Personal Philosophy on Technology in Education

 

Personal Philosophy

 

Lawrence McCorvey

Liberty University

EDUC630: Technology Practices for Instructional Improvement

Dr. Richard Bragg

March 30, 2025

 

 

            The use of technology is a must when teaching in our current society. I only need to reflect on my previous days when I pursued my undergraduate degree in the early 90’s and compare it to my current days pursuing my masters degree in 2025. During  my undergraduate career, I sat in lecture halls and took notes with pen and paper on a daily basis. I sat for hours along with other students as we all shuffled papers and wrote in short-hand trying to make sure we captured every important piece of information our professor spoke. After an hour of transcribing this lecture by hand, we would all pack our things in our back packs or book bags and get in line to walk out of the lecture hall to our next class, our dorm, or the school cafeteria. In contrast, today, as I am working on my graduate degree, I am sitting here typing this paper for a class I take entirely online. I have not had to physically walk into any lecture hall. I have not physically met any of my classmates, and I have not physically met any of my professors. All of my communication with my professors has been via technology such as through canvas, email, or instant message. I do watch some lectures, but all have been by video. When I am done watching and listening to the lecture, I just turn my computer off and continue with the rest of my day. I do not have to navigate standing in lines with other classmates as everyone files out of a lecture hall on the way to their next destination. This comparison between my college experiences shows the difference technological implementation in education makes. Even though there are negatives as well as positives, the difference between limited to no technology and added technology is huge.

            As an educator, I believe that we are obligated to implement technology when teaching our students. When we add technology to our lessons, students can receive more information in a shorter period of time. With the use of technology, many students are able to complete some assignments in class while the instructor is present instead of taking the work home. “Work that is typically done as homework is better undertaken in class with the guidance of the instructor” (Herreid C. & Schiller N., 2013). The ability to receive and do more work in a shorter period of time allows for students to have the ability to receive and process more information. Thus, they can be more thoroughly educated. This is one major reason educators must include technology when teaching students.

            Differentiation in the educational process is another very important reason teachers are responsible for implementing technology. Students come from different backgrounds and have different ways of processing information. Some students learn better visually, some learn better audibly, and other students learn better by physically being involved in the lesson. Infusing technology into the teaching process gives teachers the ability to differentiate lessons and provide the varied experiences students need so they can learn effectively.

            In order to be the best teachers possible, each educator is responsible for doing their best to reach and teach each student in the most effective way. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (NIV., Coll. 3:23). This scripture encourages us towards excellence in everything which includes teaching. Implementing technology as we teach helps us to teach in an excellent manner. In addition to this, teachers must take our job seriously as we affect so many learners. “Not many of you should become teachers my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (NIV., Jam. 3:1). Although the Apostle was speaking of teachers of the Word of God, I believe that educators today will also be judged more strictly for how we educate our students. Along with this, the Bible also reminds students how important it is to receive instruction. “Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life” (NIV., Prov. 4:13). This scripture shows how important instruction is, and that it needs to be taken seriously by students as well as teachers.

“In order to be productive with technology, a teacher must first identify the hardware and software tools available in the school and classroom” (Hughes & Roblyer, 2022). The position I have taken to integrate technology in the classroom dictates that I identify the most appropriate tools available and use this technology when teaching every lesson. In addition, I also require students to use technology in some form to complete every assignment. “The new language of today for the student is technology” (Delzer, 2015). I believe this statement is correct. My students are all considerably younger than me. Sometimes I don’t understand the way they speak and vice versa. However, we use technology to bridge the gap, as it is the language that helps us to communicate and understand each other.

 

 

References

Delzer, K. [Tedx talks] (2015, October 13). Reimagining Classrooms: Teachers as Learners and Students as Leaders [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/w6vVXmwYvgs?si=5_sKBMWhr9bp6rcX

Herreid, C. F., & Schiller, N.A. (2013). Case Studies and the Flipped Classroom. Journal of College Science Teaching, 42(5), 62-66. http//www.jstor.org/stable/43631584 

Hughes, J.E. & Roblyer, M. D., (2022). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching. https://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BB00759593

The Holy Bible: New International Version. (1983). Hodder and Stoughton. (Original work published 1978).