In the last few years, the education system has experienced major changes due to technology. Technology is being used today in all levels of education mostly in teaching and training. Although there are various challenges being experienced in the process of integrating the modern technology to traditional education systems, massive progress has been made so far. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to demonstrate three technology-based instructional tools that can be integrated with my mini-unit to support the learning process. The mini-unit entailed students reading a persuasive text and trying to use the text to persuade the audience on a specific topic. Technology-based instructional tools are important in persuasive class because of the ability to enhance the audience experience and making understanding and demonstration of the text easy. Some of the technology-based instructional tools which will be used in mini-unit include eVoc, clickers, and Smart Board.
Rationale
eVoc
Effectiveness in instructions is dependent on the explicit and clear statements which indicate what the student should do, because of a sequence of instructions provided. Some of the factors that contributed to the selection of eVoc as one of the technology-based instructional tools for the mini-unit are the importance of understanding words that present an idea or a concept in a given text (Armstrong, 2014). When reading, students tend to face challenges resulting to statements such as, “I have never heard this word before” among others. Once students face this challenge, it affects his or her confidence. Using eVoc, students will be able to develop a metacognitive knowledge which is essential in the application of knowledge and strategy for learning vocabularies.
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Clickers
Clickers are some of the most effective technology-based instructional tools for use in the persuasive classroom. Some of the reasons that contributed to the selection of the tool are due to its ability to facilitate class discussion, where the shy students will be encouraged by polling them together and helping them provide the reasons they have for their opinion on the topic they are presenting (Armstrong, 2014). Also, the tool will encourage peer instructions, where students will be allowed to share their answers to the different questions raised by the audience, hence enhancing their understanding of the topic.
Smart Board
There are major benefits of bringing an interactive whiteboard in a classroom where students are expected to read a persuasive text. Using this technology-based instructional tool, the student will be able to interact and share in the instructional process. Interactivity will help the student demonstrate their grasp of the topic through writing, touching and drawing. Also, the tool requires low maintenance because they are easy to use and neat (Schrum, 2014). The presenter will not waste time cleaning or maintain the board.
How the Technologies Are Aligned With the Objectives and Are Appropriate and Engaging for the Students
eVoc
One of the objectives of the mini-unit is to ensure students are able to read the persuasive text. When reading the text, understanding vocabularies is essential in increasing student’s experience. Therefore, eVoc is a technology-based instructional tool which can be used in the mini-unit, to help students enhance their vocabulary (Schrum, 2014). eVoc can be used by students either directly or by teachers. During the mini-unit where the students are supposed to read a text to persuade audience on a given topic, the eVoc will be used by the student in the preparation stage, so that his or her text can be of high quality due to the appropriate use of vocabularies. Although technology pervasiveness in the 21st Century has affected major sectors of education, accessing information the use of technology in offering literacy and vocabulary instructions has not been effectively done but using eVoc, the students will not only present well structured persuasive text, but they will be able to express themselves effectively.
Clickers
This is a technology-based instructional tool which makes it easy in gathering related feedbacks from the students. The tool is also known as Student Response system, and it ensures teachers or students get feedback after a presentation or a lesson. During the mini-unit, the tool will be used to ensure students can respond to the various questions electronically. When the students are making their presentations, the tool can be used by audiences to ask questions without interrupting the presentation (Armstrong, 2014). The presenter will be expected to go through the questions once he or she is done with the presentation, and give answers directly using the tool. The mini-unit audiences are from different ethnic backgrounds, i.e., Hispanic, Asia, African-Americans, and White hence, once the presenter offer answers using the Clickers, they will be able to go through the text during their free time hence making the persuasive presentation clearer.
Smart Board
Smartboard is the latest technology-based instructional tool in the education sector. The tool is a replacement for the traditional overhead projector. The tool has turned popular to students of all ages due to its ability to turn a typical class into an environment fun for learning (Armstrong, 2014). Using the technology, a classroom is enriched through the hand of collaboration and the perfect learning setting it creates. The primary objective of the mini-unit is to offer the students an opportunity to create text and present to the audience, with the aim of persuading them into a given topic. The Smart Board, students will be able to make their presentations more persuasive by the use of multi-media such as images, videos, games, maps, and others (Schrum, 2014). Therefore, the technology will enhance student engagement by enriching the classroom experience through expanded content nature which is essential in learning.
References
Armstrong, A. (2014). Technology in the classroom: It's not a matter of if,but'when and'how.' The Education Digest, 79(5), 39. Schrum, Lynne. (2014). Technology as a Tool to Support Instruction. Education World. Retrieved from http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech004.shtml
