1	Why integrate technology into NLU’s work? A talk to the Florida faculty of NLU February 24, 2007 By Craig A. Cunningham, PhD Associate Professor, TIE
2	Agenda What is technology? What is technology integration? Why integrate technology? Is it faster? Is it cheaper? Is it better? When is technology integration worthwhile? What else should you consider?
3	What is technology? Human innovation in action that involves the generation of knowledge and processes to develop systems that solve problems and extend human capabilities www.doe.mass.edu/frameworks/scitech/2001/resources/glossary.html The application of knowledge to meet the goals, goods, and services desired by people. I.E. Technology is more than just computers! So when thinking about technology integration, don’t just think about computers and other digital equipment; think about the entire SYSTEM of education.
4	What is technology integration? Integration is….. the process of achieving unity of effort amongst the various subsystems in the accomplishment of the organization's task.wps.prenhall.com/wps/media/objects/213/218150/glossary.html The useful organization and incorporation of both new and old data, experience, and emotional capacities into the personality. www.indianpsychiatry.com/Glossary.htm the process of incorporating parts, components, elements into a larger defined unit, set, whole .threeseas.net/vic/html/vic-definitions.html The act of combining or coordinating several parts or elements into an entire whole. www.vpsource.com/glossary.html So technology integration into education is... The application of knowledge to improve teaching and student learning in such a way that the whole learning experience is unified.
5	Why integrate technology? Is it faster? Initial course development is SLOWER Initial student learning is SLOWER Technological problems SLOW things down Is it cheaper? Investments in technology are EXPENSIVE Staff development is EXPENSIVE Maintaining up-to-date technology is EXPENSIVE Is it better? …
6	When is technology integration worthwhile? The question of whether technology integration is “better” is, at bottom, a question of whether it helps us achieve our goals. What are our goals? Making money Making our work easier Enjoying our work more Feeling effective Improving schools Making the world a better place What’s our bottom line?
7	If Student Learning is Our Goal Bottom line: Technology integration is worthwhile when it improves student learning. ...of relevant education technologies. …of other important subject matter.
8	Technology can help you to make learning more engaging for students.
9	Technology can be used for Supplying more compelling resources: mining the Internet for real-world data supplying sound, video, animations providing multiple opportunities to compare information and points of view Enabling better learning activities: collecting data (i.e. probes, digital still and video cameras, scanners, audio recordings) storing data to create longitudinal datasets analyzing and charting data to generate hypotheses and conclusions presenting data and points of view Facilitating increased communication: contacting experts learning from people in other places collaborating with distant partners presenting ideas to a real audience (web sites, newsletters)
10	What else should you consider? Tech infrastructure Tech support availability Comfort level of students Digital divide Rate of adoption across demographic Mature vs. Flaky technologies Face to face and/or online “Cool” factor
11	Discussion questions What are you doing NOW with technology that helps you to achieve your goals? What would you LIKE to do with technology that would help you achieve your goals better? What are the challenges that we must overcome?
12	The end Contact me! Craig A. Cunningham, PhD Craig.Cunningham@nl.edu http://craigcunningham.com 1-312-261-3605