Advantages of Integrating Technology in Mathematics
According to Robyler (2016. p. 308), "The existence, versatility, and power of technology made it possible and necessary to examine what mathematics students should learn as well as how they can best learn it". Technology integration in math provides opportunities to build student's conceptual knowledge and connect learning to real world problems. When applied, it supports access to mathematical skills and enhance their learning of them.
Preparation of technology use in preservice teachers is a critical issue facing teacher education programs. This article recognizes the growing need for technological literacy and gives example activities for technology integration.
Disadvantages of Integrating Technology in Mathematics
According to Robyler (2016. p. 310), "The CCSS-M hopes to provide a more focused and coherent set of mathematics standards that results in improving mathematics achievement of all students. Helping teachers change their teaching styles to meet this vision is not as easy task since the standards seek a fundamental shift in the way many teachers have learned mathematics and have been taught to teach". Many teachers are going to have to learn a completely new way to teach their students. They will have to make changes to past instruction and quite possibly start from scratch in some areas.
Specific Activities, Programs, Etc.
National Library of Virtual Manipulatives, Geometer's Sketchpad from Keypress, Derive from Texas Instruments, Fathom from Keypress, Spreadsheets such as Microsoft Excel, Math Forum at Drexek: Ask Dr. Math.
Advantages of Integrating Technology in Science
According to Robyler (2016. p. 319), "Technology provides powerful learning tools for engaging students in investigating more complex ideas and problem solving to reveal important interactions among the disciplines while engaging students in an inquiry-oriented science instruction". Student engagement will lead to active learning which aid in success in the academic area. Students need to understand how concepts relate to the real world to fully grasp the concept.
Disadvantages of Integrating Technology in Science
According to Robyler (2016. p. 319), in order to integrate technology in the classroom on a regular basis, one must understand the meaning of technology in the context of science teaching and learning. Many teachers who have taught for years are not very knowledgeable in technology. Therefore these teachers may need some type of professional development to be able to understand how to integrate it successfully.
Funding is another issue many educators and schools face that could be considered a disadvantage to integrating technology. According to this article, "limited budgets were cited as the biggest barrier to accessing technology".
Specific Activities, Programs, Etc.
Globe Project, CBLs and spreadsheets, The Exploratorium Museum, National Science Digital Library, Poll Everywhere, National Academy Press, Night Skies Network.
