An Annotated Bibliography on

The use of Technology in the Elementary Education Classroom

Gray, L., Thomas, N. & Lewis, L. (2010). Teachers use of

educational technology in U.S. public schools: 2009-.
first look. National Center for Education Statistics,
1-70. Retrieved from http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED504
9514.pdf

This article states research about the use of

technology among teachers in public elementary and
secondary schools in the US. This research was conducted
during the winter and spring of 2009. This report was a
national level survey teachers participated in that covered
a wide array of topics. There were many key findings from
this research ranging from the amount of time teachers used
computers during instructional time to how many computers
were in a classroom. Research indicates that 97% of
teachers have at least one computer in their classroom and
internet access was available to 93% of teachers in their
classrooms.

After reading this article I realize how lucky my

students are to have daily access to four working computers
and the internet. There is also a Smart board in my
classroom. It is very important for teachers to make good
use of technology in there classroom. Using a Smart board,
is an interactive and hands on way to get students involved
in their learning. In elementary students to succeed in
learning it is vital they receive hands on learning with
active manipulation of their environment.

Means, B. (2010). Technology and education change: focus on

students learning. Journal of Research on Technology
in
Education, 42(3), 285.307. Retrieved from:
http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/EJ882507.pdf

This research looks at technology use in the classroom

and its association with student achievement gains. In the
years 2005-2007 there was gains in technology
implementation in the classroom but no gains were found in
teacher assigned technology based learning activities.
Research states that technology use in the classroom is
still the exception and not the rule. Many teacher
practices have not changed since the mid 20th century.
 After reading this article I came to the conclusion
that using technology is essential in today’s society but
technology or use of the Smart board should be used as a
supplement or lesson extension and not as the main teaching
tool. It is very important for students to get a hands on
approach to learning from the use of manipulatives and from
the teacher. There are many different learning styles in a
classroom and some students may learn better from watching
the material on a computer on Smart board. Technology can
benefit the visual student and also the auditory learner.

Bellamy, J. S., & Mativo, J. M. (2010). A different angle for

math. Technology Teacher, 69(7), 26-28. Retrieved from
http://www.iteea.org/Publications/ttt.htm

This research focuses on how to make technology in the

curriculum meaningful to middle school students. It
discusses ways to address subject and teaching methods in
the classroom. Relating student learning with real life
experiences is the key to learning. Many times students
will forgot material they do not feel is worthwhile for
them to learn.

Even though this article was written for middle and

high school students, it can be related to an elementary
curriculum as well. Even as an elementary learner, students
need to feel that the subject matter is important and can
be related to experiences they have had or will have soon.
Teachers who can relate new experiences to prior learning
will have more success in the classroom.

Ertner, P. A., & Ottenbreit-Leftwich, A. T. (2010). Teacher

technology change: how knowledge, confidence, beliefs, and
culture intersect. Journal of Research on Technology in
Education, 42(3), 255-284. Retrieved from: www.iste.org/jrte

This research looks at how teachers use technology in

the classroom. How should technology integration change to
better meet the needs of the students? Research leads us to
believe that teachers are not using technology to better
enhance our students. Most teachers are still using the way
they were taught to teach their students.

It is very important for teachers to use technology in

the classroom to supplement the basil or any other teaching
 tool. Technology continues to increase and as teachers we
should incorporate into our everyday teaching. Using
technology is a great way to bring visual images to a
child’s eye.

Lei, J. (2010). Quantity verses quality: a new approach to

examine the relationship between technology use and student
outcomes. British Journal of Educational Technology, 41
(3), 455-472. doi:10.1111/1467-8535.2009.00961.x

This research looks into the quantity of technology

verses quality of technology. There was a significant
finding when research measured quantity technology research
used in increasing student achievement compared with
minimal gain of teachers using quantity technology. General
technology showed a positive gain in student achievement
while subject related technology showed a negative
association with student learning.

