Technology has come a long way. Many students today are highly digitally literate from a very young age, so it makes sense to incorporate devices/softwares they are comfortable with outside of school into their learning, and this holds many benefits. Some of these benefits include:
increases students' motivation and engagement
provides wide access to a range of sources of information
caters to different types of learners
supports student collaboration
ability to personalise students' learning
prepares students with real life skills
creates links between home and school
Take a look below at some students' views on technology:
Australian Curriculum -
In your child's classroom, they are working towards the Year 3 standard Content Descriptors, as shown below. Students are to explore a range of digital systems with different purposes, which is why students are exposed to numerous different softwares in the classroom with focus on different areas. Students look at representing data using technology, and this is something that has been a focus in our classroom throughout our mathematics unit.
For a long time, it has been understood that it is important for teachers to bring together knowledge of subject matter as well as knowledge of good teaching. With the increase in technology, pedagogy is transformed with new ways to engage learners. Teachers must know bring together knowledge of subject matter, good teaching and knowledge of technology. This is outlined in the TPACK framework which states the importance of deep knowledge of technology and how this can be used to access subject matter as well as to support and enhance learning. This is a framework being applied in your child's classroom.
The SAMR model is a framework which allows teachers to asses and evaluate the technology being used in the classroom. Ensuring that technology is used in an effective way rather than only at a level of substituting something else is vital in using technology effectively in the classroom. This framework is used in your child's classroom to maintain effective technology integration.