Integrating Technology
1. Designing and planning engaging lessons with technology
Using technology can be a very effective tool in the classroom, but making sure that this technology is engaging students can be a difficult action. Students in the 21st century are keener to technological things. It makes sense to try and blend the school setting with an aspect that students are most comfortable with. Using WebQuests, PowerPoint, and online Websites can help a student become engaged in the lesson. The students in this generation are constantly changing; therefore teachers need to be aware of the different types of changes. Technology is one of these changes. To students “technology is second nature” they can “accept and use it without question” therefore it is important that their teachers are actively using technology (Web 2.0, 2007, p. 17).
2. Presenting concepts effectively with technology
Students can learn effectively through the use of technology. Their brains are already programed into multiple aspects of technology. Using
different tools to teach can help students become actively engaged in a lesson and subject. Making sure the students are not bored, is a top priority. If a student is engaged in the lesson their outcome for learning the material is higher. The difficult task of using technology effectively is finding different “ways to support in-depth learning and increased student achievement while also employing a variety of measures” (Web 2.0, 2007, p.41).
3. Assessing students forlearning with technology
To make sure students understand learning teachers will need to assess their learning with technology. Students need multiple skills to be able to use technology effectively. Most students will have these skills but some students will need guidance along the way. Each student learns in “a ariety of ways,” they will need different techniques to help them grasp concepts (Web 2.0, 2007, p.37). Students will one day be our next generation of adults. They will one day be in our shoes, so as educators we need to keep this idea in mind and give them the tools they need to succeed.
4. Managing classroom and technology use effectively
Teachers need to understand technology and the advantages in may bring in the classroom. Teachers need to manage their time using technology so students can have a wide variety of projects, assignments, assessments, and other learning tools. Project-based learning can be a very effective classroom assignment. Students will be able to use technology to research concepts and this way the student will become involved in the learning process. Project-based learning “encourages learning in depth by allowing students to use inquiry-based methods to engage with issues and questions that are rich, real, and relevant to their lives” (Web 2.0, 2007, p. 39)
5. Facilitating engaging learning experiences in the classroom with technology
Students need to once again be engaged in the learning experience. Technology is a tool that is widely used for student involvement. As educators, we can take advantage of a wide variety of new tools for teaching. Using technology as a guide for active learning teachers can raise the interest level of the class as well as the interest level the students will have to the subject. Getting students involved is an important tool. Students can “collaborate on projects, consult experts, and share their ideas with the world” all by using technology (Web 2.0, 2007, p. 24).
6. Supporting learning outside the classroom with technology
One way teachers can support learning outside the classroom by using technology can be using an interactive website. Using a site such as www.weebly.com can engage the students to look up project and other interesting information. The websites can be altered in any way the teacher chooses and the students will be able to access the information in the website from the comforts of their own home. Students can have a fun and active learning experience and the educator “can make sure that students learn how to process and use that information wisely” (Web 2.0, 2007, p. 42).
7. Supporting diverse learners with technology
This generation of learners are some of the most unique and diverse group of learners that education has seen. Students are very active in their schools, but they understand what they want from their education. Students want a “tech-savvy”learning environment (Web 2.0, 2007, p. 31). These students want to be engaged in their learning and they are telling us that we are not doing the job required. If we truly want to support this diverse group we will need to evolve our teaching styles.
Using technology can be a very effective tool in the classroom, but making sure that this technology is engaging students can be a difficult action. Students in the 21st century are keener to technological things. It makes sense to try and blend the school setting with an aspect that students are most comfortable with. Using WebQuests, PowerPoint, and online Websites can help a student become engaged in the lesson. The students in this generation are constantly changing; therefore teachers need to be aware of the different types of changes. Technology is one of these changes. To students “technology is second nature” they can “accept and use it without question” therefore it is important that their teachers are actively using technology (Web 2.0, 2007, p. 17).
2. Presenting concepts effectively with technology
Students can learn effectively through the use of technology. Their brains are already programed into multiple aspects of technology. Using
different tools to teach can help students become actively engaged in a lesson and subject. Making sure the students are not bored, is a top priority. If a student is engaged in the lesson their outcome for learning the material is higher. The difficult task of using technology effectively is finding different “ways to support in-depth learning and increased student achievement while also employing a variety of measures” (Web 2.0, 2007, p.41).
3. Assessing students forlearning with technology
To make sure students understand learning teachers will need to assess their learning with technology. Students need multiple skills to be able to use technology effectively. Most students will have these skills but some students will need guidance along the way. Each student learns in “a ariety of ways,” they will need different techniques to help them grasp concepts (Web 2.0, 2007, p.37). Students will one day be our next generation of adults. They will one day be in our shoes, so as educators we need to keep this idea in mind and give them the tools they need to succeed.
4. Managing classroom and technology use effectively
Teachers need to understand technology and the advantages in may bring in the classroom. Teachers need to manage their time using technology so students can have a wide variety of projects, assignments, assessments, and other learning tools. Project-based learning can be a very effective classroom assignment. Students will be able to use technology to research concepts and this way the student will become involved in the learning process. Project-based learning “encourages learning in depth by allowing students to use inquiry-based methods to engage with issues and questions that are rich, real, and relevant to their lives” (Web 2.0, 2007, p. 39)
5. Facilitating engaging learning experiences in the classroom with technology
Students need to once again be engaged in the learning experience. Technology is a tool that is widely used for student involvement. As educators, we can take advantage of a wide variety of new tools for teaching. Using technology as a guide for active learning teachers can raise the interest level of the class as well as the interest level the students will have to the subject. Getting students involved is an important tool. Students can “collaborate on projects, consult experts, and share their ideas with the world” all by using technology (Web 2.0, 2007, p. 24).
6. Supporting learning outside the classroom with technology
One way teachers can support learning outside the classroom by using technology can be using an interactive website. Using a site such as www.weebly.com can engage the students to look up project and other interesting information. The websites can be altered in any way the teacher chooses and the students will be able to access the information in the website from the comforts of their own home. Students can have a fun and active learning experience and the educator “can make sure that students learn how to process and use that information wisely” (Web 2.0, 2007, p. 42).
7. Supporting diverse learners with technology
This generation of learners are some of the most unique and diverse group of learners that education has seen. Students are very active in their schools, but they understand what they want from their education. Students want a “tech-savvy”learning environment (Web 2.0, 2007, p. 31). These students want to be engaged in their learning and they are telling us that we are not doing the job required. If we truly want to support this diverse group we will need to evolve our teaching styles.