There are numerous ways to incorporate technology into the classroom: Web 2.0 Tools, Communication Tools, Smartboards, Smartphones, Tablets, and more. The goal and challenge for the classroom teacher is to come up with ways to use the technology effectively. So, how do you do that? Well, you could read what the U.S. Department of Education has to say on the matter (Enchancing Education Through Technology). However, it is always easier said than done. My recommendation is to be a sponge. Keep your ears and eyes open to new ideas and techniques from other teachers. Since technology improves everyday, teachers should be open to new ways of teaching daily. The more we educate ourselves the better we can teach for the future. It is very challenging teaching for a future that is unknown, but it it imperative that we, as educators, raise to the challenge.
When incorporating technology into a lesson plan, ask yourself these questions:
1. Is it student or teacher-centered?
2. Does it promote critical thinking?
3. Is it just presentation or does it enhance the content?
3. Does it inspire creativity?
4. Is it compatible with different learning styles and multiple intelligences?
5. Will it build on the students' prior knowledge?
References:
Rhonnieful. (2009). Teaching Tomorrow Today, Preparing for the Future. Available from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF2xT_PEL0M
U.S. Department of Education. (2011). Part D - Enhancing Education Through Technology. Available from http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg34.html
IPads are a very powerful tool. They allow you to do so many things from such a small device. We do need to get out of the mindset that Apple is the only company creating tablet like devices. There are some wonderful tablets other than iPads now. We have the Asus Transformer, Asus Prime, Samsung Galaxy Tab, and the Sony S just to name a few. I will say that Android tablets are still a little behind the curves when it comes to education, but they are starting to catch up and people are starting to take notice.
ReplyDeleteBut, right now Apple is the king when it comes to tablets and education and as you were saying there are all kinds of ways you can use these devices in a classroom. Here is a link to 70 different ways you can use an iPad in a classroom:
https://docs.google.com/present/view?id=dhn2vcv5_721gdk5jtd8
There are some really interesting ways to use an iPad such as practice letter formations, dragon dictation, and control your classroom computer. I believe one of the best ways to use an iPad in the class is for students who have disabilities:
"Accessibility to [students] with disabilities is possible to a surprising degree, given that accessibility once lagged behind when new technologies emerged," said Andrews. "Apps for children with cognitive disabilities have already been created by your fellow educators. There are built-in accessibility tools such as zoom and high contrast display. The built-in VoiceOver screen reader works as well on the iPad as on the iPhone, and Dragon Dictation is also available" (Harrison, 2010).
References
Harrison, D. (2010, October 13). Mobile computing | spotlight ushering iPad into the classroom. Retrieved from http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/10/13/ushering-ipad-into-the-classroom.aspx
I really agree with your statement, "My recommendation is to be a sponge. Keep your ears and eyes open to new ideas and techniques from other teachers." I think this is the most important thing. A lot of teachers just simply are not open to the ideas that are coming down the pike. We have an obligation to the students to stay on top of it and if it has educational value, to give it a shot. We aren't going to be invited to participate in every single technology conference, but if we are open to the information everyday could be an opportunity to learn something new.
ReplyDeleteI really like how you broke everything down into the essential questions that teachers need to ask themselves when creating a lesson using technology. It is easy to get lost in the fact that you are using technology period, but it needs to be more focused on what benefits the student will actually be getting out of that technology. For example, if a presentation has too many bells and whistles it could be distracting students from learning. There is so much we can do as teachers to make sure we don't get outdated (as it said in your video). On great idea is to have your class make a website for you course. Google sites has an easy to use template for teachers to use. (Dubois, 2011 ) That way students get involved in their class and you as the teacher can keep them updated on what they need to know.
ReplyDeleteDubois, M. (2011, March 24). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.powertolearn.com/articles/teaching_with_technology/article.shtml?ID=159
Teachers do need to examine the effectiveness of the technology they integrate into a lesson. The questions you offer are great. The brain is also stimulated by movement (Tate, 2010). It does nothing to sit our students down in front of a computer screen and hope they learn. That is no better than lecture and notes, or "chalk and talk".
ReplyDeleteTate, M. (2010). Worksheets don't grow dendrites. (2 ed.). Thousand Oaks, California: Corwin Press.