Version]. Houghton Mifflin; Boston: MA
AUTHOR CREDENTIALS
Mark and Cindy Grabe
Educational Learning Disabilities 1974
Psychology 1975
The Grabes together are recipients of the 'The Alumni Achievement Award' from Iowa State University, College of Human Services. Mark Grabe is a professor and wife Cindy Grabe is a teacher practitioner. The pair are authors of three books; Integrating Technology for Meaningful Learning has been adopted by 89 colleges and universities and is noted as one of the most influential textbooks on the integration of technology in the classroom and teaching.
Mark Grabe retired from the University of North Dakota in 2014 and is transfixed in various research projects such as, K-12 Student Multimedia authoring, Cyberbullying in K-12, Mastery learning & student performance in individual progress educational systems, to name a few.
Cindy Grabe is a notable Technology Education Specialist, who has retired after 36 years in education. Her educational experience originated in the Grand Forks School District and in the Office of Teacher Education at the University of North Dakota. In 1999 Cindy Grabe began as an Instructor in Teaching and Learning.
Integrating Technology for Meaningful Learning
This book highlights the continuity of technology and the need to effectively implement into the learning environment. Highlighting educational reform, standards, and goals to provide background into the improvements in education and progressive nature to plans such as the National Educational Technology Plan. Chapter stresses the original National Standards/Goal have yet be manifested in the classrooms but there is still major opportunities to forge forward. Chapter one is a huge discussion on how teachers are the critical variable in providing experiences to build 21st Century skills so as to be a productive member in a ever growing Global society. Grabe and Grabe (2016) indicate, "Recent research...suggest [that] your personal skills in using technology and your beliefs concerning the educational value, variables that are themselves correlated, are significant predictors of what your students will experience." Chapter focuses on key ideas of student learning and the critical-thinking process needed to produce more efficient learning. Grabe and Grabes clear beliefs of learning are detailed in this chapter. Discussing the levels of learning described as detailed level and conceptual level; the first revolves around information storage, processeses and regulation mechanism which defines the cognitive system and the latter defines general functions contributing to a student's learning. Lastly, embedded in chapter is the discussion of the theory to practice a teacher must incorporate into pedagogy; better defining teaching, learning, and the role of technology.
The strengths of this book is it does not inudate the reader with research study, an over abundance of technological verbige, or non-relevant applications of technology in the classroom. It does provide practical teaching modeling and behaviors quite useful in the classroom. For example, presently in most math classrooms students are struggling with the comprehension word problems due to the lack of reading comprehension skills. Grabe and Grabe offers approaches to teach cognitive behaviors such as reciprocal teaching. Such behaviors teach students and teacher how to better engage with content using technology and understanding of primary sources versus secondary sources. "Technology offers opportunities for students to learn by externalizing their understanding in some tangible way...with the intent of informing others (teaching)," (Grabe et al, 2016). The weakness of this book is that is very extensive in providing lots of background information one might not find necessary in simply learning how to effectively integrate technology in the classroom. Although it has great topics if looking for a quick fix, reason, or real-worl application it provides more rationale than one would find necessary. It is also a gradual lead into how technology can be implemented and may divert readers from finding the great aspects of the book. Such as chapters like, Learning with Sound and Graphic Tools or Teacher's role in the Design Process. Each with their unique and useful information to foster the use of technology in the classroom, teach students to become more knowledgeable with technology, and as a teacher become more confident and comfortable using technology with the appropriate manner.
I would give this book a 2 thumbs up. It is informative, useful for anyone who is not a techy, and provides applications that relate to teaching behaviors, student learning, and growth.
References
Mark Grabe, (n.d.). About Me. Retrieved from http://learningaloud.com/blog/aboutme/ Mark and Cindy Grabe. Iowa State University College of Human Services. Retrieved http://www.hs.iastate.edu/alumni/awards/2005-chs-alumni-awards/cindy-and-mark-grabe/
Grabe, C. & M., (2016). Integrating Technology for Meaningful Learning [Kindle
Version]. Houghton Mifflin; Boston: MA
