Technology (ICT) Integration Planning, Issues & Models

Technology integration

Technology integration is the use of technology resources -- computers, mobile devices like smartphones and tablets, digital cameras, social media platforms and networks, software applications, the Internet, etc. -- in daily classroom practices, and in the management of a school. 

"Effective integration of technology is achieved when students are able to select technology tools to help them obtain information in a timely manner, analyze and synthesize the information, and present it professionally. The technology should become an integral part of how the classroom functions -- as accessible as all other classroom tools." -- National Educational Technology Standards for Students, International Society for Technology in Education

Planning Digital Technology Integration

Cradler (2004) studied beliefs and presented the following guidelines to creating a digital technology plan and its implementation.

1. Have rationale for the use of digital technological resources in teaching learning process

2. Involvement of administrators, teachers, students, parents, and community in the decision-making process related to acquisition of digital technology

3. Need to develop positive thinking for most cost-effective uses of digital technology

4. Alignment of digital technological tools and application with the curriculum

5. Identifying the specific training and assistance needs of teachers related to use of digital technology

6. Utilization of existing digital resources in accordance with the digital technology plan

Key Challenges/Issues

•Resisting attitudes of teachers

•Lack of adequate training and experience

•Accountability for test scores

•Lack of access to internet

•Poor searching techniques

Models of technology integration

Welliver's Instructional Transformation Model 1990

SAMR Model of technology integration

Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK)