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The theories of implementing informative technology into a K-12 curriculum are quite varied. With teacher and administrative creativity, a technology curriculum can be adapted for most of the over 50 learning theories. However, the most frequently mentioned theories that apply to technology curriculum include Piaget's Genetic Epistomology, Vygotsky's Social Development, Dewey's Progressivism, Gardner's Multiple Intelligences, and Bruner's Constructivism Theory.
Since technology is usualy considered a tool, it must be closely connected to the curriculum to improve student learning. Early uses of computers in the schools provided drill and practice for students, and were based on instructional model behaviorists like B. F. Skinner. More current theories, like student-centered and constructivist, suggest that technology allows the learners to control more of their own learning. Through technology's ability to access, store, manipulate, and analyze information, learners will spend more time internalizig information. As technology increases in the curriculum, the role of the teacher is also changing from being the main source of information for students to being a facilitator for self-learning.
Brief, general references of learning theories:
50 Learning Theories
12 different theories on how people learn
Piaget's theory:
Cognitive development
Genetic Epistemology
Vygotsky's theory:
Social Cognition
Basics of
Vygotsky
Dewey's theory:
Progressive Education
Gardner's theory:
Multiple intelligence
Bruner's theory:
Many types of consturctivism
Links for building a basic understanding
of constructivism
Skinner's theory:
Behaviorism/feedback
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