Implementing STL in the Elementary Classroom

Wright, R. (2001). Implementing STL in the Elementary Classroom. Technology and Children, 6, 16-18.

Robin Wright is a fifth grade teacher, and proponent of integrating technology in the classroom. He describes technology as “the cool stuff” that keeps his students wanting to come to class. He writes that when planning for the year he always incorporates the Standards for Technological Literacy: Content for the Study of Technology (STL) (ITEA, 2000). He describes that it is set up to easily link with math, science and art objectives and is very beneficial in lesson planning. Wright attempts to incorporate projects and authentic learning tasks as much as possible. For example, he writes that fifth grade students must be able to calculate the perimeter of a geometric shape, but he takes it one step further by having students build a house. They designed an idea on graph paper, then worked with a computer program to turn it into a 3D blueprint, then built the house and even wired it with a front porch light.

I loved the author’s enthusiasm for incorporating technology in the classroom. While his students are doing something “cool” they were also getting real world experience, meeting math objectives, and approaching technology standards. The author also addresses how he manages meeting all his districts requirements as well as doing something extra by incorporating technology. His answer is that he doesn’t believe that he is doing something extra, he merely believes he is organizing lessons that will provide his students with the most learning opportunity possible by keeping them engaged, which should be every teacher’s number one priority. I agree and plan on incorporating authentic learning tasks as well as technology as much as I can when I get my own classroom.