http://www.cbseacademic.nic.in/web_material/Notifications/2021/26_Notification_2021.pdf

So, it becomes obvious for all the school teachers to pay attention to this area.

Not only teachers have to use such tools, rather the students are to be involved in the use of more and more such tools, keeping the main emphasis on the learning outcomes of the prescribed curriculum of all the classes.

These days, majority of the students have natural tendency to use technology but for their own fun and interest. Students can be encouraged to use technology for learning only if teachers themselves are acquainted with the basic tools and tips of technology.

Tips and Tricks on Mobile phone:

Most of the teachers heavily depend on their mobile phones more than on their laptops because these are handy tools. So, it is obvious that they know some basic tips and tricks in this regard.

Tools of Technology:

Below are some simple but very effective Tools and Techniques, teachers can make the best use of:

Gmail Account:

You can open multiple Gmail Accounts for different purposes and manage easily. Signing in different Google tools and apps is very time saving process.

MS Word/ Google Docs:

MS Word/ Google Docs can be used for creating notes, writing reports and question papers, assignments etc. with a very good editor with multiple functions. You can even type with your voice and translate your documents.

MS Excel / Google Sheets:

MS Excel / Google Sheets can be used for preparing fee record, recording the performance of students etc.

MS Power point/Google Slides:

MS Power point/Google Slides can be used for creating various power point presentations with or without animation.

Google forms:

Google Forms can be used for collecting information, feedback, previous knowledge testing (pk testing), assessment of students by using questionnaire/quizzes.

Google Drive:

All the Google platforms that you are working on like Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Forms etc. automatically get linked with your Google Drive.

Google Drive allows you a large space where your documents / sheets / slides get saved without any extra effort. These documents can be opened from any mobile or laptop etc.

Wakelet:

Wakelet can be used for organizing various online resources like links of various YouTube videos, articles on the internet, pdfs, images etc. relating to a particular topic at one place, which can be easily shared with the students.

The biggest advantage of using Wakelet is the ease of checking the source, which one to be used first.

Mindmapping Tool:

There are various mindmapping tools available online, which may be used to create mindmaps for clear, easy and better understanding and linking of concepts. Teachers can explore and decide on their own which one to use.
All the above mentioned tools are free and can be used on mobile as well as on laptop.

This article has been written purely on the basis of personal experience and all these tools have been used by me. The use of Technology Tools depends further on the interest and exposure of the parties concerned: the teacher and the taught.

I would not step back in mentioning the precaution to be taken in this regard:

Excess of everything is bad. Sometimes, I don’t feel like writing the things even when I have to. Too much exploration of new tools on the internet consumes lot of time, that must be utilized properly.

Technical Tips for Teachers