Section 1: Defining the Field

1. If I was to define the field in my words, I would describe it as the use of technology by both the teacher and students within a learning environment. This can include the use of technological equipment and resources located within the classroom to conduct learning experiences. The most relevant example that comes to mind when thinking of my own classroom include our smartboard, student computers located within the classroom, and the student computers located in the school lab. 

This is a picture of the smartboard in our classroom:

This is a picture of our class computer center:

2. Dick, Carey and Carey model of instructional design

This is a view of the model after I modified it for use in my own classroom:  

As you can see this model adheres to the six characteristics in the following way:

1. Learner centered: hands on, cooperative grouping
2. Goal oriented: students create an end result showing a goal has been achieved
3. Focuses on meaningful performance: the design uses objectives and TEKS to provide meaning during instruction.
4. Outcomes are measurable and reliable: assessments, checklists, and strategies are used to determine success
5. Empirical, Iterative, and self-correcting: students use prior knowledge and data is reviewed
6. Team effort: all 3 Kindergarten teachers will be apart of this design, we will also include the assistant principal for leadership purposes.

3. The influence of the internet and the world wide web:

Technology is generally used in the field of education today for the enrichment of learning and for planning purposes. Most students only use technology during certain parts of their day. This can include “computer lab” time, center time, or even for when a student finishes work early. Educators use technology for finding new lessons, grade reporting, attendance, and sometimes even with whole group instruction.   

I foresee technology being used more in the future for both K-12 education, higher education, and adult education. I believe students in K-12 will eventually all have personal computers, which will be taken to and from school. These computers will then take over the use of paper-pencil. In my current district, students in grades 5-12 are issued student laptops. All class work, homework, and major projects are completed on their laptops. For both higher education and adult education, I believe there will be a greater push for the use of blogs and for the use of Skype. Students can then participate in different types of discussions with professors, instructors, and peers.