Technology Tools in the Classroom - Online Article

Article Title: The Most Powerful Tool in the Classroom

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sarah-wike-loyola/the-most-powerful-tool-in_b_6012136.html

It is clear that technology is becoming a more prevalent tool in the classroom. I know the district that I teach in is a 1-to-1 District where students grades 7-12 receive a laptop, and students 3-6 receive their own IPad. This push towards technology is something that will continue to become more popular as teachers find more ways to incorporate technology in their classrooms. The article that I read mentioned how in the past, teachers have always been the most powerful figures in the room and how students looked to them for answers to their every question. This is a trend that has definitely changed due to the infusion of technology. Students now have the ability to use their laptops to "Google" everything and find the answer to a question in seconds. The fact that we have so much information at our fingertips is truly amazing and allows all of us to be lifelong learners. 

I agree that our classrooms are changing before our eyes. In this day and age, students do not want to be lectured and take notes day-after-day. In my opinion, rote memorization does not lead to meaningful learning. The article mentions how the role of educators is evolving, we are now seen as coaches and facilitators, there to assist our students when they need help. However, no piece of technology will ever completely replace the importance of a teacher. As an educator it is my responsibility to keep my students on task, guide them to the intended end-result, and provide information/advice that they may not be able to find online. Teachers are the instrument to student success. 

Technology Article- Stacy Vancura

The article I read was called " Why Integrate Technology into the Classroom." Found here: http://www.edutopia.org/technology-integration-introduction

As I read the article, which is published in 2008, I was thinking about how common it is to find technology in classrooms now. At my current school, I am lucky enough to be part of a technology pilot. I think technology has greatly increased students learning experiences, just like stated in the article. I am a kindergarten teacher, and having access to six iPads at all times, six laptops and apple tv, the possibilities have truly been endless in the direction I can take my lessons. Even for the younger students, technology helps students get excited about their learning, as well as helps them gain confidence in their skills all while thinking they are simply playing a "game".
      The article also mentions briefly how technology allows students to differentiate student learning. I find this to be true, as I am allowed to assign certain skills to our reading curriculum website, where I feel students need the most improvement. I really enjoy using technology in my classroom, and I know the older grades are loving it to, especially since they all have their own device to work with.

Technology in the Classroom

This article that I read speaks about having more technology in the classroom. I am thankful to read this article as a teacher, as in college I was used to reading them and reflecting as a future teacher. Our school has a one to one environment but the 7th and 8th graders computers aren't in the best shape(and of course thats what I teach). I have found that using the technology can really help the students, but if the technology isn't working well it takes a lot away from class time. I like what this article has to say about "BOYD" or Bring your own Device. The article pointed out a few downfalls of this system; cheating or being off task, which I agree with. I have allowed students to use their own device to help them, but I haven't required it because not 100% of students will have their own device to bring. The article also comments on using Interactive Whiteboards such as smartboards. I have a smartboard in my room and I do not use it as much as I should :(. When I do use it I have noticed increased motivation and participation. The article states that the use of whiteboards like these should only be used if the teacher has full confidence in using the whiteboard and its features. In my class we have started to use more personal whiteboards to allow students to show their active participation to the teacher. This article states an interesting point under the section about laptops and ipads by saying that technology in the students hands allow the students to be exploring as they are learning. This puts teachers in more of a position to guide the students through the context rather than deliver it to the students in a traditional manner. In summary the article states that the instruction of the material should be matched by enough technology to enhance the learning of the students. I agree with the article because I think all students learn in different ways, and if students learn best using a technology resource, then they should be able to use that as much as needed.
 Technology in the Classroom

The Most Powerful Tool in the Classroom

The Most Powerful Tool in the Classroom - Huffington Post

For thousands of years the human race has relied on two sources for information in the classroom.  One was the teacher and the other was the textbook.  Times have changed.  The Internet is now the most powerful tool in the classroom.  The role of the teacher is not going away, it is simply changing.  Teachers no longer need to be lecturing students but instead helping to guide them through it.  Students are able to learn with the Internet but they still need our guidance as mentors, facilitators, and coaches.

When students can learn things at the point of a button or tap, they do not want to be lectured to.  "Siri can often give a more comprehensive answer than many of us on any given topic." This statement is incredibly accurate and helps to show the amazing power of these social media/selfie/communication devices we hold in our hands.  So, how we teach needs to change.  It is no longer sensible to make students memorize rote facts and regurgitate what we teach them.  We now have the opportunity to have these students think critically, solve problems, and use their creativity in ways they have never been able to do before.

5 Ways to Use Technology in the Special Education Classroom

Educational Technology-October 2, 2012
http://education.cu-portland.edu/blog/tech-ed/5-ways-to-use-technology-in-the-special-education-classroom/

The author of this article discussed five of the many ways in which special educators could bring technology to their students with special needs in order to provide a 21st century classroom experience.

