The escalation of social media and technology has changed
the way educators teach, how students learn, and the way teachers and students
communicate. With this digital era teachers are expected to alter their teacher
styles from the past and teach the 21
st century learner. No longer
are students confined to learning in the four walls of a classroom. Today
students are challenged to be good digital, community and global citizens, to
develop higher order thinking skills, to be complex problems solvers and to work
collaboratively. Technology assists students in acquiring these skills.
In this post we will discuss the use of technology in the classroom and how those skills are implemented using technology.
Please discuss tools you are currently using in your classroom, or tools you have
seen used in the classroom. Include the tool, subject and how the tool was
used.
I am currently in a 6th grade language arts classroom at Causey Middle School, and the teacher I am with makes great use of powerpoints. Instead of just having one boring slide after another, she incorporates great animations, backgrounds, and colors. That is only the cosmetic part of it. She almost always has videos, links to websites, and activities incorporated in them. Of course, all of this is displayed on the SMARTboard, so she usually gets students to come up and underline sentences, circle answers, etc. Because she varies the powerpoints, she causes the students to think as a group and also as individuals. Even though powerpoint has been around for a while, I think it is still a useful tool that can keep up with current technology.
ReplyDeletePhillip,
DeleteI think this is a great way to incorporate technology especially for the upper elementary students. It is great that the teacher does not just present a PowerPoint but rather includes interactive material so the students are able to participate. Thanks for the post!
I am in a Prekindergarten classroom where we use a Promethean Board. We use it for a variety of lessons but its greatest use is for morning group. During morning group we do calendar, weather, math, and letters. Often one child is chosen to write the numbers on the calendar. The teacher has previously circled the day in which to stop numbering. By doing this the student is able to tell us the date and the day. Other students are asked what yesterday was and what tomorrow will be. The weather board is used to demonstrate the current weather. The student will guide a picture of the weather over to the current day. Math is conducted through the taking of attendance. We count the amount of girls, boys, and then the total number of children. Lastly, each student is able to write the letter of the week on the board.
ReplyDeleteKathleen,
DeleteI have a Promethean board as well. The kindergarten teachers at my school use Starfall during calendar time. They have some cute things on there. Thanks for sharing.
I am a substitute teacher. The majority of the teachers that I substitute for use SMART boards, Ipads, and computers. The students love using Ipads. They prefer Ipads, but choose computers over traditional paper and pencil. I have seen a variety of great educational games.
ReplyDeleteI am going into Special Education. Students with varying degrees of disabilities enjoy technology, as well. Recently, I had an opportunity to observe an Elementary Special Education class. One of the students had very little mobility in the traditional sense. However, she was able to use an electric wheelchair and to play on the Ipad, to some degree. It brought the biggest smile to her face! Technology helps reach students with a wide range of abilities.
I am a Special Education teacher. I have a personal iPad I allow my students to use with close monitoring. I hope I can get one for my classroom soon. My students love using the iPad over pencil and paper as well. The iPad is a great tool for students to use and is very mobile. Your last sentence says it perfectly!
ReplyDelete