Group items tagged

improving the way students typically learn.

This short article is a review for those who would like to use the iPad/iPhone app 'Fit Brains Trainer.' It provides activities that allow one to think faster, to improve short and long term memory, to enhance their ability to solve complex problems, and to improve concentration when there are many distractions present.

This article outlines the benefits of using technology to go paperless. Gwynn Moore, a media technology teacher in Aurora, Colorado, uses Google Classroom with her students. She also uses Google Docs. WIth over 200 students, they help her keep organized. There are many benefits: students can work at their own pace, grading is efficient, templates are easily designed, the sharing of documents, opportunity for collaboration, and voice-to-text writing abilities. Cloud-based tools improve the learning environment.

The article explains how a teacher's decision to go paperless affected the learning process of her students and her performance and organization as a teacher. Using Google Classroom made the grading process easier for her because she did not have to fight with "unreadable" handwriting anymore. She was able to grade the assignments from any device or computer without having to carry tons of paper around. And she was able improve her classroom's organization by keeping track of her students assignments in the cloud. This allowed her to view, grade, and comment on their assignments without damaging or losing them. For the students, it was beneficial as well because it gave them independence and ownership over their own learning. They were also able to work at their own time and space. Google Classroom proved to be beneficial for both the students and the teacher.

Nearly 100% of all Hastings Elementary students have learned how to create basic computer codes. This was accomplished by exposing K-4 graders to something called "block coding" which is where students are given a set of blocks that represent commands. They use these blogs to "debug" and "create" a program. The article also outlines technology literacy.

This article is helpful to our class because it establishes how important technology integration into our classroom is, and that in order to do so we teachers must be trained professionally. This improves our quality as educators.

This article provides helpful tools or "life hacks" for fellow teachers to help them with their instructional technology lessons. Ed tech teachers are always looking for easier and more effective ways to communicate with their students as well as help their students with an understanding of educational technology. This article simply provides an aid for those educators in the pursuit of better tricks to improve everyday life.

There are major predictions for 2015. Teachers all over the nation will be able to share/provide information with online groups. It will also bring an explosion of new classes being formed so students can create and experiment with newer technological programs. People all over the nation will experience a new speed of technology and a new level of privacy.

This article describes upcoming technologies that will be placed into school systems and their benefits to students and teachers. This article foresees a bright future in the tech world. They will be implementing faster internet speeds due to the lack of connectivity in several schools across the U.S. With things such as this being implemented into schools, technology seems to be the only future education has and will only be improving from here.

This post lists five different ways to use technology to improve a classroom, but also has a few suggestions for when a teacher might not have the money for the technology. One app suggestion, ScreenChomp, allows a teacher to screen share on an iPad to give students better understandings when they need help.

The article talks about the importance in keeping up with technology. They believe that people, such as teachers and programs would be "silly" to not stay update with the new technological systems, because that is the way our future is learning and growing. The talk about teachers teaching teachers, stating The Teacher Leadership Project, a nationally recognized, award-winning professional development model that is used in 18 states by 4,200 teachers, is a prime example of the good work being done in technology-infused teaching. "The whole '21st century' mindset is more than technology itself. It's the confidence teachers have to effectively use it in class."

This article outlines new improvements for teacher professional development, involving newer technology upgrades.  One key point of the article was the passing of the Enhancing Education Through Technology, or (EETT) state grant program, which includes a $650 million stimulus package to upgrade technology in classrooms across the country.  Funding is also provided to train the teachers to properly use the technology to its fullest capacity, this way educators can have confidence using these new tools.

Today students are expected to learn analytical skills for preparation for work and life in the 21st century. Teachers are expected to teach way that develops those skills. President Obama and congressional leaders included 650 million dollars. 25% had to be used to buy the most updated technology for students. International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) states "It would be "silly" not to keep up with the changes of the world today" National Staff Development Council says we have failed as a nation to meet highly effective professional learning. Today 18 states (4,200 teachers) were recognized for technology integration in the classrooms. Enhancing Missouri's Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies (eMINTS) is a program that aims to create classrooms where all students are motivated to succeed, build enthusiasm and creativity. eMINTS trained 3,500 teachers and 300 administrators since its formation in 1999. In the 21st century student will have a difficult time succeeding without technology. The article states "Technology integration in the end, is not really about technology, but rather the life skills it instills in students and teachers."

