TEACHER PAGE
Intergrating Technology in the Classrooms
Welcome teachers and educators. In this section, you will find ideas for intergrating technology in the teaching and learning process.
DESIGNING AND PLANNING ENGAGING LESSONS WITH TECHNOLOGY:
"Students are setting trends with their use of technology both in and out of school. They are innovative users of technology adopting new technologies to support their learning and their lifestyles" (Web 2.0,2007, p. 27). In this new age world of technology, it states that students are the most likely to embrace new technology. Let us ask, "Where might these students be acquiring this knowledge for technology?" Our answer should be, "It all started in the classrooms." Today, more than ever, teachers are embracing new technologies to enhance the learning experience of their students, and that learning experience all starts with with a technology-rich lesson plan. New resources enable teachers to have more interactive lesson plans which stimulates an environment of creatvity, collaboration, and communication among the teacher and students.
PRESENTING CONCEPTS EFFECTIVELY WITH TECHNOLOGY:
"Outside of school, students are using the Web for homework as well as for fun, and to a great extent they customize what and how to learn" (Web 2.0,2007, p.33). According to the previous statement, students are enganging in something that is helping them to learn, and that something is customization. Because of the technology available, teachers and educators now have the power to customize lessons and customize concepts. If a concept is presented and the class has trouble understanding the lesson or topic, the teacher has the power to change or rearrange or throw out older learning strategies and recreate new ones due to the faster and easier technological resources. Teachers even have the ability to customize lessons for individual students because each student learns differently. Technology allows each student to learn differently at each of their own paces with the goal of having the entire class learn the same concept.
ASSESSING STUDENTS FOR LEARNING WITH TECHNOLOGY:
During my high school years, I was in the chorus class. When most people think of a chorus class, they usually do not think that the chorus class instrutor uses various amounts of technology. Well, I was fortunate to have a teacher like Mr. Bennet who did. Mr. Bennet was a traveling music teacher who had developed his own music education website to upload his current classrooms' projects and performances from where ever he taught next. My chorus is still featured on that website because he had us post weekly musical reflections and projects, and he also posted some of our performances. He takes his website with him to present his past classes to his new ones. Little did I know that I would be observing similar situations in classrooms that had first and second graders! Computers have bloomed into easy-to-understand technologies. For example, I observed a first grade teacher who asked her students to complete the lesson assigments, and they all went to the back of the classroom to use the in-class computers! The teacher, Mrs. Leigh, told me that all of her students were given instructions on how to submit assigments on the computer within the first and second weeks of school. That way, when the students are completing their assigments, she is right there if they need assisstance. More and more teachers are using these kinds of computer strategies to help the student broaden their computer skills even in younger grades. They realize that "If we consider the state standards for any particular subject area, it is easy for educators to plan interesting instruction around that standard, using a balanced approach that includes a variety of technological activities" (Web 2.0, 2007, p.168).
MANAGING CLASSROOM AND TECHNOLOGY USE EFFICIENTLY:
"Administrators worry about students circumventing even the best strategies and spending time inappropiately" (Web 2.0,2007, p.152). It is essential for teachers and educators to realize the importance of managing technology and computer use in the classroom. It is crucial for teachers to set ground rules for technology usage such as the allotted time a student uses the computer, setting consequences for venturing onto other un-class related sites, proper use of the Mimios or other projectors, and usage of the electronic whiteboards. Teachers need to monitor students when they are engaged in online assignments to make sure to stop any wandering mouse. Students should realize there is a time for personal computer use, but it should not be in the classroom.
FACILITATING ENGAGING LEARNING EXPEREINCES IN THE CLASSROOM WITH TECHNOLOGY:
During my observations, I witnessed a fourth grade teacher, named Mrs Lewis, who had recently acquired a Mimio and an interactive whiteboard for her classroom. She had only a short time to to learn how to use it, but she caught on quickly. The use of the new Mimio broadened the spectrum of the learning experience for the students because they were excited to use it, and that means they were excited to learn. "Students are strong believers in the power of technology to enrich their learning experiences" (Web 2.0,2007, p.27). Teachers can facilitate engaging learning experiences in the classroom with technology as long as the teacher or instructor know how to use the technology to their benefit. A teacher who is excited about and welcomes new technology in the classroom can be sure that his or her students will be excited as well. Also, if a new piece of technology is introduced, then that means that both the teacher and the students will learn side by side which is a collaboration that is never forgotten.
