Supporting Narrative for Competency 2: Create

During the EDCI 51300 course, I researched and explored multiple

articles that would assist me in my own classroom and the French
course I am teaching this fall online. The article is a very
condensed presentation of the research looking at the growing
trend of smartphone utilization as a tool for classroom instruction
and learning.
In this final paper, I discuss the application of the of smart phones
into the classroom I researched using the Purdue online library and
the Office of Educational Technology via the Department of
Education, which allowed me to demonstrate my ability to describe
common research methods in Education Technology. I read articles,
briefs, and blogs that helped me to realize how students could best
learn in a blended or online environment and teachers in a
language classroom could engage and inspire learners and promote
21
st
century skills for academic and future success.
Since I had to conduct extensive research about the benefits and
options for introducing technology into the classroom, I was able
to demonstrate my ability to read and evaluate Educational
Technology research by conducting qualitative and quantitative
research. My paper discusses some of the underlying reasons as to
why individuals may struggle without the use of technology in the
classroom across qualitative and quantitative research paradigms
and I argue why it is imperative that teachers move beyond the
traditional classroom methodologies.. I also offered instructional
strategies to integrate online collaboration into the lesson design
because the integration of technology, primarily smartphones, is a
prime example of a condition that should be studied from a mix of
perspectives, using both qualitative and quantitative methods. So,
sharing the application of both produced effective research on my
part. The purpose of the research was to discuss and present the
value of connecting with the learner using online resources and
communities of practice created via social media and Web 2.0 tools
in a language classroom.
Technology is creating vast opportunities and challenges for
schools because of its rapid changes. However, living in the 21st
century, we are surrounded by and inundated with technological
advances that encompass the world we are living in- making it a
much smaller area. Therefore, it is vital that we realize we are not
limited to a classroom with four walls, chairs, desks, and a dry
erase board. Instead, make the four walls come crashing down and
make good use of the tools offered today to engage students and
inspire educators.
Mobile devices seem to be becoming more widely accepted within
schools, with new policies such as BYOB- bring your own
device and grant funding going toward the purchasing of iPads,
Nooks, and tablets. Multimedia content has become more
commonly widespread and the availability of mobile devices that
can actually access the Web, social networking tools expanding
with their role in learning, and the power of gaming offer the 21
st

century learner and teacher so many great opportunities. Because
of this, I felt that the integration of smartphones in a language
classroom was overdue.
In order to apply research findings to the solution of common
problems in Educational Technology, I considered my townships
integration of technology and the BYOD policy. I evaluated where
the integration of smartphones would be best and determined how
to integrate them into my own classroom lesson design, as well as
the development of French III online for the Achieve Academy, the
online high school, within my district.
By evaluating multiple definitions of mobile learning I applied
research findings to deduct that it refers to any feasible device that
allows learners to bring the world to the learners front door. Via the
evaluation of educational technology research, I realized there are
a plethora of Web 2.o tools to be explored and experimented with
to engage students and inspire them. Research methods were
applied when writing my paper about the integration of smart
phones into the classroom. Consideration of delivery methods and
response in order to develop effective pedagogy to solve the issues
we currently have in our language classrooms were applied, and I
was able to develop multiple approaches to the integration to foster
21
st
century skill development.