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Overall, integrating technology into the classroom helps prepare our students for the elaborate world they will face going forward, but there are also four specific benefits to using technology in the classroom: It can keep students focused for longer periods of time. The use of Students engaging in groups with iPads in the classroom. Photo by Matt Malone  computers to look up information/data is a tremendous time saver, especially when used to access a comprehensive resource like the Internet to conduct research. This time-saving aspect can keep students focused on a project much longer than they would with books and paper resources, and it helps them develop better learning through exploration and research.

Overall, integrating technology into the classroom helps prepare our students for the elaborate world they will face going forward, but there are also four specific benefits to using technology in the classroom: It can keep students focused for longer periods of time. The use of Students engaging in groups with iPads in the classroom. Photo by Matt Malone  computers to look up information/data is a tremendous time saver, especially when used to access a comprehensive resource like the Internet to conduct research. This time-saving aspect can keep students focused on a project much longer than they would with books and paper resources, and it helps them develop better learning through exploration and research.

Overall, integrating technology into the classroom helps prepare our students for the elaborate world they will face going forward, but there are also four specific benefits to using technology in the classroom: It can keep students focused for longer periods of time. The use of Students engaging in groups with iPads in the classroom. Photo by Matt Malone  computers to look up information/data is a tremendous time saver, especially when used to access a comprehensive resource like the Internet to conduct research. This time-saving aspect can keep students focused on a project much longer than they would with books and paper resources, and it helps them develop better learning through exploration and research.

Overall, integrating technology into the classroom helps prepare our students for the elaborate world they will face going forward, but there are also four specific benefits to using technology in the classroom: It can keep students focused for longer periods of time. The use of Students engaging in groups with iPads in the classroom. Photo by Matt Malone  computers to look up information/data is a tremendous time saver, especially when used to access a comprehensive resource like the Internet to conduct research. This time-saving aspect can keep students focused on a project much longer than they would with books and paper resources, and it helps them develop better learning through exploration and research.

Overall, integrating technology into the classroom helps prepare our students for the elaborate world they will face going forward, but there are also four specific benefits to using technology in the classroom: It can keep students focused for longer periods of time. The use of Students engaging in groups with iPads in the classroom. Photo by Matt Malone  computers to look up information/data is a tremendous time saver, especially when used to access a comprehensive resource like the Internet to conduct research. This time-saving aspect can keep students focused on a project much longer than they would with books and paper resources, and it helps them develop better learning through exploration and research.

It can keep students focused for longer periods of time. The use of Students engaging in groups with iPads in the classroom. Photo by Matt Malone  computers to look up information/data is a tremendous time saver, especially when used to access a comprehensive resource like the Internet to conduct research. This time-saving aspect can keep students focused on a project much longer than they would with books and paper resources, and it helps them develop better learning through exploration and research. It makes students more excited to learn. When technology is integrated into school lessons, learners are more likely to be interested in, focused on, and excited about the subjects they are studying. Subjects that might be monotonous for some – like math and science – can be much more engaging with virtual lessons, tutoring, and the streaming of educational videos. Check out our free lessons page! We just updated it with brand new content that we believe will be a tremendous benefit to you and your students. It enables students to learn at their own pace. With the integration of technology, students are able to get direct, individualized instruction from the computer. This form of supplemental teaching allows them to engage with the information at times that are most convenient for them and helps them become more self-directed in the learning process. It also gives the teacher more time to accomplish classroom objectives, while freeing them up to help the students who might be struggling with certain lessons. It prepares students for the future. By learning to use technology in the classroom, both teachers and students will develop skills essential for the 21st century. But more than that, students will learn the critical thinking and workplace skills they will need to be successful in their futures. Education is no longer just about learning and memorizing facts and figures; it’s about collaborating with others, solving complex problems, developing different forms of communication and leadership skills, and improving motivation and productivity.

prepare our students for the elaborate world they will face going forward

Education programs can be tailor made for each student.

School districts have been creative in finding ways to save money using the iPad. From digital textbooks, to tests and to homework, there’s the potential to save huge amounts of money through paperless innovation.

ts light weight and portability means it can easily be carried from class to class without having to close and reopen the screen. Data can be accessed while standing and notes can be taken on the go, thus extending learning far beyond the classroom.

Children are eager to embrace new technology and many are able to troubleshoot computer issues and resolve them quicker than adults.

make sure teachers and students are trained on the proper use and etiquette of the resources

understand how and why each piece of technology is

Teachers should

monitor student activities

Technical Skills

Accomplishment of More Complex Tasks

More Collaboration with Peers

Increased Use of Outside Resources

Improved Design Skills/Attention to Audience

When students are using technology as a tool or a support for communicating with others, they are in an active role rather than the passive role of recipient of information transmitted by a teacher, textbook, or broadcast. The student is actively making choices about how to generate, obtain, manipulate, or display information.

ys the role of facilitator, setting project

teachers note an increased frequency of students helping each other.

Another effect of technology cited by a great majority of teachers is an increased inclination on the part of students to work cooperatively and to provide peer tutoring.

