Group items tagged

" special education, classroom, SPED, projector, document camera, interactive whiteboard, technology tools"

Mere substitution is not going to help our learners maximise the affordances of technology. The challenge is to find ways by which technology can enhance learning. We can be certain that technology is not going to go away and that those who maximise the affordances that it brings are likely to gain the most from it. 

Tools like 'PhotoMath' present educators with a genuine challenge and leave many asking should we allow our students to use tools such as these?

Ryan Goble, who often coaches teachers in what he calls the "mindful" use of technology, has written today's guest post on user-friendly tools that enable the creation of student projects.

Resources for Creating Classroom Website

New smarttech Home

The experience I have found is that Unversity lecturers, preservice students and schools (the majority, not the minority) are struggling to understand how to use technologies such as whiteboards in an effective manner. The typical response for change in institutions is to push the technology not the pedagogy. Also, not sure of the percentage of casual teachers, high I believe, is that they go from school to school, where some have smartboards, some promethean and other various models. Where does the education for technology start? In the schools, the universities, the student? or the manufacture who puts out promotional material on the web, hoping this will transfuse into the teachers time poor memory of lesson plans.

"What it is: IDroo is an educational multi user whiteboard that lets students instantly collaborate online.  Everything that is drawn or written on the whiteboard is visible to all participants in real-time.  IDroo supports an unlimited number of meeting participants, the only limitations are computer power and internet connection speed.  There is a professional math typing tool built-in making it easy to teach or work through math problems collaboratively. Best of all, IDroo can be used with Skype! IDroo is free for non-commercial use. Now for the downfall (and this is a HUGE downfall in my humble opinion), IDroo is currently only available for Windows.  I  know, disappointment for us Mac lovers. *sigh*  If you are using a Windows computer this is a great way to collaborate online! How to integrate IDroo into the classroom: IDroo would be a great app for collaborating with other classrooms around the world.  Students can use the multi user whiteboard space to work together, share ideas, and brainstorm.  IDroo would also be fantastic as a way for teachers to tutor students virtually.  Set up an "open lab" time once a week online where students can drop in and get extra help.  Virtual lab times are especially helpful for elementary students who can't dictate their own schedules and often can't stay after school for extra help. Tips: Don't forget to allow IDroo to access Skype API after you download!" iLearn Technology

Hi Jess, could I also add, that there is a greater issue with interactive Whiteboards. Some of the big teaching colleges and Universities in Australia did not have any!! or they were very outdated,... or they were bought the wrong ones!! As some of the Universites are tech phonic... the reality of interactive whiteboards is up to the inspiration of the academic.... Something which is not that transparent when you look at fancy marketed websites.

Could I also add, being a primary school trained teacher and academic in education, most retiring academics do not wish to learn to teach with technology (out of their comfort zone) and believe.... firmly that face to face ... is the only way....to educate. Technology has been pushed globally into the education system, with pedagogy taking last place. Pedagogy is the teaching strategies where teachers construct learning in a classroom, when they are given a broad socially constructed curriculum... i.e the teachers science or magic potion which supports student learning. while interactive whiteboards add an amazing dimension to learning, it is only as good as the student teacher, who is often thrusted into a teaching classroom,,, and needs to grapple with the technology as there are many products out there and work differently... need alone.... Batteries!!! yes batteries should always be in the tool kit of a teacher now.

"A simple way to place useful, formative classroom lessons over any Web page. "

Wow! This has to be a great thing for any eductor that wants to have some simple guides, perhaps to share with staff.