My Philosophy of Instructional Technology

Kraig Schenker

I have an extensive background for teaching and coaching coming into this class. I have a vast amount of successful experiences to draw from. I do have a long ways to go the be as technologically advanced as my future students. This class has exposed me to various ways to reach my students through technology. Technology is like a lot of other things in life. You are as good as your past experiences and lessons. You have to start with where you presently are, and expand and grow from there. I have always been able to relate and communicate with my students. This class has provided me with more tools to enable me to relate to students more. My teaching and student relationship skills will only improve in the future with more implementation of the instructional technology skills this class has introduced to me. I plan to keep being eclectic and grow my educational skills from here. I have always felt that being able to relate to students and their experiences was important. Improving in areas of instructional technology will only help me to expand on my educational skill set.

Teachers focus on teaching students first-level technology skills, which include how to work technology, but many teachers ignore the second-level skills of knowledge integration and a deeper understanding of analyzing information (Fulton, 1997). This is a good lesson for me. I intend to use and apply more of my experienced from Instructional Technology 222 to get beyond just introductory levels. I intend to use and implement my newly acquired skill set on a more in depth level. Bauer and Kenton (2005) said that computer technology is an effective way to widen educational opportunities, but teachers are not using technology as an instructional delivery system. Bauer and Kentons research found that teachers were highly educated and skilled with using technology, but teachers were not integrating technology on a consistent basis in the teaching and learning process.

I also feel that it is important to help students get the hands on approach to educational technology. I need to introduce this to my students, guide them to get it started, and then help them to expand on their competency levels as me grow and expand in my classes.

Research Source: Dr. Lynette Molstad Gorder is an associate professor in the College of Business and InformationSystems, Dakota State University, Madison, SD 57042.Volume L, No. 2, Spring/Summer, 2008.