Group items tagged

This article talks about how iPads and other tablets are a learning tool for students with disabilities, not just for novelty. Students who have trouble communicating verbally can use apps to talk to peers, teachers and parents. It allows them to be more like their peers and can spark new friendships if used in the right way. It can be used in all classes, including Math and Science, allowing students to be more independent than they have ever been.

This article sounds interesting. I wish I could have read the entire article.

Teachers can use technology to facilitate real, engaged teaching and learning, whether it's through social media, cell phones, or tapping into the expertise of other teachers. No matter what tool is being used, it's important to see how the technology helps the goal be reached and what learning experience is being promoted.

This was a timely article as we talk continue to talk about integrating technology. I really liked your comment about how the technology helps the goal to be reached.

This article discusses Federal research and programs to promote and utilize technology for students with disabilities.The article discusses the needs for furthering the knowledge on tools that could be utilized for students with disabilities to get them at an educational level suitable for independence. The core of this article is to be able to learn what instruments work, which do not, and the future of technology with students that have disabilities. How does technology affect the education of the students with these disabilities.

In this article, the author describes why technology is extremely important when used in the classroom, because it enhances learning. Using interviews, questionnaires, and observations, the author shows the problems of teachers and students, regarding accessibility, and how we should use technology as a tool.

This study examined ten teachers' use of technology for five years following initial certification. Only one in ten reached the highest of the five stages the authors used to "grade" the teachers' use of technology. Researchers (e.g. Russell, Bebell, O'Dwyer, & O'Connor, 2003) have pointed to the need for teacher education and professional development programs to provide the time to implement the technology to allow for more ownership of how to teach with the technology.

The authors discussed the impact of technology with a specific emphasis on teaching mathematics. Pedagogy, content, and technology all interact with each other in a math classroom in unique ways as certain content itself relies on the technology for its existence, whereas pedagogy can be enhanced by technology. The key to a teacher's effective use of technology lies in the intersection of technical knowledge, pedagogical enhancement and content supplementation incorporated in thoughtful, non-routine ways.

I enjoyed learning about TPACK (content specific technological pedagogical content knowledge).

Edudemic is a website that posts research, news, and reviews for teachers and students. "How Technology is Being Used in Special Ed" gives statistics regarding funding, services, types of disabilities, tools, and resources available to Special Education programs in schools. A very detailed and colorful Infographic is given.

Learning about how technology is being used and what tools are used the most in special education was fascinating!

78% of K-12 teachers believe technology in the classroom makes a positive difference; however, 17% believe it does not make a difference. Students today spent a majority of their day using 21st century technologies and if teachers put them in a 19th century classroom settings, they will have a significant disconnect with their students. Technology can raise students enthusiasm for learning, as well as amplify a teacher's strengths or weaknesses.

If a teacher isn't invested or prepared, technology can definitely spotlight a teacher's weaknesses.

Technology is considered a necessary tool for use in higher education and the economy. As future employees of companies, our students will be required to adapt quickly, gain knowledge and apply it in a variety of ways. As a teacher integrating technology, one must design and instruct in the manner to which they are the most comfortable but think always about their student's futures not their own in relation to technology.

I appreciate that the author focused on the underlying learning objectives first. He also mentioned that technology could be a time-saver, but didn't feel the need to use every free website offered to him.

Colleen Klaiber-Deacon Activity in classrooms is a great way to keep students more focused on learning. There are many different activities a teacher can do in the classroom, with classroom materials that is quick and to the point. From moving to stretching to even types of yoga, fuel up to play 60 has great activities for you to perform in class. 1. What is a major advantage that you can think of for getting students to move around? 2. What could you do as a teacher to make activities in the classroom more exciting and fun? 3. Is taking time to do physical activity in the classroom worth it? Explain?

Great article!

I have been very intrigued by the thought of a flipped classroom (where students watch your lecture in the privacy of their own home and then come to class and work on homework and assignments) so I wanted to do little more research on the idea. This is a great article FOR flipped classrooms. There were 453 instructors who flipped their classrooms and 67 percent said they experienced increased test scores, 88 percent saw improved student attitudes and 99 percent said they would do it again. The flipped classroom allows for self-pacing and it helps students look up information they may have been scared to ask in class. This reminds me of when I was in college, if I read the chapter prior to my class I ALWAYS got more out of the lectures and homework than I did if I did not read. The flipped classroom allows for students to do their homework in class when the instructor is present so they can get help. In a flipped classroom instead of talking AT our students we are circulating and talking WITH them therefore, instructors have more one-on-one time with the students. What do you think of incorporating a flipped classroom? DISCUSSION: 1) Would you be willing to try a flipped classroom if your school would allow? Or, would you ask if you could try a flipped classroom? 2) I wonder if students would even watch the videos. In my daughter's school it seems most students aren't even doing their homework, do you think they would watch the videos before class? 3) Do you think the flipped classroom would be effective and: increase test scores, provide for improved student attitudes, improve student-teacher interaction, and allow students to learn at their own pace?