SUPPORTING LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM WITH TECHNOLOGY:
In today's world, teachers have numerous options available to them to support learning outside the classroom. Teachers can email students or keep in touch with classroom-websites. In many cases I have experienced, there is a contact list on the school's website with a direct email address to any of the staff members. Other outside sources include blogging which promotes "open dialogue and encourage community building in which both the bloggers and commenters exchange opinions, ideas, and attitudes" (Web 2.0,2007, p.55). Blogs are a great tool for easy communication. Also, many teachers are now setting up their own, personal education sites which can directly relate to what the students are learning in class. Some teachers use podcasts which are useful to students because they are able to catch up on a review or listen in on a class they missed. "Podcasting is another step in having information that is portable, accessible 24/7, and user-selected" (Web 2.0, 2007, p.57).
Another key element for students learning outside the classroom with technology is the option for online classes or online schooling. For example, students have full access to online classes grades K-12 through the Florida Virtual School, and, because it is public education, it is free! Students have the options to speak with teachers live in the computer, complete assignents all online with quick feeback, and have the same academic experience as other students in classrooms. With online schooling, students can easily customize their assignments by learning at their own pace, reviewing what they need to, but always having the support form the online educators.
Online learning outside the classroom benefits diverse groups of students including students with expectionalities, students excelling in certain subjects, students who are learning new languages, among many others. Each type of student can receive the same benefits such as learning at their own paces, studying areas they need help in the most, and being able to truly customize each lesson to benefit their learning styles.
SUPPORTING DIVERSE LEARNERS WITH TECHNOLOGY:
Technology opens doors for diverse learners like never before. Not only does technology help each student learn individually, but it can also bring them together. A blogging site that is especially made for students with learning disabilities would attract a large community or maybe many communities to collaborate and communicate with each other sharing ideas about what helps them in the classroom."Allowing ESOL students to create electronic porfolios on personal Web sites created a nonthreatening alternate evaluation solution to traditional standardized assessment" (Web,2007, p.160). A social networking site especially made for students for English Language Learners would bring them together to discuss what learning techniques works for them. Even students who are far apart in different towns, states, or countries can be brought together with the power of technology to help one another.
"Students are setting trends with their use of technology both in and out of school. They are innovative users of technology adopting new technologies to support their learning and their lifestyles" (Web 2.0,2007, p. 27). In this new age world of technology, it states that students are the most likely to embrace new technology. Let us ask, "Where might these students be acquiring this knowledge for technology?" Our answer should be, "It all started in the classrooms." Today, more than ever, teachers are embracing new technologies to enhance the learning experience of their students, and that learning experience all starts with with a technology-rich lesson plan. New resources enable teachers to have more interactive lesson plans which stimulates an environment of creatvity, collaboration, and communication among the teacher and students.
PRESENTING CONCEPTS EFFECTIVELY WITH TECHNOLOGY:
"Outside of school, students are using the Web for homework as well as for fun, and to a great extent they customize what and how to learn" (Web 2.0,2007, p.33). According to the previous statement, students are enganging in something that is helping them to learn, and that something is customization. Because of the technology available, teachers and educators now have the power to customize lessons and customize concepts. If a concept is presented and the class has trouble understanding the lesson or topic, the teacher has the power to change or rearrange or throw out older learning strategies and recreate new ones due to the faster and easier technological resources. Teachers even have the ability to customize lessons for individual students because each student learns differently. Technology allows each student to learn differently at each of their own paces with the goal of having the entire class learn the same concept.
ASSESSING STUDENTS FOR LEARNING WITH TECHNOLOGY:
During my high school years, I was in the chorus class. When most people think of a chorus class, they usually do not think that the chorus class instrutor uses various amounts of technology. Well, I was fortunate to have a teacher like Mr. Bennet who did. Mr. Bennet was a traveling music teacher who had developed his own music education website to upload his current classrooms' projects and performances from where ever he taught next. My chorus is still featured on that website because he had us post weekly musical reflections and projects, and he also posted some of our performances. He takes his website with him to present his past classes to his new ones. Little did I know that I would be observing similar situations in classrooms that had first and second graders! Computers have bloomed into easy-to-understand technologies. For example, I observed a first grade teacher who asked her students to complete the lesson assigments, and they all went to the back of the classroom to use the in-class computers! The teacher, Mrs. Leigh, told me that all of her students were given instructions on how to submit assigments on the computer within the first and second weeks of school. That way, when the students are completing their assigments, she is right there if they need assisstance. More and more teachers are using these kinds of computer strategies to help the student broaden their computer skills even in younger grades. They realize that "If we consider the state standards for any particular subject area, it is easy for educators to plan interesting instruction around that standard, using a balanced approach that includes a variety of technological activities" (Web 2.0, 2007, p.168).