The first idea is to utilize the features found on the classroom computer's operating systems. My iMac houses these features in the Accessibility section in the System Preferences tab. At school, I use the slow keys function in which my students have to touch the keys each time they want to type a letter. This helps to eliminate the pretty rows of one letter that my students like to create when we type. There are other features found within the section that allow adaptations for many types of disabilities.

The second idea is Braille Displays. This function is able to read text that is sent to a machine that activates pins. Other versions read text either line by line or the entire documents depending upon their cost. There are versions that work with smartphones and tablets.

The third idea is Word Prediction Software, which works great for students with severe disabilities because they are able to create written documents without worrying about the spelling of their choice of words but creates laziness with students like mine.

The fourth idea is the use of tablets in the classroom, and the fifth is apps. I believe that these ideas go hand-in-hand. I can also speak from personal experience that my classroom iPads have been a lifesaver on many fronts. My students enjoy working for extra time, which is spent on apps used to improve sight word knowledge, hand-eye coordination, and math drill skills just to name a few. I also keep visual timers and clam down devices on the iPad, which the students respond to much better than the egg timers I use at times. Since many students with special needs are visual learners, tablets and apps are used to engage the students in activities that would seem difficult before.

Overall, technology in special education classrooms have allowed these students to expand their knowledge and demonstrate mastery in ways that teachers only imagined ten years ago. I have seen real gains with my own students since integrating technology into my daily lessons.

Impact of Technology in Elementary Classrooms

http://edtechreview.in/trends-insights/trends/658-impact-of-technology-in-elementary-classrooms

About the Author

Author: Santosh Bhaskar KWebsite: http://www.twitter.com/SantoshBhaskarK

Devotee of Dr. Abdul Kalam. Following his path of Creating Creative Education in India. Contributing my works in "India Vision 2020". Former EdTech Blogger/Researcher at ETR India

Mr. Santosh Bhaskar begins his article with the following: "Elementary Education should focus on learning through playing and exploration in order to improve a child's cognitive, emotional, physical, sensory, reflective, communication and social developments. Traditional classroom methods may not always provide children with a fun learning environment.  But nowadays, technology helps educators engage students with many fun learning approaches."   I agree with Mr. Bhaskar's view wholeheartedly.  When I think of "traditional classroom methods", I visualize a lot of teacher lecture, a lot of teacher doing, a lot of kids watching, and a lot of worksheets and paper/pencil type work - not necessarily engaging or fun.  I have been teaching for six years now and have seen first hand how rapidly technology has changed within that short time frame.  I recognize the impact that technology has had on teaching practices such as having an online version of our new reading curriculum, having access to projectors and smartboards, having laptops, netbooks, i-pads, kindles and most recently chrome books, and how this technology has indeed, increased student engagement.  

Mr. Bhaskar states that "Educators find the use of technological devices in education, a great way to engage students because it attracts them.  Mobile devices and computers provide students with a fun learning environment.  As we know, different students have different learning styles, technology helps them learn in the way they're comfortable with." As I reflect on this part of the article, I do agree that the use of technology engages students.  I believe that the addition of technology can bring a lesson, concept, or topic to life, thus creating excitement and sparking student engagement.  Technology can also aid the teacher and students by allowing for more opportunities for differentiation, interventions and enrichment.  I do still believe however, that students need and should have a balance between technology/virtual hands-on learning and truly physical hands-on learning .  I hope it never comes to the point where the personal human interaction of teaching by teachers and/or parents be completely replaced with technology.  

The article also mentions that "There are some people who oppose technology in the classroom as it reduces physical activity."  Again, I think there needs to be a good balance of technology based learning as well as other types of learning happening in classrooms.  In my opinion, people fear that our children are on technology/electronics overload, overly stimulated, expect instant gratification, and rely on technology to get their answers instead of building concrete knowledge and understanding. That is why I believe there needs to be a balance.  Technology should be used and it must be taught - like it or not, it is the current trend and the way of the world in present and future times.  In conclusion, educational technology does positively impact student engagement.  Used correctly and in moderation, teachers, students, and parents should continue to embrace technology as an excellent learning and teaching tool.              

Effects of Technology in the Classroom

Effects of Technology in the Classroom

     This is a great article about the different effects technology has in the classroom. I really 
 like the main points the article hits about increased motivation and having students working collaboratively in the classroom. It shows how you can easily do some of these things with little or no work to yourself as a teacher. I also like the areas where they talk about the increased self esteem, I can see how teaching students these skills and helping them to feel confident and independent can help with their self esteem in and out of the classroom.  Also depended on your population and students access to computers you could have students doing assignments at home and still working together in groups. I once had a cooperating teacher who used to make a powerpoint with himself recorded and pre-teach the math lesson they were going to learn the next day. So the students assignment was to listen to the lesson so that they were prepared the next day, if they did not have a computer at home they came into the room early (right after breakfast) and previewed it. This concept worked very well and could not have been used without technology!