Tazna Levy
Julaine Moore
Charleen Robinson
Orenton Tennant
Introduction
This literature review will focus on three articles that address the issue of Implication of Software Integration in the curriculum. Software Integration is the process of linking together different computing systems and software applications physically or functionally. This literature review was done to establish a common theme among all three articles. It also entails an overview of all three articles. We meticulously scrutinized the articles in our own words. The main argument establish in all three articles is the use of technological software to deepen and enhance the learning outcome in classrooms.
The first article entitled: Software design to support discussion in the primary curriculum (1998), written by R. Wegerif, N. Mercer and L. Dawes states that it is important to establish a framework for the integration of teaching strategies and design software to benefit the educational discussion within the primary curriculum. They also focused on two educational programs which were designed to be used in combination with a series of lessons to instruct the use of “exploratory talk” in small work groups. The first item of software evaluated, focused upon the different off-computer lessons in exploratory talk, and the second evaluation shows that by combining software design with off-computer coaching of exploratory talk will enhance the quality of interaction at the computer.
The second article entitled: Technologies across Our Curriculum: A study of technology Integration in the Classroom (2010) written by Fattaneh G. Cauley, L. Keith Whitney, K.Damon Aiken served to examine the comfort level of the students in using computer and specialty software to analyze business problems. This article reveals that the use of technology in classrooms has become a major component of today’s business education where computers and specialty software are commonly used in instruction. This article also focuses on the growth of technology and their benefits to today’s instruction.
The third article entitled: Why Integrate Software into the curriculum? (2008) written by Edutopia Staff implies that Software Integration really ensures that “no child is left behind” because technology allows teachers to use different software to ensure that every students is motivated and engaged. The students respond very well to the software tool, it wakes them up, gets them excited and involved. Software Integration introduces children to new ways of thinking and working. Software Integration gives teachers more ways to inspire and capture the imaginations of their pupils.
Summary and Synthesis
The three articles mainly focus on the Implications of Software Integration in the curriculum whether primary, secondary or the world at large. They all agree upon the basis that Software Integration in the curriculum deepens and enhances the learning outcomes. However, article one is centered around the design of software to support exploratory talk which is directed towards goals within the primary curriculum, while article two mainly focus on the comfort level of students using computer and specialty software to analyze business problems. The third article focus on integrating technology in classroom learning. Our major concern with this research is that it calls for greater support for teachers in learning to use the technology effectively in the classroom. It did not make mention of the type of software that will be used to improve students expertise. Additionally, we believe that the goals of the qualitative research were too vague.
Technologies Across Our Curriculum: A Study of Technology Integration in the Classroom.
Software Design to Support Discussion in the Curriculum
Why Integrate Technology into the Curriculum?
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