Transcript Slide 1

The Role and Barriers of Integrating
Technology in the U.A.E Secondary School
Science Curriculum
By
Dr. Hassan A. Hussein
[email protected]
e
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Introduction
Many studies show that effective use of
technology does not only improve academic
achievement but also increases students’
attitudes and self-concepts towards learning.
There are five reasons for using technology in
education: i) increased teacher efficiency;
ii) enhanced student information age skills;
iii) support for constructivist approaches;
iv) unique instructional capabilities;
v) increased student motivation.
Schoepp, K. (2005)
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Areas of particular importance in KG through
12th grade science and related technology
• Technology design and improvement. (e.g.,
processes for meeting changing human needs, improving on development
and uses of resources, improving systems, creating new materials);
• Technology in our lives. (e.g., communication,
transportation, medical uses, personal care, household uses,
entertainment);
• Technology for learning. (e.g., information retrieval, asking
questions/finding answers, computing, experimenting, data
gathering/analysis/ storage, networking, assessment, problem-solving,
communicating).
Roblyer, M. D., & Edwards, J. (2000)
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Introduction
Throughout human history, there has been
technology of many different forms. Rocks
used as hammers, animal hide slingshots,
and bone sewing needles.
Technology has, for decades, referred to the
tools of science, such as microscopes, X-ray
devices, balances and even meter sticks.
In our everyday lives, commonly used
technology tools have included automobiles,
telephones, eyeglasses and washing
machines.
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Introduction
Many classrooms in U.A.E schools have
technology equipments such as computers.
But teachers may use them only to prepare
lessons, to check attendance but their most
important use by far is not in the role of
instruction.
Traditional or teacher-centered strategy,
which has been used widely in the UAE
school system where there is the persistence
of rote memorization as the basic learning
strategy.
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Introduction
Dramatic growth and development in
the UAE over past decades have made
fundamental changes in the education
system necessary; hence improving the
quality of public school teachers
became the heart of government
efforts to achieve excellence in the
classroom.
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Introduction
Three years ago new curriculum was
introduced by Abu Dhabi Educational Council
(ADEC) to reform the education system by
embedding continuous quality improvement
of teaching and learning. This new curriculum
is a standard-based curriculum in which
teachers design learning to enable their
students to reach the level of understanding
and to use technology is a part of learning
process.
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Barriers of technology
integration into science
curriculum
Teachers lack
technology
skills
Utilizing traditional
teaching method
Lack of technology
Integration
Science Teachers Lack Technology
Skills
Lack of technology in UAE schools may be
due in part to the fact that teachers have not
been given opportunities to develop personal
computer skills or to design specific
classroom applications using technology.
Therefore, they do not have the ability to
employ technology to improve student
learning, or to further personal or
professional development.
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Lack of Technology Integration in
the Science Curriculum
Most students in U.A.E schools, at all age
levels, might have some expertise in the use
of technology, however U.A.E secondary
school students should recognize that
science and technology are interconnected
and that using technology allows students
more autonomy in practicing higher-order
thinking skills.
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Role of Technology in U.A.E. schools
In order for schools in the U.A.E to progress,
teachers should be proficient in integrating
technology into their classrooms. They must
have the ability to employ technology to
improve student learning.
The use of technology have a little impact on
students learning science if teaching does
not move toward more student-centered and
inquiry-based practice
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Utilizing Traditional Teaching
Method
In this approach, students are not allowed the
flexibility to choose different activities in the
same unit of work as there is not a variety of
lesson activities. In the meantime computer
technology is used only for drill, practice and
mastery of basic skills.
This method makes technology use less
effective, even with increased availability of
technology tools in schools
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Conclusions and Recommendations
► Many UAE students can not integrate
technology into learning about and doing
science projects, thinking through problems
due to lack of technology use in the science
classroom.
► Technology should be integrated, not as a
separate subject or as an occasional project,
but as a tool to promote and extend student
learning on a daily basis
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Conclusions and Recommendations
Science teachers should use studentcentered strategies such as
◊ Discovery learning
◊ Inquiry-based learning
◊ Cooperative learning
◊ Computer-assisted learning
◊ Problem solve learning
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Conclusions and Recommendations
► In order to incorporate technology-based
activities and projects into their curriculum,
science teachers first must find the time to
learn to use the tools and understand the
terminology necessary for participation in
projects or activities.
► Therefore, professional developments
are crucial for science teachers to ensuring
teacher proficiency in technology
integration.
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Reference
Dede, C. (2000). Emerging Influences of Information Technology on
SchoolCurriculum. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 32(2), 281-304.
Germann, P., & Sasse, C. M. (1997). Variations in concerns and
attitudes of science teachers in an educational technology
development program. Journal of Computers in Mathematics and
Science Teaching, 16 , 405-423.
Schoepp, K. (2005). Barriers to Technology Integration in a
Technology-Rich Environment. Learning and Teaching in Higher
Education: Gulf Perspectives, 2 (1), 1 - 24.
Hill, H., Rowan, B., and Ball, D. L. (2005). Effects of teachers'
mathematical knowledge for teaching on student achievement.
American Education Research Journal, 42(2), 371-406.
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Thank you
Any Question
?
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