MANAGING CLASSROOM AND TECHNOLOGY USE EFFICIENTLY:
"Administrators worry about students circumventing even the best strategies and spending time inappropiately" (Web 2.0,2007, p.152). It is essential for teachers and educators to realize the importance of managing technology and computer use in the classroom. It is crucial for teachers to set ground rules for technology usage such as the allotted time a student uses the computer, setting consequences for venturing onto other un-class related sites, proper use of the Mimios or other projectors, and usage of the electronic whiteboards. Teachers need to monitor students when they are engaged in online assignments to make sure to stop any wandering mouse. Students should realize there is a time for personal computer use, but it should not be in the classroom.
FACILITATING ENGAGING LEARNING EXPEREINCES IN THE CLASSROOM WITH TECHNOLOGY:
During my observations, I witnessed a fourth grade teacher, named Mrs Lewis, who had recently acquired a Mimio and an interactive whiteboard for her classroom. She had only a short time to to learn how to use it, but she caught on quickly. The use of the new Mimio broadened the spectrum of the learning experience for the students because they were excited to use it, and that means they were excited to learn. "Students are strong believers in the power of technology to enrich their learning experiences" (Web 2.0,2007, p.27). Teachers can facilitate engaging learning experiences in the classroom with technology as long as the teacher or instructor know how to use the technology to their benefit. A teacher who is excited about and welcomes new technology in the classroom can be sure that his or her students will be excited as well. Also, if a new piece of technology is introduced, then that means that both the teacher and the students will learn side by side which is a collaboration that is never forgotten.
SUPPORTING LEARNING OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM WITH TECHNOLOGY:
In today's world, teachers have numerous options available to them to support learning outside the classroom. Teachers can email students or keep in touch with classroom-websites. In many cases I have experienced, there is a contact list on the school's website with a direct email address to any of the staff members. Other outside sources include blogging which promotes "open dialogue and encourage community building in which both the bloggers and commenters exchange opinions, ideas, and attitudes" (Web 2.0,2007, p.55). Blogs are a great tool for easy communication. Also, many teachers are now setting up their own, personal education sites which can directly relate to what the students are learning in class. Some teachers use podcasts which are useful to students because they are able to catch up on a review or listen in on a class they missed. "Podcasting is another step in having information that is portable, accessible 24/7, and user-selected" (Web 2.0, 2007, p.57).
Another key element for students learning outside the classroom with technology is the option for online classes or online schooling. For example, students have full access to online classes grades K-12 through the Florida Virtual School, and, because it is public education, it is free! Students have the options to speak with teachers live in the computer, complete assignents all online with quick feeback, and have the same academic experience as other students in classrooms. With online schooling, students can easily customize their assignments by learning at their own pace, reviewing what they need to, but always having the support form the online educators.
Online learning outside the classroom benefits diverse groups of students including students with expectionalities, students excelling in certain subjects, students who are learning new languages, among many others. Each type of student can receive the same benefits such as learning at their own paces, studying areas they need help in the most, and being able to truly customize each lesson to benefit their learning styles.
SUPPORTING DIVERSE LEARNERS WITH TECHNOLOGY:
Technology opens doors for diverse learners like never before. Not only does technology help each student learn individually, but it can also bring them together. A blogging site that is especially made for students with learning disabilities would attract a large community or maybe many communities to collaborate and communicate with each other sharing ideas about what helps them in the classroom."Allowing ESOL students to create electronic porfolios on personal Web sites created a nonthreatening alternate evaluation solution to traditional standardized assessment" (Web,2007, p.160). A social networking site especially made for students for English Language Learners would bring them together to discuss what learning techniques works for them. Even students who are far apart in different towns, states, or countries can be brought together with the power of technology to help one another.