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The iPad has fundamentally changed how and what I teach in my Spanish classes. First of all, I no longer use textbooks. Ever. Why would I when everything I need and more is available online or through an app? As educators, we are often told to teach students "21st century skills", but let's be honest, ...

See how one 4th grade teacher uses technology in Math. Tracking the Iditarod, students use computers to learn about elapsed time. This helps them see Math in the real world. Covers Common Core Standards for Math.

Mobile digital devices like smartphones, tablets, and even laptops have made it much easier for learners of English as a second language to immerse themselves in constant practice and speed up their learning process. ESL and TESOL teachers and learners can find a world of useful apps for every platform to help with such crucial language learning processes as: Vocabulary building Reading comprehension Pronunciation ...and more!

The ease-of-use and engagement factor of an iPad can really liven up a lesson. Combine that with an apps' ability to simulate real-world conditions, such as chemical reactions, and you have a tool that is both safe and fun for your students.

This is a great article called "A Parent's Guide to 21st Century Learning" by Edutopia.org. In summary, it is a parent's guide that is intended to bring more parents into the conversation about improving education. It is organized into different grade levels. There is a page with 10 tips for parents to help them bring 21st century skills home. For example, they recommend that parents help their child discover their potential through community arts programs. They also recommend parents build on their kid's interest in gaming by getting them connected with Massively Minecraft. I had never heard of this before reading this article. It is a digital media learning community created by parents and teachers for students ages 4-16. You can check it out at massivelyminecraft.org. This article also lists organizations that offer more in depth info about project based learning and social/emotional learning. I found it helpful as a teacher too because it provides links to a lot of projects and activities for the classroom. Lastly, this article gives examples of what teachers do in the classroom and matching ideas for how parents can get more involved. For example, teachers are using Skype in the classroom to extend projects and learning beyond the school building, so they recommend that parents who travel a lot for work can further support what is going on in the classroom by Skyping with the class and doing a "parent on the street report" or tour of wherever they are in the world. Most of all, this article just has so many suggested links that you can learn so much from it.

This video summarizes the importance of integrating technology into our classrooms to help prepare our students for today's world. Though children have access to technology every day, they are not always equipped with the right tools to use it effectively. Bringing technology into the classroom in a relevant, challenging, and engaging way will stimulate our students and allow them to be challenged in new ways, collaborate with their peers, create and grow. Though the task can seem daunting, the video stresses to start small and collaborate to simplify the process. I found that this video follows the SAMR model in that it encourages the use of technology to enhance student learning and to use it to transform student learning in ways that were never thought possible.