Kara Marvin

Seven Brilliant Things Teachers do with

Technology http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/columnists/johnson/johnson033.shtml

1. Empower kids with technology

• they use technology as a propellant for kids to go beyond what they can already do. 

2. Creatively find and use resources 

• find ways to get technology into their classroom without spending personal or district money

3. Make conferencing real time 

• effective parent communication all year long through emails and online posts 

4. Put kids in touch with the world

• show kids the possibilities of the world and give them experiences for empathizing with it

5. Accept the role of co-learner

• letting the students show them things about technology that they didn't previously know

6. Use the kids' own devices to teach them 

• have ways that students can use their technology in class for powerpoints, polls, or quizzes 

7. Delight in the discovery, the newness, and the fun technology holds 

• they use the engagement power of technology, not just the entertainment part

Grace Baker
Tweeting In The Classroom by Wayne Journell, Cheryl A. Ayers and Melissa walker Beeson

This article speaks of the advantages to using Twitter as an instructional tool connecting students to real time events with people both immediately connected to them and others outside of their classroom. The example discussed was the immediate reaction, interaction and feedback of Social Studies students watching presidential debates for the national election.  I agree that this can be an invaluable tool to help connect students to the real world, however the practice is not without risks as the article points out.  There must be rules for student use because there, most definitely, can be inappropriate and difficult topics and comments that can be tweeted.  I too feel that sometimes it can become a war with words -- so like any other tool, it must be embraced with care!

Source citation:
Journell, W., Ayers, C. A., & Walker Beeson, M. (2014). Tweeting in the classroom. Phi Delta Kappan, 95(5), 63.

Source link: Nebraska Access Database

http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,cookie,cpid&custid=nebstlib&db=f6h&AN=95098704&site=ehost-live

Technology as a Tool to Support Instruction by Lynne Schrum

         This article discussed the idea that many believe technology will make our students smarter.  However, it needs to be used appropriately as a tool in order to truly make positive influences in our classroom.  It starts by encouraging teachers to understand and believe that technology is incorporated in the classroom to help achieve academic goals and that’s why they should be integrated into curriculum, NOT because they were expensive and therefore important. 

Technology fosters exploration, and therefore, could be used to engage in project-based learning.  Mention of “technology-rich” classroom environments stated that the students should be active explorers by searching for and finding information, along with analyzing and recording their findings.  This takes work and guided practice to ensure success.  The students need guidelines on what it looks like to be engaged in their work so they are not running around, doing whatever they please and having no direction as to where they are going.  Technology is not to be learned by the students, but rather a tool for endless opportunities in authentic learning.

In order for teachers to effectively incorporate technology lessons in the classroom, it is crucial that the teachers are active and cooperative with other teachers to develop and share ideas that would work.  It cannot be done by a single teacher.  It also needs to be recognized that learning in a technology-rich classroom looks different than a traditional classroom setting.  Students are working on different things, at different steps of their projects, and there might be a lot of different things going on at once. 

http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech004.shtml