Bridgett Rayner

EDU-225
October 5, 2014
Tim Florian

Section 4: Differentiating Instruction through Technology of the Comprehensive
Classroom Technology Plan
For years now, there has been a steady shift in the way that lessons are taught and
students are learning within the classroom. Where it used to be a teacher sitting/standing there
lecturing a subject to students, it is has steadily changed to a classroom where the students are
playing an active role in their education. Traditional teaching has been previously based on a
teacher attempting to push knowledge onto students, hoping that they are listening and learning.
(Smart, 2102). Studies have since shown that student-centered learning, coupled with
technology, can help improve a students learning experience. This essay will show the benefits
of student-centered learning.
A student-centered learning environment is essentially focusing on the students needs,
and allowing them to play an active role in their education. The lessons are still planned just as
they traditionally are, but the teacher tweaks the plan to fit the needs of all the students.
(Cubukcu, 2012). This gives the teacher flexibility, and takes the pressure off of the student as
well. Students learn that they can learn in a way that fits their specific personality and that they
will be getting what they need. When technology is thrown in the mix, this means that the
teacher takes a look at what types of technologies her students best respond to, and she or he
responds accordingly. Technology can be great resource, and by focusing on the students needs,
a teacher can ensure that they will get the most out of their lessons as possible.
Student-centered technology, and learning has been shown to have a positive effect in the
classroom. It is easy to see why this is too. When you give the child control of their own
education, or anything for that matter, naturally they will feel more inclined to actively
participate. This results in the child taking more in than if they had been given no control. In
many stages, research that was conducted with over 2,100 kids and their 124 teachers, certain
instructional practices in three domains were found to have a positive effect on the children.
(McCombs, 2008). This shows that allowing the student to choose what technology is the best
for them will have a great impact on how they do in school, as well as how they view it. When a
child feels like they have freedom in their learning, they begin to gain confidence and may even
gain some self-awareness about who they are. These are all great qualities for a child to learn as
soon as possible.
Everyone wants to feel in control, and for a very long time, the classroom was a place
where the teacher worked hand-in-hand with their lesson plan and never strayed from it.
Everyone was taught in the exact same way, and personalization was not seen. Today, however,
students have been given more freedom to dictate how they learn. Teachers have had to learn to
be more flexible, as well as what technologies there are out there for their students. Children now
use technology as a big part of their learning early on, and this has shown the benefits quickly.
This essay was written to show the effectiveness of student-centered technology in the
classroom. When you give any child the freedom to lead their teacher and show them what
works best, then you get students who are more confident and independent.
References
Cubuku, Zuhal. (2012). Teachers Evaluation of Student-Centered Learning Environments.
Retrieved October 5, 2014 from
http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/eds/detail/detail?sid=113b9ced-3b02-401a-91f5-
eddd8b41d577%40sessionmgr4003&vid=0&hid=4108&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpd
mUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#db=eric&AN=EJ996972
McCombs, Barbara. (2008). Childrens and Teachers Perceptions of Learner-Centered
Practices, and Student Motivation: Implications for Early Schooling. Retrieved October
5, 2014 from
http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/eds/detail/detail?sid=8e5de797-8594-
49e2-81f4-
a4fccdbd6c68@sessionmgr4005&vid=1&hid=4108&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdm
Umc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ==#db=eric&AN=EJ807717
Smart, Karl. (2012) Toward Learner-Centered Teaching: An Inductive Approach. Retrieved
October 5, 2014 from
http://eds.a.ebscohost.com.library.gcu.edu:2048/eds/detail/detail?sid=04938629-c20f-
4b23-9d93-
e2b84e532a53@sessionmgr4002&vid=1&hid=4108&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzLWxpdm
Umc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ==#db=bth&AN=83329494

Link to class website/blog: http://mrsraynerclass.weebly.com/