Research conducted by the US Department of Education, shared through the National Education Technology Plan indicate that human learning is broken down into three distinct parts: factual knowledge, procedural knowledge, and motivational engagement. The US Department of Education states that in terms of factual knowledge, “technology can be designed to provide much richer learning experiences without sacrificing what traditional learning media offer,” which in turn allows for students to relate previous knowledge to that of their current grade level courses (p. 15.) The article goes on to state that not only is the factual knowledge applicable to using technology in the classroom, “technology can expand and support a growing repertoire of strategies for individual learners by providing scaffolds to guide learners through the learning process, increase communication, and foster online communities,” targeting the procedural knowledge sector of human learning (p. 16.) Lastly, technology is able to offer human learners with motivational engagement in a variety of ways. “The most effective learning experiences are not only individualized in terms of pacing and differentiated to fit the learning needs of particular learners, but also personalized in the sense that they are flexible in content or theme to fit the interests of particular learners,” which is provided through the use of technology primarily through student interest and the ideas that being a lifelong learner is possible for every student (p. 16).
Through the use of the US Department of Education’s National Education Technology Plan and the research completed in my own middle school classroom, it is shown that student academic achievement and overall motivation towards learning are both positively impacted through the use of technology. Because each student is different, using technology to enhance whole class lessons may not be the best fit for every grade level and content. Learning about the students, what motivates them and their preferred style of learning will help each classroom teacher determine the level of technology integration that will fit best for each particular group of students.
LEAH HILL