Technology in Elementary School Classrooms

Projector being used in the classroom

My experience with technology in elementary school will seem very limited compared to what developments are going on nowadays in elementary schools. From kindergarten to third grade, it was all about chalkboards and whiteboards as means of teaching. Then in fourth grade, there were about three computers in the classroom that were reserved to only be used during recess. Even so, the people in my class did not use it for watching shows or playing computer games, they used it for blasting music and dancing in the classroom. Either that, or they would prefer going out to the school yard to play kickball or walk laps and gossip. By the fifth grade, the projector was introduced to the classroom as a means of allowing everyone to see what the teacher was doing on a big screen. Aside from computers in the classroom, there are other ways in which technology has changed the way we do things. For example, I am sure at least a few of you had experienced writing to pen pals in elementary school or sometime in your educational experience. It was a simple pencil to paper activity where kids wrote letters to other kids in different states or sometimes even different countries. The teacher would then put them all in envelopes and mail them out. Now, as technology continues to surround our everyday lives more and more, elementary schools are slowly adopting more current technology as new means of teaching.

Interactive Whiteboard in Use

According to an article about Technology Integration for Elementary Schools, it demonstrates a few key points to follow in order to correctly introduce technology in elementary school classrooms. The article argues that when technology is introduced the right way to kids, they are able to use it effectively and efficiently. 

Here is a break down of how to integrate technology in classrooms:

• Do not use technology for the sake of using technology
• Only use technology if it really enhances the learning process
• Set standard rules about using the equipment (kids should see it as a privilege)
• Allow kids to use the interactive tools (interactive whiteboards, computer, camera) themselves
• Monitor the websites that the kids use (restrict access to non-educational related websites
• Make sure to have back up lesson plans in the case of technical issues

What I found interesting was that the article actually gave examples of real schools enhancing their learning experiences through using technology such as interactive boards, computer research, and even pen pal programs through webcam and sessions. I agree with the article in that there should definitely be a limitation and balance between using technology and using traditional teaching methods. Technology should only be used if it necessary or supports enhanced learning. In today's world where more and more school work requires the Internet and computer usage, it may just be right to start introducing such technologies in elementary school. Perhaps the third graders and older kids are ready for this new change, in my point of view. With all that said, what do you readers think? Is integrating technology in elementary school classrooms a good idea?