Personal Philosophy Paper

 Technology in Education

Summary and Purpose

            In the everchanging twenty first century that we live in, skills and knowledge surrounding technology are imperative. Not only for ourselves as educators, but even more so for the students we are preparing for the “real world”. To me, the purpose of technology in education is twofold. First, it engages and motivates students of all ages to interact with learning in many different subjects. Second, technology is a means of expression that allows students to connect with others, demonstrate their knowledge, and present their unique ideas. As Roblyer & Hughes (2019) state “educational technology is viewed as both processes and resources” (p. 3).

            Although technology in education is not a novel concept, the technology we interact with on a day-to-day basis gives us much more versatility and accessibility then previously available. I believe that as educator it is our duty to prepare students for the environment in which they are growing up in. Many jobs today require skills such as building algorithms/logic-based tools, using various office or google platforms, communicating virtually, creating professional presentations, etc. We would be doing our students a disservice if we did not allow them to interact with various programs and technologies before entering their careers. Hand in hand with this idea, we are responsible for teaching students how to interact with and access these technologies in a safe way. As great as technology can be when integrated seamlessly, there are also many safety and privacy aspects that must be considered. Hertz (2015) brought up a great point in saying that teachers and students do not have to be afraid of social media and new technologies as long as time is taken to teach students how to be responsible, ethical, and safe. With access to a myriad of resources and information, students have the world at their fingertips. This access provides students with many opportunities to learn about topics and hobbies that they are interested in. Learning becomes more exciting when students are going beyond the textbook and pencil and paper tasks.

Biblical Support

            From my perspective, technology is a vessel that can make peoples’ lives easier/better, and it provides a platform to share ideas and spread Christianity. Although God does not necessarily promote technology, it can be seen in many aspects of the bible. One verse that shows His openness is 1 Corinthians 10:31 which states “so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God” (NIV). Here we see that with the right intentions and precautions, technology can be used in a way to glorify God. There are many youth groups that meet online allowing children all over the world to connect and share their support and spirituality. With technology, many people that are less fortunate are able to receive better care and opportunities than they would normally have without technology. In addition, our students are provided with more engaging learning experiences with a wealth of information at their disposal. I believe it is our duty as educators to teach our students how to use these innovations in a safe and responsible way.

             In today’s world with the COVID 19 virus, schools and churches are able to use virtual communication devices to hold classes for students and services for their congregation. Without these platforms such as zoom, or google meet, as well as the hardware, many students and church goers would be missing instruction and weekly services for an extended period of time when they need more support and faith than ever. This sentiment is emphasized in Hebrews 10:25 which states “not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (NIV).

            I believe that millions of people benefit in some fashion from technology. God has created these opportunities for his followers, but we are in charge of using it the right way. I am reminded of this understanding in 2 Tim 1:7 which states, “for the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (NIV). As I mentioned previously, teachers and parents alike are responsible for teaching children how to safely access the benefits that technology provides. With the right coaching, many students can use and profit from the advantages of educational technology.

Concluding Statement

            With my beliefs that educational technology can be an advantage to many individuals, including children, I try to integrate it into my lessons often. This can be done through the presentation of information, such as using a video to introduce a unit rather than just explaining it verbally. In addition, this can be done through the process of a lesson by integrating interactive practice on the smartboard. Students are happy to be in charge of tapping the answer or responding via clicker, iPad, or computer. And last but not least, technology can be integrated into the product of learning or assessment, such as having students present their knowledge in a PowerPoint or Prezi rather than taking a test. As an educator, I hold myself accountable for modeling and teaching best practices when integrating all types of technology.  

 

References

Hertz, M. B. (2015, February 13). Social Media at School: Teaching Safety on the Virtual Playground. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/social-media-school-teaching-safety-virtual-playground.

Roblyer, M. D., & Hughes, J. E. (2019). Integrating educational technology into teaching: transforming learning across disciplines (8th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc.

New International Version Bible. (2016). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2010%3A25&version=NIV

New International Version Bible. (2016). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Corinthians%2010:31&version=NIV

New International Version Bible. (2016). Bible Gateway. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Tim.+1%3A7&version=NIV

 

 

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