In this column, we'll look at two models for technology integration and learning new instructional strategies. For example, they may allow students who finish their work early to spend some time using educational CDs at the back of the classroom. Students may also get to visit the computer lab for 30-45 minutes a week, although the instruction is rarely connected to what goes on in the classroom. It is usually limited to basic skills reinforcement.
Students use the computer for research, communication, and presentations three to four times a week.
The learning is structured and teacher-directed, offering little opportunity for student choice. However, levels of integration may vary within a school, with one teacher encouraging and requiring the use of technology, while another teacher down the hall rarely uses the computer. The teacher serves as a guide, asking questions and facilitating the thinking process. The learning is student-centered, with pupils making choices about research topics and methods of presentation. First, we must understand the time requirements for staff development.