8 Engaging Ways to use Technology in the Classroom to Create Lessons That Aren’t Boring

This article by Kelly Walsh lists eight different ways you can use technology to create engaging lessons for students in schools.

Her first way was to gather student input on different assignments. Her second way was to make it into more of a game, her third way was for students to create things, her fourth way was being interactive with it like using online whiteboards, her fifth was having students collaborate more, her sixth was project based learning, her seventh was simulations, and her eighth was live guest speakers via Skype.

I really liked this article. I found some of her ideas quite intriguing. For instance, I like the idea of setting up a Skype with someone from the outside world that would have great information on a subject. Another way I liked was her idea about simulations. Those seemed like cool ideas that I would want to potentially look into. Finally, I like the student feedback. I think it is always important for you to stay up to date on practices, and students can tell you if they are engaged or not.

http://www.emergingedtech.com/2014/10/technology-create-lessons-that-arent-boring/

Advantages of Using Technology in the Classroom

"This increasing focus on technology use in schools and the shifts in ways that modern-day learners communicate have impacted how computers are used in the classroom." This article talks about students coming into school more knowledgeable and capable with technology; this stat just keeps getting bigger. To deal with this statistic, technology is being added to STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields. We have to add more technology into our core curriculum to prepare our students for the 21st century and where it is heading with technology. "For example, modern-day education is not focused on simply learning concepts or facts as they are laid out in a curriculum. Instead, it is about the process of building connections." As teachers, it is important to make sure the students are receiving our messages, and we have to pique their interests to do it. This not only puts the student in the driver's seat, but it also shows them the importance of correct information and building relationships. Using technology in the classroom allows us, as teachers, to teach the way the student learns. This article definitely gave a lot of benefits of using technology in the classroom which fits right into what this class has been showing us.




Source: Boundless. “Advantages of Using Technology in the Classroom.” Boundless Education. Boundless, 21 Jul. 2015. Retrieved 28 Mar. 2016 from https://www.boundless.com/education/textbooks/boundless-education-textbook/technology-in-the-classroom-6/edtech-25/advantages-of-using-technology-in-the-classroom-77-13007/

Tech Solutions for Special Kids - Article Title

This article talks about what types of technology is incorporated into the special education classroom.  Many special education classrooms use assistive  technology in their classrooms to help special needs students keep up and be able to participate in classroom lessons and activities.  Some examples of assistive technology used in the classroom are: Dragon Naturally Speaking software for students to command and dictate verbally, adapted keyboards which are voice recorders that connect with the computer to allows students to respond verbally to test questions and put answers into the computer, screen magnifiers for students with visual impairments, Kurzweil software which reads printed material to students, reading pens used to scan words or sentences which then is read aloud and it can also provide definitions, recording devices for students to listen to information and also record info which can be replayed again and again, text information put on CDs for students to read or view particular information anytime they need to, Squeak software programs helping students to work in a programming way in small groups or individually, Alpha Smarts for writing, laptops, oversized keyboards, larger monitors, Flipper Port for maximum visibility, scanners with text-to-speech software like E-text Reader, Intellitools, Boardmaker, Earobics for audio word recognition, phonics,and pics, different stations and television productions, internet sites, and iPads. The best way this article states to use assistive technology is when it is appropriate for the student and it does not pose a distraction for them.  Also, when a student refuses to use the technology, then it is not recommended for use with that student.  The educators in this article are more than 50 individuals who are part of the Education World Tech Team.  They are educational professionals who volunteer their time to contribute information about different technology devices that have used based on their experience and expertise.  I would like to continue to look for articles from these authors so I can keep up with the latest and greatest assistive technology for best helping students in special education.  The article is from:  http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech224.shtml.

5 Tech Trends that Could Supercharge Education in 2016

http://www.edtechmagazine.com/higher/article/2015/12/5-tech-trends-could-supercharge-education-2016


The article begins by talking about how virtual reality technology will become more available for classroom learning. The article mentioned that virtual reality would aid in the students learning "experientially" rather than by traditional methods. I know this would help the students understand certain concepts in science that are otherwise complex and difficult to imagine without some type of experience. The article then talks about 3-D printing and how technology for this is becoming more affordable. This type of technology wouldn't just replicate an established model, it would allow students to create an idea and see it come to fruition. That is amazing. Companies are investing in how technologies interact because most people have a variety of devices around them. Wearable technology is projected to be utilized in various ways in and out of the classroom. It may help with effective communication between teacher and student, as well as between teachers for collaboration. The article then goes on to talk about artificial intelligence robots that will become available for classroom use. The AI robots are known to engage special education students that would normally be withdrawn in the classroom. The author suggests putting the technology in the students' hands and see what they can create. Celebrate failures and analyze successes -  using technology to learn by doing and exploring. 

