Why Use Technology?

Even at a young age children can benefit from using technology. In the school setting technology is a resource for students, parents and teachers. Research shows that students who use technology have a higher level of achievement and enhance their basic skills of reading, writing and math if they have a chance to practice those skills using technology. Technology offers the same advantages for all students and equalizes the opportunity to learn for all children ("The Impact of Technology on Student Achievement", Apple Education). Apple Education also states, "Students who have the opportunity to use technology to acquire and organize information show a higher level of comprehension and a greater likelihood of using what they learn later in life." In a two-year study by eMints, 85 technology-equipped classrooms participated in the "eMints" study and found that the students who participated scored consistently higher in every subject area on the state's standardized tests. Students are engaged for longer periods of time with the use of technology, which intensifies their basic learning tasks. Students take pride in their work and they are proud of what they can accomplish through the use of technology. When students are proud of their work they increase self-esteem and confidence. Technology motivates students to learn which in return increases the desire to come to school and want to continue on to college. Technology can give students the opportunity to explore other countries and acquire knowledge through interactive Internet activities. Access to the Internet provides students with Web Quests which are exciting interactive learning exercises. "Critical thinking skills are utilized in a Web Quest to interpret, analyze, evaluate, and draw inferences from the information obtained from Internet resources" (What is a Web Quest? by Dr. Alice Christie). Teachers who use technology can enhance instruction by meeting the individual needs of the students who in return will have a higher level of achievement. Teachers can enhance instruction with technology through providing visual aids with projectors and having interactive lessons on the internet which increase s comprehension. Studies show students will retain more information if they are physically involved in the activity. Students individual needs are met through technology because they are able to work at pace that is appropriate for them and they do not feel the pressures of other students who are above or below their academic abilities. Students in return feel good about coming to school and they feel successful. Technology meets the many diverse needs of individuals through the theory of Multiple Intelligence developed by H. Gardner. The theory of multiple intelligence's suggests that there are a number of distinct forms of intelligence that each individual possesses in varying degrees. Gardner proposes seven primary forms: linguistic, musical, logical-mathematical, spatial, body-kinesthetic, intrapersonal (e.g., insight, metacognition) and interpersonal (e.g., social skills). Through technology working parents can communicate easily with their child's teacher via e-mail. Teachers can provide easily accessible information to the community through school and classroom websites. In the article "Why In The World The Web", Jamie McKenzie explains that properly constructed websites are information systems for parents to find educationally worthwhile information and that they can provide visitors with knowledge and insight. Parents can be more involved with their child's progress and create a partnership with the teacher through regular communication. Working together between school and home can only improve student success. A study by Henderson and Berla found "the strongest predictor of academic achievement is the family's ability to create an encouraging home environment, to express high but realistic expectations for achievement and the future, and to become involved in their child's education" (New Generation of Evidence: The Family is Critical to Student Achievement, by Anne T. Henderson and Nancy Berla). Through my own observations in the classroom setting, the children who are the most successful have parents who are involved with their child's education. I encourage parent involvement and I encourage teachers and parents to be partners in their child's education. Technology is another tool to increase parent involvement and to help our children be successful. This website was designed to communicate with parents about the kindergarten classroom and increase parent involvement through providing easily accessible information, via the Internet!