Relative Advantage of Instructional Software

In reflection, I am finding these assignments difficult to do.  For me, it is not difficult to think of how to integrate technology.  The hard part is thinking of what my classes might have been like without technology.  It is straining to come up with a relative advantage when I don't think about teaching in a tech-less classroom.

I'm a career changer and last year was my first year teaching.  This year, I switched to a district position.  While in the classroom, I taught computer programming and science (but I used tech heavily in the science classes).  While I have seen many classrooms that don't use technology, it is difficult to see why teachers don't see the advantages to using technology when we have it so readily available.  I feel like I am being asked to talk about the relative advantage to driving a car versus riding a horse.  I could do that, but I would need to dig deep to understand what riding a horse is like.

I'm not saying this exercise is a waste of time.  On the contrary, it will strengthen my empathy and ability to help other teachers.  I am glad for the opportunity to understand what teachers used to do before ClassDojo allowed them to easily compile data on student behavior for parent-teacher conferences.

Resources for evaluating appropriate software in the classroom:

Geissinger, H. (1997, December 7). Educational Software: Criteria for Evaluation. Retrieved from Ascilite: http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/perth97/papers/Geissinger/Geissinger.html

ISTE Standards Teachers. (2008). Retrieved from International Society for Technology in Education: http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/20-14_ISTE_Standards-t_PDF.pdf

Marcinek, A. (2015, February 6). Future Ready: Roadmaps to Tech Integration. Retrieved from Edutopia: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/future-ready-roadmaps-tech-integration-andrew-marcinek

Vega, V. (2013, February 5). Technology Integration Research Review. Retrieved from Edutopia: http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-research-learning-outcomes