FCIT is funded by the Florida Department of Education, school districts, educational foundations, and others to provide leadership, instructional materials, and support services to educational institutions in Florida and beyond with regard to the integration of technology into K-20 education.
With my position as elementary computer lab teacher, these goodies will come in handy. Sites like this will enable me to give my students more options and tools to work with during their creative projects on the computer.
The Florida Center for Instructional Technology is located at USF and is funded by the Florida Department of Education. It provides links to numerous educational technology resources.
The Florida Center for Instructional Technology (FCIT) provides leadership, instructional materials, and support services to educational institutions with regard to the integration of technology into K-20 education. Has thousands of royalty-free clipart and images.
I really like the resources for presentations and technology incorporation in the classroom in the Educational Technology Clearinghouse section of the site.
The Florida Digital Educator program supports the appropriate integration of technology into K-12 education. Visit the Florida Standards website for information about the Sunshine State Standards. Each photo is available in multiple sizes great for student and teacher use. A friendly license allows teachers and students to use up to 25 free photos per project.
This website is AMAZING. It has clip-art, photographs, presentation images, maps, lessons, and answers to tech questions. There are so many images available, they are free (up to a certain amount, but it is very generous), it tells you exactly how to cite them, and it has options for file size and format.
It took some clicking/digging around, but this is what led me to this site: FL DOE - Educators button at top - Curriculum, Instruction, Student Services - Instruction & Curriculum - Instructional Technology - Educational Technology Clearinghouse
Making A Difference: Using Emerging Technologies and Teaching Strategies to Restructure an Undergraduate Technology Course for Pre-service Teachers
To prepare educators for the twenty-first century, colleges of education must be leaders of change by providing pre-service teachers with a technology-enriched curriculum. Many pre-service teachers continue to enter institutions of higher learning lacking positive attitudes, proper skills, and knowledge of the use of computers. The purpose of this study was to evaluate both quantitatively and qualitatively the effectiveness of a completely redesigned introduction to technology course for pre-service teachers. The intent of this article is to share information, provide guidance for faculty considering upgrading or beginning an introduction to technology course for pre-service teachers, and to
Find basic computer skills, Internet research tips, Internet safety resources, lessons, and worksheets to help integrate technology across the curriculum. Learn the history of the Internet; get help with using computer word processors; find out how to create PowerPoint presentations; understand the difference between a podcast and a blog; research interesting science projects online; use the computer to extend a literature activity; and other fascinating activities. Encourage your students to use technology in school and out. The possibilities are endless, when it comes to how the Internet, computers, and other forms of modern technology can benefit your classroom instruction.
Read more on TeacherVision: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/educational-technology/teacher-resources/43743.html#ixzz26Pkee3uC
10 Internet technologies include: Video and Podcasting Resources;Digital Presentation Tools; Collaboration & Brainstorming Tools; Blogs & Blogging; Social Networking Tools; Lecture Capture; Student Response Systems & Poll/Survey Tools; Educational Gaming; Open Educational Resources; The iPad and other tablet devices.
Although a lens to view the future is clouded, and must be filtered through the past and present, the ability to stand back and think about the impact of technologies on student learning will undergird research in technology for the education of children, youth, and adults with disabilities in the 21st century. We must view the coming changes, and they will be massive, from the perspective that technology provides access to learning but does not control it; that technologies are not the content of education鉹ather, they provide a cornucopia of tools for learning.
The topic of future trends in technology for schools involves an incredible amount of inherent change, especially in reference to technology capabilities. This site is an introduction to many of the aspects of technology change that will impact education in the next few years. The goal of the site is to give administrators a glimpse into the rich technology resources available on the Web. Using this site for "just-in-time" references to issues that all administrators will or are currently facing, will assist districts in managing change through research and understanding. Some current pivotal issues include a clear understanding of possible affects of technology tools will have on learning styles, facilities planning, student achievement, budgeting, and teacher preparation.
The Office of Educational Technology is involved in a variety of projects and initiatives that leverage technology to improve teaching and learning and create opportunities for innovation.
Good article on the need to develop/ sustain an interest in "how technology works," through technology education targeted at early high school students. The Australian Computer Society, mentioned in the article, "strives for ICT to be recognised as a driver of innovation in our society . . . ." Link shared by Tony Richards from Diigo group, Ed Tech Crew.
TIELab "Technology in Education Laboratory" homepage. Serves to integrate technology into learning as mentioned in Best Practice. They have a History Lab link, templates for student based inquiry activities, and a link to network with other educators and share good uses of technology in education.
If you believe that technology is a distraction and not a way to enhance educational practices, you're probably not using it correctly.
When we were kids, did we leave school every day thinking that we had to go home and do research. Homework was something that got in the way of our play. We wanted to go outside and play games or stay inside and play video games. As we grew older we wanted to connect with our friends by playing sports or talking on the phone. Suddenly, we became adults and expect all students to want to go home and do research.
Our job as educators is to build a bridge between what they use it for and what we want them to use it for.
The reality is that it plays an important part in our lives and keeps us connected. We live busy lives so having multiple ways to connect with people is a strength and not a weakness. It's how we communicate that matters. Teaching students about the benefits and the pitfalls is important.
Being the barrier because it doesn't coincide with your views isn't helping anyone
Although research studies in education show that use of technology can help student learning, its use is generally affected by certain barriers. In this paper, we first identify the general barriers typically faced by K-12 schools, both in the United States as well as other countries, when integrating technology into the curriculum for instructional purposes, namely: (a) resources, (b) institution, (c) subject culture, (d) attitudes and beliefs, (e) knowledge and skills, and (f) assessment. We then describe the strategies to overcome such barriers: (a) having a shared vision and technology integration plan, (b) overcoming the scarcity of resources, (c) changing attitudes and beliefs, (d) conducting professional development, and (e) reconsidering assessments. Finally, we identify several current knowledge gaps pertaining to the barriers and strategies of technology integration, and offer pertinent recommendations for future research.
As technology continues to evolve, there is a greater demand for integrating technology into the classrooms. This article is a great read to help further the discussion on if this push for more technology in the classroom truly leads to the enhancing of students' learning and the quality of education.
A great education news site that provides a sub section just for technology. A fantastic way to get access to up-to-day edtech news and best practices. Perfect resource for those in EdTech.