“Integration of Technology in Teaching – the Catalyst of Learning”

“Integration of Technology in Teaching – the Catalyst of Learning”

By: G-one T. Paisones

1. Which among of the principles (integration of technology in education characterize by Kovalik & Olsen) struck you most? Why?

Among of the main principles of teaching and learning technology subject integration as characterized by Susan J. Kovalik and Karen D. Olsen; that struck me most are the principles of integrative education bases its practices on the characteristics of the human learner and on the interdependent nature of reality. Instead of artificially dividing the world into "subjects" and using textbooks and seat work, integrative education immerses students in an enriched environment that reflects the complexities of life. This provides a holistic context for learning that leads to a greater ability to make and remember connections, and to solve problems (Susan Kovalik and Karen Olsen 1994). The principles emphasizing on the learners exertion and symbiotic methodology in the metrical world of technology and the acquired knowledge due to the sharing of facts and other information through the modern media of internet.

According to Daniel L. Kain, “integrative education had a little impact on the traditional structure of education;” this means that through the use of technology in the education and the integration of other teaching aids provide the catalyst of competent learning. The traditional structure approach is the derivative of teacher-centered approach of the curriculum in which the method of teaching is focused on the rote learning and memorization and the teacher is the center of the curriculum. Through the advent of technology the traditional system of education shift to the progressive type of curriculum in which the mastery approach stress the students activity by using the medium of technology in their learning.

The principle of learning integration of technology in the curricular system or body of educational establishments enriching the learners’ activity through the following features:

· Technology goes beyond the limit of education to the world of virtual reality

· Technology provide realistic and correlated information

· Technology present new teaching techniques

· Technology give an chance to exploit learning

· Technology conceptualize the e-learning community

· Technology generate an ample learning atmosphere

· Technology maximize the learners’ productivity

· Technology are means of innovative talents in learning

· Technology designed to set the learning quality

Technology offers various tools of learning and these range from non-project and project media from which the teacher can choose, depending on what he sees fit with the instructional setting (Lucido, 2008). Integrated education provides the learners with mastery approach in which it is the outcome or end product of the Constructivism learning theory in which it maintained that humans generate knowledge and meaning from their self-activity and look forward on the mastery of the said activity as the end process of learning; hence, mastery approach underscore the students activity by using the medium of technology in their learning.

2. When can you apply each of the principle?

First-things-first, integrative education must be implemented in the school for the realization of its effectiveness in classroom and any leaning environment within the school premise. Implementation is synonymous with application; implementation refers to the availability and suitability of the technology in the learners’ submission and acquisition of knowledge.

I would apply the integration of technology in education in the following phases:

· Implementation of technology in the school curriculum

· Innovating technological trends of global curriculum

· Creating an E-learning community and environment

· Upgrading the teaching method through technology

· Advancement of learning acquisition of the learners

· Enhancement of the teachers’ teaching effectivity

· Revolutionizing the use of technology to increase educational output

During in the course of my observation in Agusan National High School in Cagayan de Oro city, I had been noticed the different technology gadgets applied in the school and these are the following:

· Selling-fans and electric fans in every classroom

· Television in every room

· DVD player in selected room

· Educational DVD and VCD

· Computer laboratory

· Internet connection