Technology Based Problem Solving

According to Roblyer and Doering, technology can be used to support students learning needs by helping them visualize abstract concepts.  This flipchart (http://www.prometheanplanet.com/en-us/Resources/Item/92684/factors-that-affect-incom) from Promethean Planet has the potential to do this by helping them understand the complexity of the issues that affect income. For example, it can help students understand that seemingly abstract concepts such as what they like to do, what they are good at, how they networking with friends, and how that evaluate potential jobs, can all come together to determine their income in the future.

This flipchart is designed for use on an interactive whiteboard, specifically a Promethean Board. This is an electronic board that combines the capabilities of presentation software with those of a traditional chalkboard, with the use of a special “pen.” (Roblyer and Doering, 2013) Several slides in the flipchart linked above could be used in this manner. The Self-Assessment Inventory is a good example of this. Students could come to the board and fill out strengths, weaknesses, and plans of action, or the teacher can take input from the class and write it in for them.  The job evaluation slide would work this way as well.

Using technology such as this flipchart would be irrelevant without essential conditions for integrating technology, such as budgeting for yearly technology purchases. “Technology changes too rapidly to expect that one time technology purchases of equipment or software will suffice.” (Roblyer and Doering, 2013, p. 65) For this reason a budget in necessary to allow for software upgrades, repairing or replacing damages equipment, and upgrading to new equipment as software requirements change. (Roblyer and Doering, 2013)

Technology based problem solving can be a great tool in the classroom, but only with the right software/hardware combination, software support tools, and conditions conducive to technology integration. (Roblyer and Doering, 2013)

References:

 Roblyer , M. D.,& Doering, A. (2013). Integrating educational technology into teaching. (6th ed.,). Boston, Massachusetts: Pearson Education, Inc.