This research is applicable to my classroom because I

understand the value of using quantity technology everyday.
It does my students no good to use technology if they are
not benefitting from it. Technology is best used as a
supplement to your teaching tools rather than as the main
source. Technology is great to show visual interpretations
of objectives or to use as an extension to a lesson.

Blankenship, M. (2010). Plugged in or tuned out? student and

educators reflect on current technology in the
classroom. Education Digest: Essential Reading Condensed for
Quick Review, 75(5), 61-64. Retrieved from:
http://www.eddigest.com/index/php

This research discusses educators and students view on

current technology practices in the classrooms. Just as how
DVD players are now seen very often technology is advancing
at a pace where today’s technology will soon become the
past. Classroom technology will only be as valuable as the
educators and students who unite in human experience.

This research is useful because once again it

reiterates the importance of using meaningful quality
technology and not just mediocre. Technology can be
wonderful if teachers implement it correctly. In today’s
society it is imperative that teachers use technology in a
way that will positively enhance student learning.
Schaffhauser, D. (2009). Which came first-- the technology or
the pedagogy? T.H.E Journal, 36(8), 27-32. Retrieved
from
http://www.thejournal.com/

This research points out that teacher expertise with

pedagogy is not a substitute for technology. Technology is
a great way to implement interaction using a Smart board
but should in no way be the main teaching tool. There is a
debate between school districts and university professors
about technology education to pre-service teachers. New
teachers have to be taught the pedagogy and skills in order
to teach students but also how to integrate technology in
the curriculum while still teaching the lesson.

The research in this article is very useful to

teachers because it is so important for teachers to know
content and subject matter in order to teach students the
subject matter. Teachers have to be knowledgeable in order
to guide their students. Technology can be very useful but
only when used to reinforce a skill or as an enrichment
opportunity.

Ertmer, P. A. (2005). Teacher pedagogical beliefs: the final

frontier in our quest for technology integration?
Educational Technology Research and Development,
53(4),
25-40. Retrieved from:
http://www.aect.org/Publications/index.asp.

Research indicates that even though technology is

readily available to teachers, high levels of technology
are still not being used. One reason for this is related to
teacher’s pedagogical beliefs. The first step to
integrating technology into the classroom is a teacher’s
pedagogical beliefs.

The articles that I have reviewed thus far point to

pedagogy as the first step to using technology. I agree
with this. Teachers must understand the content they are
teaching and how to teach the material before technology
can be integrated into the subject matter. As mentioned
numerous times above, technology comes second to pedagogy
and must be used a supplement only.

Miners, Z. (2009). Classroom technology integration. District

 Administration, 45(4), 35-38. Retrieved from:
http://www.districtadministration.com

The research from this article discusses the

importance of professional development to aid in helping
teachers learn how to integrate technology. Professional
development is very important to educators so they can
prepare students in the global 21st century. Without
professional development, teachers will not have the
resources they need to prepare students for the global 21st
century.

This research will help me with my paper because it

enlightens readers to the importance of professional
development opportunities for educators. It is imperative
for educators to have the resources to better prepare their
students for the future. In order for technology to be
integrated into the curriculum in a way that benefits
students teachers must be taught how to do it.

Palak, D. & Walls, R. T. (2009). Teacher’s beliefs and

technology practices: a mixed methods approach.
Journal on
Research of Technology Education, 41(4), 417-441.
Retrieved
from: http://www.iste.org

This research aims to find if teachers believe a shift

to student centered learning is happening. Some studies
believe that frequent computer use by students is causing a
shift from teacher oriented learning to student centered
learning. Research is inclusive about the shift from
teacher centered learning to student centered.

This research will be useful to my paper because it

discusses why professional development programs for
teachers are useful when learning how to integrate
technology into the curriculum. The researcher is also
looking to find if there is indeed a shift in learning.
This will be very interesting to see if the pendulum will
begin swinging in an opposing direction.