Getting to Know TIM
Technology Integration Matrix
Education has forever changed with the rise of the digital era. Education systems must meet the ever-growing demands of a technology-dominated world. With technology being ever so prevalent in schools, there is a critical need for one to assess best practices on how to integrate technology effectively into their lessons and classrooms. Technology integration is not simply a program or device that one uses inside a classroom, it is more about the HOW it is being utilized more so by the students to create a meaningful learning experience. It is about inquiry-based methods where students have the resources and abilities at their fingertips to collaborate, create, and publish their work to showcase their learning. With this in mind, it is highly beneficial for educational systems to utilize the Technology Integration Matrix (TIM) because this will serve as a model on which to base best practices and current evaluations.
What is TIM?
The Technology Integration Matrix or TIM is meant to serve as a guide for schools and educators on how to evaluate their current technology integration into classrooms, and how to make it an effective and meaningful experience. It was originally created in 2006 by the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Center for Instructional Technology (FCIT), which is based at the University of South Florida’s College of Education. The theoretical framework of the TIM is based in constructivist learning theory and research related to teacher practice. In contrast to other models for technology integration, the TIM is designed to evaluate a lesson, as opposed to rating a teacher or judging a discrete task (Florida Center for Instructional Technology, 2021). TIM is more about HOW technology is implemented as a tool to create authentic, meaningful learning experiences as opposed to simply focusing on the use of programs or devices.
Why is TIM important?
TIM is important because it serves as a highly effective resource for schools and educators to evaluate efficient technology integration. Many times administration and schools are more focused on purchasing new software and devices than on HOW these will actually be utilized to create meaningful learning experiences. It at times becomes more so an evaluation of usage of these devices and programs, than how are you using them and whether are they even being effective. It is vital for educational institutions to evaluate their current technology integration status in order to notice areas of improvement that are necessary for student success. There is, however, frequently a need for additional training and modeling for teachers on how to best use these technology tools in meaningful ways during daily instruction and for principals on how
to best evaluate this type of instruction and recommend professional development ( Welsh, J.; Harmes, C.; & Winkelman, R. (2011). TIM guides educational institutions on how to shift through the matrix of technology integration.
How can educators use TIM?
Educators can use TIM as a model to assess their current technology integration and guide them in setting up an instructional plan for successful lesson improvements. The matrix is broken down in a way that educators can easily utilize the TIM framework in a way for them to understand each dimension. The tool describes five interdependent characteristics of meaningful learning environments: active, constructive, goal-directed, authentic, and collaborative. It associates each characteristic with five levels of technology integration: entry, adoption, adaptation, infusion, and transformation. Together, the five levels of technology integration and the five characteristics of meaningful learning environments create a matrix of 25 cells (Welsh, J.; Harmes, C.; & Winkelman, R., 2011). When utilized efficiently, educators can become successful at shifting their instruction from teacher-centered to student-centered. Utilizing TIM, they can shift from beginning entry level where teachers are the main ones directing the use of technology to the ultimate goal of transformation, where the students are in control of their inquiry-based learning.
Suggested Technology Integration Resources:
Click on the links below:)
> Kahoot - an interactive gamification program that engages students to have fun learning while playing by topic/ lesson games
> Quizizz- similar to Kahoot as an interactive gamification program but more as a game quiz format as it provides the student and teachers with actual quiz grades. Quizzes can be premade or teacher created
> Screencastify- a recording program where teachers and students can create lessons and presentations while recording their computer screen and themselves on webcam, it also creates links and QR codes to access recordings
> Google Classroom- an interactive online classroom that fosters collaboration between teachers, students, and peers. It serves as an online platform for creating on organized way to send and receive lessons, assignemtns, projects, and resources.
> Kami- a program that turns any pdf or document into an interactive page where students and teachers can write, type, create, and record on them
> Jamboard- an interactive live online board or slides that allows teachers and students to actively collaborate on the same network to create projects or show learning simultaneously
> Whiteboard.fi- an interactive online white board that allows students and teachers to work together in an online environment to create learning experiences
> SeeSaw- an online community of learning where teachers and students can showcase and interact. Allows students to create and synthesize their learning in a multimodal way offering various means for creation
References
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