Cant find your old notebook?. Only have your phone on you but need to study for a test on a train? Not a problem.  Evernote is an application that allows you to access your notes anywhere at anytime from any device. Ever note web clipper extension takes the Evernote application one step further. Evernote makes studying for a test and organizing information easier then ever. When you find a good site or good pdf, clip it and save it in your evernote file forever from anywhere. Random computer not a problem just log into your account and you have all the notes you have ever taken on it organized in notebooks. 

I've used the Evernote app in the past, but with this chrome extension, it seems much more useful! The combination of the highlighting feature and the anytime access definitely improves the tool.

This article from Blackboard Connect, in collaboration with Dr. Rudy Crew, focuses on the utilization of technology in order to achieve global competitiveness of our students. The article states that a key point towards this goal is the communication aspect. Some of the areas discussed are: Engaging parents in the academic lives of their children, recruiting active involvement from community leaders and utilizing innovative technology in the classroom to teach students skills necessary for real world work environments. Especially noteworthy is that technology facilitates communication in these areas, which have resulted in higher grade point averages, increased participation, and improved social skills.

This article explains what holographic technology is and how it can be possibly be used in classrooms in the future. Microsoft has created products that allowed used to interact with 3D images, and while not available as of yet, have impressive applications for a classroom setting. For example, this futuristic technology would allow students to virtually conduct science experiments that would otherwise be too difficult or expensive to conduct in real life. The learning process as a whole could be greatly improved with the use of holographic technology.

This article is a great read for teachers integrating technology! The article specifies why integration of technology in the classroom improves student achievement. The article also gives step by step instructions and which tools are proven to be needed in the classroom. The article also includes where to start. 

This article is an excerpt by Boni Hamilton. This shows her "philosophy" of technology integration; what it is, why integrate, and effectiveness of research. She also talks about how schools need to be properly equipped for integration. She gives ideas of how to start and what the administrators as well as the teachers need to do. As prospective educators ourselves, this would be of great use to us.  

I found this article that relates to our class. It relates to our class because it talks about how todays students are starting their schools years using more technology then ever before. Instead of having students writing, they are swiping screens. This article labels the skills that technology can help improve in students today.

This post talks about integrating relevant information into the use of technology in a classroom. This means going beyond teaching the kids how to use the device and download apps but applying technology to specific areas of learning. This includes collaborating with the teachers of certain subjects and creating google docs to be able to openly see students progress as well as create ideas. They also talk about the SAMR model and i'll post that word for word because its an important model that was adopted by the school in the article for this idea. Substitution: Technology acts as a direct tool substitute, with no functional change. Augmentation: Technology acts as a direct tool substitute, with functional improvement. Modification: Technology allows for significant task redesign. Redefinition: Technology allows for the creation of new tasks, previously inconceivable.

Teacher explains how playing Minecraft with her class has benefitted students. The student's scores increased significantly in math and English. She explained a cultural shift that took place, students loving the work and showing off their academic skills. The academic growth seen by students using Minecraft makes me want to implement this in my future classes!

This is a very interesting article. Every student in my class play this game. Most of my students play the creative mode. It is amazing to watch these kids build intricate maps that display knowledgeable concentration. I find myself watching the kids over their shoulders on break for several minutes and being astonished of the problem solving techniques they use to think their specified maps. On top of that, it is a very hard game to play. I never can complete a regular level. I feel like a dinosaur picking up their tablet and try to play this game. I remember trying to play my dad in the early Madden games growing up. I feel like the parent picking up the controller and having no idea what to do. Even though the concept is so simple. There are several learning abilities to apply for the game.

Teacher explains how playing Minecraft with her class has benefitted students. The student's scores increased significantly in math and English. She explained a cultural shift that took place, students loving the work and showing off their academic skills. The academic growth seen by students using Minecraft makes me want to implement this in my future classes!

Class Dojo allows for teachers to improve behavior by collecting data and generating it for the teacher. Furthermore, this information can then be shared with parents and administrators. Teachers can give their students feedback on their behavior, as well as send quick messages that resemble texts. It also syncs across your devices which is nice for accessing the extension at home.