The Integration of Technology in the Curriculum

Abstract

This article describes a 3-year research project to develop an applications model to successfully integrate technology in the instruction of elementary school learners with mild and moderate handicaps. The model is based on decision theory and focuses specifically on the decisions of in-school agents (i.e., students, regular classroom teachers, instructional support personnel, and administrators). Decisions of these agents are considered with respect to four decision areas ( i.e., identification of content, instructional methods and arrangements, organization of instruction, and outcome assessment). Twenty research questions have been identified and clustered into five elements that represent the beginnings of an applications model. These five elements are: (1) software reference to the curriculum and IEP objectives, (2) integrated instructional activities, (3) collaborative planning, (4) student self-management, and (5) teacher training and support. Finally, this article provides a framework for understanding future project efforts as well as an orientation to the theoretical underpinnings of the research plan.