Using Technology Well is a C.H.O.I.C.E.

Now that technology has been available for a while, it is not good enough to use technology: it is important that one evaluate whether it is used well. That is, there are ways that technology can be carefully selected and utilized that will lead to much more powerful results. This is a guide in response to the critics who suggest that technology is used in traditional ways that do not go beyond what can currently be done in the classroom. When it comes down to it, teachers have a wide variety of choices regarding the type of technology used as well as the way in which it is used.

It is time that a new model of technology is promoted that aligns with best practice research regarding utilization of such a powerful tool as the computer. This guide is only a starting point and provides suggestions for ways to enhance the use of technology.  While it may be unreasonable to expect one to incorporate all of these qualities or that they will all exist in a single lesson, one should come to expect at least several of these characteristics be in place to help assure that technology is being used well and in a way consistent with best teaching practices.

C- Collaborative.  This is one of the easiest, yet most uncommon of the approaches teachers use with technology.  Rather than having students working independently and quietly, teachers should support working collaboratively or at least have students share what was learned with each other.  SMARTboards, a relatively new technology using one computer projected onto a specialized touch screen whiteboard is one of the more effective ways one can use technology in a collaborative way.  Since there is only one computer, students can see how each other manipulate the objects on the screen (board) and provide feedback.

H- Higher-Level Thinking.  Students must be challenged to examine information and then think deeply about it.  This involves solving real problems or taking information and synthesizing or analyzing it for a new purpose.  WebQuests provide excellent opportunities for students to engage in solving problems and take learning to a whole new level.  Another easy approach for using higher-levels of thinking is to have them evaluate information that they are seeking.  For example, instead of having them search and find the 7 natural wonders of the world, have them rank order them on a certain criteria or to explain the criteria they used to rank them. 

O- Open Ended.  Students are more motivated and are generally more creative when given a choice in what type of activity to participate in or how to represent their knowledge of certain information.  Providing several websites for students to choose to interact with is an easy way to facilitate this.  Also, allowing students to choose a program or the way in which they present their final products can assist in this strategy.  Finally, remember when asking lower level questions to allow for freedom in some of their responses.  When searching the web you can ask which site they liked the best and why or what information seemed most interesting to them.

I- Individualized.  In order to help use computers to their potential, use programs or websites that can be customized to individual levels of difficulty.  For example, see that there are different levels available or even better, the technology used can adapt based on the students current knowledge level.  Several remediation programs have this feature and can be utilized to start the students at the level they are at and build from that.

C- Contextual. Time after time, teachers use the computer lab as a place to teach technology in isolation from what is happening in the classroom. While this is not a bad thing, there are many times technology can be used to enhance what is currently being covered in the classroom. In fact, if one would like to share a new technology skill such as how to use PowerPoint, one can simply use what was learned recently as a topic for students to create a PowerPoint. There are an extraordinary amount of websites that can supplement and push students to think further about nearly any topic discussed in the classroom.

E- Engaging. With newer Flash and Shockwave animation capabilities, it is shameful that teachers continue to have students visit websites that are purely text-based. Hyperlinks provide students with the ability to navigate non-linearly, yet the power of the current web is that many sites enable one to manipulate the information that is provided. http://www.starfall.com for example provides students with the opportunity to dissect a frog virtually by manipulating scalpel and scissors in order to do what is much more expensive and complicated to organize in a real-life situation. Virtual field trips of any kind grant users the ability to control their movements based on interest and need.

Remember that it is ALWAYS a C.H.O.I.C.E. when using technology, and one has the ability to use it well depending on the type of technology used and perhaps even more importantly HOW it is used.