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"Best Practices for Using Technology in the Classroom Technology in the Classroom When using technology for teaching, there are four basic principles to be kept in mind: Alignment: Technology should be used for a purpose-not for the sake of being flashy and not as a distraction from other forms of pedagogy. Carefully consider the ways in which video or other media that you share with your class are aligned with your learning objectives. Consider the technology that is most closely in alignment with your teaching skills and the needs of your students-if you don't like to teach with Power Point, consider giving students a handout outlining the main points of your lecture and listing major concepts to assist them in note-taking. Accessibility: Be sure that the technology that you intend to use is accessible to your students. While computers are virtually ubiquitous, and students living on campus have ready access to computing labs and other technology on campus, do consider whether or not your students have access to technology that you want them to use. Also, consider your own access to technology: make sure that you are familiar with all of the technology that you use and that media technology in your classroom is functioning correctly before the class. Plan ahead. If you are going to show a film, for example, don't wait until you walk into class to find out if the player in your classroom supports your DVD's regional format, or you will find yourself scrambling to come up with a lesson plan that does not include the film. By checking the regional format in advance, you will be able to have a matching-format DVD player delivered to the classroom by Technology Services. Assessment: As with lectures, discussions, and labs, provide your students with guidance when dealing with media technologies. If you are showing them a film, provide them with the learning objectives that you have for them in watching the film. Consider giving them a short assignment to be fil

this is a link to accessibility tools for use in the classroom

"3 Tips on Integrating Technology in the Classroom Former Gov. Bob Wise discusses Digital Learning Day and how high school teachers can embrace technology. By Laura McMullen Jan. 25, 2012 SHARE Integrating technology into a high school classroom isn't a one-step process. "You can't just slap a netbook [computer] on top of a textbook and say, 'Great, now we have technology," says Bob Wise, former governor of West Virginia and president of the Alliance for Excellent Education, an advocacy organization. Wise says that digital learning starts with teachers, whose performance is enhanced by technology-not the other way around. That's also the idea of Digital Learning Day, which the Alliance is spearheading. The first annual Digital Learning Day falls on February 1 and will celebrate innovative K-12 instructors who successfully bring technology into the classroom by assigning online course content, using adaptive software for students with special needs, and utilizing online student assessments and other digital tools. Educators, as well as parents, students, librarians, and community leaders, can learn about classroom innovations and get new ideas by chiming in during the virtual National Town Hall meeting held on Digital Learning Day. [Learn how a new iPad app is revolutionizing textbooks.] "The whole intention of Digital Learning Day is to really celebrate teachers and good instructional learning practices," says Sarah Hall, director of the Alliance's Center for Secondary School Digital Learning and Policy. And good teaching, especially the kind that involves working with evolving technologies, sometimes requires good advice. Hall and Wise shared the following ideas for effectively using technology in the classroom-not just on Digital Learning Day, but anytime. 1. Plan ahead: There has to be a comprehensive strategy in place to implement technology into the school system, Wise says, and the teachers have to be involved in the planning stages. "When a schoo

This is one of my favorite ways to keep my "desktop" online organized. I can create quick links to any web-pages I access on a regular basis through symbaloo, and also customize it to look how I want! I like keeping my frequently accessed tools (youtube, wordreference, edmodo) in pink and then sites I still would like to check out in black. This is really useful!

Organizer

I really appreciate your detailed description Beth!

A free, downloadable website that provides students options for accessing web content minus the clutter. It is a great tool for students that need to change the visuals on a page, bringing the text forward. You can customize the font size and type to suit a student's style. Let's you save articles in that format to your iPad too.

Varied online games across several academic areas. Different medium for students to access information. There is a game called windfall; the point of the game is to set up and maintain a wind farm to create energy and revenue. Instead of just lecturing to the students about clean energy this allows them the opportunity to try it.

Basically, this is a helpful google tool called "Swiffy". Many computers (like iPads) do not yet allow for the use of "flash" content, which is how most video clips and visuals work. This handy tool essentially converts files rapidly into HTML5, giving individuals with incompatible software the opportunity to access all Flash SWF files. It's easy to just upload the file and convert with a click of the mouse!

This is a sample template for a science fair PowerPoint presentation. I found the format to be really easy to understand. Also, because this is a googledoc, every student can access and post their projects online!

Results from a randomized control trial with students deemed ready to take Algebra I in 8th grade, but their school doesn't offer the course.

This website is accessible for all ages, elementary, middle and high school. It has four main tools and services: The Renzulli Profiler, Differentiation Engine, Grouping and Reporting Tools, and Personal Success Plan. The Renzulli Profiler uses a strengths based assessment to find out a student's top three strengths, interests, and learning and expression styles. The Grouping and Reporting Tool then takes these results and uses them to group students.

(WIRED) -- More and more schools are jumping on the digital bandwagon and adopting iPads for daily use in the classroom. Apple's education-related announcements last week will no doubt bolster the trend, making faculty tools and student textbooks more engaging and accessible.

A little outdated, but extremely informative database. If you want an easy access to US census information in all states, you can put in a zip code and you will get a lot of information from the 2000 census. You can also compare the data with neighboring zip codes.