Reflection of Classroom Technology Integration and Bloom's Taxonomy

Photo from https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/blooms-taxonomy/

Hello again everyone!

Today we're focusing on how much technology is really needed in the classroom to be completely effective when it comes to Bloom's Taxonomy.  Some classrooms contain only one computer (usually used by the teacher) that is hooked up to a projector, some have a few computers, others a portable Chromebook on wheels (COW).  Some schools don't have computers in the classroom but instead have a lab that the student's can be brought to to use the computers.  Still other schools allow students to bring their devices from home (Bring Your Own Device-BYOD).  Each school district is allowed to do its own thing where technology is concerned but from my point of view, some options have more advantages than others.  

I think that the ones that provide the least advantages when it comes to Bloom's Taxonomy are having a few computers in the classroom, going to a computer lab and BYOD.  Having only a few computers in the classroom makes it difficult to reach the technological needs of all students.  It is hard for them to apply the technology concepts they have learned if they do not have access to computers on a daily basis.  The same goes for going to a computer lab.  Having a whole school computer lab means signing up for a time to use the lab and not being able to use it at certain times if it is already signed out.  Although all students would have access to a computer, it would still be hard to stay current with technology if you don't have daily access to it.  When it comes to BYOD, student's would need to remember on a daily basis to bring their device to school and hope it is charged, has the correct programs, is secure and is not too old that it can still support the apps they would be using.  If the student's can't get to the programs they need to build their skills on a daily and even a weekly basis, it makes sense to try a different course.

I personally think that every classroom should have a computer with a projector for the teacher to use.  That way the teacher can share the student's work, show videos and pictures, show presentations and be able to show the student's step-by-step how to use a site.  Being able to do that will allow the student's to take what they've learned and create something of their own.  The school I work at currently has a COW for each class that contains 15 Chromebooks, not quite enough for each class.  The teacher's allow their student's to borrow from other classrooms so they have enough for the whole class or make arrangements ahead of time with another teacher since many of their tests are online.  Allowing a whole class to use Chromebooks allows the students to be creative with presentations, papers and audio.  

Everyone is, of course, entitled to their own opinion.  Money is also a factor for many school districts when it comes to technology.  Hopefully in the near future all schools will be able to have enough technology for all its students.