I am starting to see this more and more in my school. Great questions to consider!

This article addresses the issue of teacher burnout and a solution to help treat and minimize it. The article suggests that relieving one's stress for a short period each day goes a long way in avoiding burnout. 1) Should all teachers be required to participate in a short training to teach them mindfulness and stress relieving techniques? 2) What techniques do you use to destress and how can incorporating mindfulness improve them? 3) How would taking time to destress through mindfulness effect your classroom performance?

It's that time of year. You'll always see LOTS of teacher burnout/teacher slump articles written in November :)

I think that this article does a straight forward job of addressing the need to bring social studies back into the core curriculum. The article says, although some may not agree, social sciences help to teach kids about who they are, where they've come from, and how to interact in public. Social sciences also teach our students how to be good citizens and what their rights are. Taking this away or diminishing its importance leads to apathy and illiteracy in terms of social and political economics. Lastly, the article states that a lot of kids may actually like social science and that there are jobs out their in the social science and economic fields and that turning away from social science in school could strongly deter those kids from pursuing those fields.

Love this article! You know I agree! Make sure to add three questions.

In today's times, the K-12 classroom is continually evolving in order to adapt to the fast paced world of technological advances. It's important that teachers keep up-to-date with the latest helpful technology for their students and that parents understand the ramifications of that technology. This blog gives a list of technology trends that are impacting education both with their pros and cons listed.

Good article. Please make sure to include three questions.

How exciting to see art teachers embracing technology to open new avenues of creativity for students. This article is an interview with two art teachers using ipads in the art classroom. Students can learn traditional elements of art plus things like layers and transparency plus undo mistakes, while gaining valuable technology skills. 1. How much technology is too much? 2. How do teachers keep up with advances in technology in art? Specialized art programs can be incredibly in-depth. 3. Can teachers who don't have access to ipads in the classroom, stay on the cutting edge of art ed?

Good questions!

Children who are physically fit absorb and retain new information more effectively than children who are out of shape, a new study finds, raising timely questions about the wisdom of slashing physical education programs at schools. How might you, as a teacher, incorporate physical fitness into your class, even if it is only for a couple minutes? Today, technology has become such a large portion of our life, what can be done to encourage students to become more physically active outside of school rather than play video games all night? Who would be a good resource to find out further information about types of physical activity for your students?

You only have one sentence of summary (as written). You need to have at least two or three. Great questions.

How do we get students invested in the learning material? This article gives us some ideas. A list of ideas include: use technology, personalize lessons, and make your lessons social (collaborate) or use social networking to share and access information. * Should social networking be included in the lesson plan? * Should all of our lessons be personalized to each student in our class? *How much technology should I incorporate into lessons? Could the whole lesson be taught and assessed using only technology? Laurie Hoepner

Wonderful! Great summary and questions!

Five trends in CCSS: Instruction in How to Listen; Evolution of the Teacher-Student relationship; Increased Responsibility for Students; Move toward Project-based learning; and K-12 will get serious about Coding. These trends will have an impact on you as a teacher, be informed...be a learner first. Questions: 1) How will these trends affect or change the physical make-up of your classroom setting? 2) If you compare how your students use social media with the trend of teaching students how to listen, what challenges do you anticipate? 3) What are your thoughts regarding the trend "the evolving of the teacher-student relationship"?

Make sure your summary represents graduate level writing. I like the list, but impress me with the last two sentences. WONDERFUL questions!

This was an article by Robert Earl from "The Atlantic". It focuses on how American High School students are using their cellphones to listen to music, texting, in the hallways and any opportunity to use it in the classroom with the teacher's permission. According to the University of Michigan, 71% of the students receive or send text messages by their cellphones in class. Many students say they "can focus on their schoolwork better if they are listening to music through their earbuds". There are four advantages that benefits the students and two disadvantages of using cellphones in the classroom. The most important message is that either way students must be taught to love learning -- to embrace the process of finding answers. We as educators to need to embrace using all types of technology in the classroom as well.

This article outlines techniques and applications to use social media in businesses and schools. Although there is still a negative reaction to using Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites, this article offers appropriate uses for these in the classroom. It also outlines sources for educators and administration to improve their learning and development as well.

Social media continues to be a hot topic in schools. I wish I could have read the article.