Jeffrey Starman

https://docs.google.com/a/doane.edu/file/d/0B5AOHQcS-cAeODhkOGQwNmMtNDRiNC00ZjA2LTkwM2YtNDY4MGEwOWEyZWNj/edit?hl=en_US

Edmonton Public Schools Builds Collaborative Learning Community with Google Apps for Education

This article talked about school district, Edmonton Public Schools, that adopted google apps for education. There were a few problems that the district was experiencing that led them to the decision to adopt. First, there were only 30 computers per 400 students! Almost all of there students had internet access at home, but they had not collaboration program to utilize this outside internet access. For teachers, they wanted to see more progress in group projects. With google apps, teachers would be able to see who is doing most of the group work, and they would be able to give better feedback.        There were many problems to the technology they were currently using at Edmonton Public Schools. The solution that they came up with was to adopt Google Apps for Education. One huge advantage of the google apps is that they are free to use! Not only are the apps free, but they are also very easy to use. The school ran a pilot trial, and they got lots of great feedback that solidified their adopting of the program.
        Adopting this program has a great impact on education. First, collaboration from student to student and student to teacher became much easier! This allowed for a lot of feedback and formative assessment. One quote from the article stated that Google Apps "improved the way students learn and teachers teach." The school even began to see and increase in the homework completion among students. This was probably, in part, due to the increased interest that was being seen among the students. It did not just affect the students. There was high enthusiasm among both students and teachers after adopting the technology program.
  My school is uses Google Apps for Education. I like to think that I use them the way I should, but I still have a lot of work and research to do in order to utilize this program in the way it should be used. If done right, Google Apps can increase the effectiveness of my teaching!

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Assignment 7 - Blessen

https://wlteacher.wordpress.com/category/technology/


This short article discusses the SAMR model of technology use within the classroom.  Rather than list useful websites, it gave a short description of the SAMR model and why it is important.  First, it is a great way assessing at what level the technology you are using in the classroom sits and whether or not it is beneficial for students.

A quick summary of the SAMR model, created by Dr. Ruben Puentedura, is that it breaks down technology use into four levels: Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, and Redefinition.  The SAMR model allows us to see if we are merely "enhancing" the assignment or project or "transforming" it.  Are students basically doing the same tasks, just on a computer?  Or are they creating, evaluating, and accomplishing new goals with the curriculum?

I think it is important for any teacher to consider and reflect upon these questions when incorporating technology in their classroom because it can be easy to feel as though we're using technology efficiently when maybe we're simply using it often.  For example, while my students use their computers often in my Spanish classroom, sometimes they are simply doing rote exercises that could be done with paper and pencil.  I have to remind myself that while the activity may be enhanced by allowing quicker repetition or immediate feedback, my students aren't really creating anything or pushing the boundaries of what they can do.  There are so many opportunities in a foreign language classroom for students to "redefine" what a project looks like with our curriculum, and I need to be mindful of that and open to new ideas.  My students are creative and imaginative, and I should let them show it.

Article Reflection -- More High Schools Implement iPad Programs

Article Link: 

http://phys.org/print362392686.html

Reflection: 

This article discusses the effectiveness of digital learning and the fact that laptops, tablets, software, and apps are the paper and ink for the 21st century learner.  Kids love technology and it offers some huge benefits in the classroom -- tech literacy, improved engagement, access to real-world connections, hands-on learning, distance learning, etc.

The article also talked about has schools have struggled with tech roll-outs because not enough thought was put in to the logistics of it.  Schools have train teachers and think about how to support the issues the come with technology.

In addition, the article mentioned that 1:1 technology increased student success in schools; especially for students who had an economic disadvantage.

My school district is in the process going 1:1.  They are taking the process slow and working to train staff on what it is going to be like.  Also, the district is testing out various devices (laptops & tablets) to see what would be best for students.

For me, as a physical education teacher, 1:1 looks a bit different.  I see some big advantages, but it might be difficult to find uses for a device for a p.e. course where kids are doing physical activity in the gym, on the field, etc.