Integrating Technology in the Classroom
o Designing and planning engaging lessons with technology
While each class is different with variations in grade level and ability the variety of online reasources available for lesson planning is just as wide. Some of us may be fortunate enough to have a classroom equped with all the bells and wistles. In which case some way you can intergrate technology into your lessons would be to:
- Download lesson plans (such as HotChalk), quizzes, and games
- Download clip art for a bulletin board
- Create a class website (such as this one)
- Create or find online a Web Quest (there are MILLIONS of these things. Here is just one site!)
- Perform Online assessment
- Do Tutorials
- Have students take pictures with a digital camera
Read more: http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/In-The-Classroom--How-To-Overcome-Technology-Integration-Barriers/1225379#ixzz17MBBmxPH
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WEB 2.0 on the Topic...
If one subscribes to a philosophy of constructivist learning and a belief that creating online communities helps students learn, one needs the tools to support the activities.(p.66)
Works Cited Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools. (ISTE, Ed.) Eugene, OR, USA: International Society for Technology in Education.
o Presenting concepts effectively with technology One of the easiest ways to encorperate technology into a lesson is by presenting the lesson using Microsoft PowerPoint. One of the greatest advantages of using PowerPoint for lessons is that you can edit them and use them over and over again, each time you teach those lessons.The program itself is easy to navigate and has endless possibilities for use. For instance:
- The main points can be emphasized.
- Use graphics, animation, or sound to capture students attention.
- Make slide and bullet transitions a little more exciting with animated effects.
- Make lessons more organized and flexible.
- Text on a PowerPoint presentation are very easy for students to read. ( Compared to an overhead projector or chalkboard.)
And remember have to fun and get creative!!
WEB 2.0 on the Topic...
Rather than providing didactic instruction and expecting students to repeat facts on a test, teachers encourage students to think about what they already know on a topic, search for new information, and collaborate with others to solve realistic problems and derive new understanding. (p.38) Using web tools helps the process along. Students are able to do more research.(p.39)
Works Cited Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools. (ISTE, Ed.) Eugene, OR, USA: International Society for Technology in Education.
o Assessing students for learning with technology One of the greatest classroom assessment techniques comes from the combination of providing the evaluation of on-going learning for us, the teachers, and at the same time, this allows almost instant feedback for the student. Using the computer to perform assessment allows for various types of assessment, ranging from essay form, to multiple choice to project/research based. Some of the qualities of using technology to assess students are:
- Improves teachers understanding of student needs and their grasp of current material
- Are immediately usable and available 24/7 365.
- Do not take up much class time. No papers to hand out or collect.
- Are very easy to administer
- Are easy to analyze. Grading is instant!
... we have seen an equally vigorous effort toward authentic assessment. This type of assessment involves engaging and worthy problems or questions of importance, in which students must use knowledge to fashion performances effectively and creatively. The tasks are either replicas of or analogous to the kinds of problems faced by adult citizens and consumers or professionals in the field. (p.168)
Works Cited Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools. (ISTE, Ed.) Eugene, OR, USA: International Society for Technology in Education
.o Managing classroom and technology use effectively Technology allows our students to learn through exploring the internet and doing research. Just the act of looking up information and researching papers with such an extensive resource such as the internet can keep students engaged in a project and learning far longer than they ever would with a set of encyclopedias. Granted, some students will go beyond the limits you have set for the project and get themselves distracted by other activities that they find on the internet. If the student is in the classroom then you have the help of the filters set by the server to prevent them to straying too far. Over all, as a matter of opinion, the benifits out weigh the potential faults.
WEB 2.0 on the Topic...
Because there are so many new issues that confront students on the web and new concerns for educators, adopting a code of ethics to supplement acceptable use policies may make sense. (p.146)
Works Cited Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools. (ISTE, Ed.) Eugene, OR, USA: International Society for Technology in Education.
o Facilitating engaging learning experiences in the classroom with technology By incorporating technology into our lessons, we have a better chance of keeping our students engaged in and excited about the subject at hand. Lets face it, some lessons are dull and tedious for many of our students. We can reduce the number of blank stares from our students by creating lessons that are much more engaging with virtual field trips, streaming video, graphics and animations. How about assessing them using a WebQuest project? Let them colaberate! WEB 2.0 on the Topic...
The evolution of technology integration in the classroom environment has brought about changes in the structures of teaching and learning. With adequate numbers of computers in the classroom, teachers report that they are integrating its use in every curriculum area at every grade level. (p.80)
Works Cited Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools. (ISTE, Ed.) Eugene, OR, USA: International Society for Technology in Education.
o Supporting learning outside the classroom with technology"Blogs", "Wiki's" and "WebQuests" Oh my!! It's our new lingo folks. My advice, get to know it and utilize it. You won't regret it. These tools provided us an oppertunity like never before to have our students confront and collaberate on complex and controversial real-world issues, they utilize real world, up-to-date resources on the Web. Students are exposed to an exceptionally huge range of information, examples, and opinions. Aside from Weebly.com, I have listed several other sites in the Resources section that can help even a novice move Blogs and WebQuests into their classrooms!WEB 2.0 on the Topic...
Project based learning is a constructivist approach that encourages learning in depth by allowing students to use inquiry-based methods to engage with issues and questions that are rich, real, and relevant to their lives. It emphasizes learning activities that are long-term, interdisciplinary, and student centered. (p.39)
Works Cited Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools. (ISTE, Ed.) Eugene, OR, USA: International Society for Technology in Education.
o Supporting diverse learners with technology With the help of technology, each student with his or her own needs and learning style is able to go at his or her own pace. This allows the teacher to modify what instructional method the students gets, ie:more visual, more auditory. Special needs students who are handicapped in some way may also make use of assistive technology, which can allow them to communicate better in the classroom. WEB 2.0 on the Topic...
Students with learning challenges are now able to have access to podcasts, learning materials, and videos, and at times that suit their individual schedules. Additionally, the multimodality of these tools allows students to learn in ways that best meet their learning styles. (p.163)
Works Cited Solomon, G., & Schrum, L. (2007). web 2.0: New Tools, New Schools. (ISTE, Ed.) Eugene, OR, USA: International Society for Technology in Education.