New Perspectives in Science Education
Fostering Student’s Engagement in the Digital World: Technology - A Boon or a Barrier?
Geetika Goyal, Ellis Guilford School (United Kingdom)
Abstract
School education is stepping into the new phase worldwide with the more use of technology within the classroom. It’s a theme of debate between instructors and technology fostering student’s engagement in active learning. This paper presents a comparative study of student’s engagement with instructor’s experience of using technology within the classroom, especially for the Science education. Science education emphasis more on hands-on experience for better engagement but interesting to work out how technology overcome these barriers and supply similar results. In science lessons, students are introduced with different tools to maximise participation. These tools not only help them to gain real-life experience but also make them more confident learners. Alongside scientific skills, it also helps them to develop IT skills, necessary in this digital era for lifelong learning. The results of each lesson are evaluated based on how confident instructors and students are with technology, student’s involvement, clearing misconceptions at an early stage, and opportunities to develop real-life skills.
Keywords: technology, digital world, student engagement, secondary science education.
References:
- Guzman, A., & Nussbaum, M. (2009). Teaching competencies for technology integration in the classroom. Journal of computer Assisted learning, 25(5), 453-469.
- “How Technology Can Boost Student Engagement,” 2014, Pearson
- D.G. Duncan (2000) Using Computers in the Classroom: A Boon or Bust?, Journal of Computer Information Systems, 40:4, 1-4, DOI: 10.1080/08874417.2000.11647461
- Kirkscey, R. (2012). Secondary school instructors’ perspectives on the integration of information and communication technologies (ICT) with course content. American Secondary Education, 17-33.
- Gayle A. Buck, Nicole Beeman-Cadwallader and Amy Trauth-Nare (2016). Improving K-12 STEM Education Outcomes through Technological Integration Series: Advances in Early Childhood and K-12 Education, Page 86
- J. Voogt, G. Knezek, M. Cox, D. Knezek and A. Ten Brummelhuis (2013). Under which conditions does ICT have a positive effect on teaching and learning? A Call to Action Journal: Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, Volume 29, Number 1, Page 4