The kids that don't necessarily star can become the stars. [with technology]. My favorite is this boy . . . who had major problems at home. He figured out a way to make music by getting the computer to play certain letters by certain powers and it changed the musical tone of the note and he actually wrote a piece. He stayed in every recess. . . . When I asked him what he was working on, he wouldn't tell me. Then he asked if he could put his HyperCard stack on my computer because it was hooked up to speakers. I said "sure" and at recess. . . he put it on my computer and played his music and literally stopped the room. And for months he had kids begging him at recess, every recess, to teach them how to make music. And for that particular kid it was the world because he really was not successful academically and was having lots of problems. . . . This really changed him for that school year. -Elementary school teacher

Kids like the immediate results

However, tool uses of technology are highly compatible with this new teacher role, since they stimulate so much active mental work on the part of students. Moreover, when the venue for work is technology, the teacher often finds him or herself joined by many peer coaches--students who are technology savvy and eager to share their knowledge with others.

A related technology effect stressed by many te

rs, it's a multitude of things, but they can do things on the computers that most of their parents can't do and that's very empowering and exciting for them. It's "I can sit down and make this machine pretty much do what I want to," and there's something about that that gives them an extra little boost of, "Wow, I'm a pretty special person." --Elementary school teacher

achers was enhancement of student self esteem. Both the increased competence they feel after mastering technology-based tasks and their awareness of the value placed upon technology within our culture, led to increases in students' (and often teachers') sense of self worth. I see more confidence in the kids here. . . . I think it's not just compute

his technology works with the s

tudents developing frontal cortex to better process the visual information the teachers are presenting

The use of interactive technology in particular, such as interactive whiteboards, can have concrete benefits

  The SmartBoard allows both students and instructors immediate feedback

At its core Smart Board technology is an interactive tool that allows students to truly be at the center of their own learning

A huge advantage of Smart Boards is the student’s ability to see their work displayed prominently in front of the classroom

While supplementing a students need for visual representations of instructional material, technology such as the Smart Board has the potential to inquire from students more detailed analysis of a particular subject. By allowing students to manipulate the Smart Board, students can be asked to directly participate in activities previously reserved only for the instructor

This particular study focused on elementary school classroom where 40 percent of students were classified as ESL

Some Smart Boards are embedded with a device called “Smart Network” that has spell check which allows students to engage in meaningful trial and error

students who were given access to the Smart Board technology over the course of the year displayed more pronounced improvements in grammar, than students who did not have the technology

Students with certain intellectual disabilities that historically have struggled in the classic classroom setting are allowed by the Smart Board technology to integrate their creative minds in a hands-on fashion, using the drag function to tangibly alter and refashion text and sentences

Furthermore, the researcher of this inquiry saw student vocabulary growth during the process as well.

During the teenage years, adolescent brains are transforming and Smart Boards can be used to bridge the gap between childhood and intellectual teenage creativity

Boards has the potential to dramatically increase overall student productivity and awareness of a particular learning segme

nt. The development of phonetic cognition is accelerated by interactive technology.

Technology has the potential to either bridge the educational achievement gap, or expand the academic inequality that we currently see permeating throughout our society.

“For example, apps like Educreation  in which teachers record lessons and allow students to play them back several times as necessary are great for learning,” said Rackley. “This feature also allows students to record themselves working through a problem enabling the teacher to play back the recording and observe students’ thought processes as they work through the lesson. For an educator, this is priceless because they may be able to alter the instruction to better support student learning,” she said. 

Outside the classroom, assistive technologies can increase the number of weekly instruction hours that a student receives from their teacher.

Another unique aspect of digital learning is that it can create a more inclusive learning environment. Just as there are diverse types of technology, there is diversity in users as well. For students with special needs, technology can enable them to be more independent and fit in with classroom learning and routines. Students with visual or hearing impairments can utilize voice-over for accessibility on Apple devices. Similarly, the VGo robot has assistive technology like text-to-talk, which may be helpful for homebound students who are verbally impaired.

he future of technology in education can be revolutionary and endless. With access to new technologies and services, students no longer need to frantically write answers to pop quizzes with pen and paper. Instead, they can submit answers using instant classroom response polls and complete quizzes that display answers in real time, with online software like polleverywhere.com

“The class is very important because it focuses on safe and appropriate use of technology integration strategies. We have found that although education students may be comfortable using technology in their every day lives, they are hesitant to integrate it into their teaching practice,” said Viruru. “Overall, the course provides an environment where future educators can experiment, ask questions and measure outcomes for future practice.”

For these students, access to technology and instruction can make a difference in their ability to keep up with assignments or withdrawing from school. 

Instead, they can submit answers using instant classroom response polls and complete quizzes that display answers in real time, with online software like polleverywhere.com.

“The class is very important because it focuses on safe and appropriate use of technology integration strategies. We have found that although education students may be comfortable using technology in their every day lives, they are hesitant to integrate it into their teaching practice,” said Viruru. “Overall, the course provides an environment where future educators can experiment, ask questions and measure outcomes for future practice.”

can submit answers using instant classroom response polls and complete qu

The main objective of the course is to prepare pre-service teachers to become technology-proficient educators.

Because technology is rapidly changing and affects student’s lives in and out of the classroom, it is important that the integration of technology be carefully implemented at a reasonable pace

education students who are exposed to technology before entering the classroom as professionals are better prepared.

education students who are exposed to technology before entering the classroom as professionals are better prepared.

Students in groups were instructed to use an app like Popplet to produce webgraphs from reading assignments covering the American Revolution. Later, they used the tablets for a science lesson on weather and terrain to collect and organize photos. In this example, the technology was easily adapted for use in varying formats across disciplines.

they used the tablets for a science lesson on weather and terrain to collect and organize photos.

While traditional forms of technology, such as projectors and interactive whiteboards are often standard classroom equipment, students who are unable to attend a traditional classroom can take advantage of new technologies from home. 

students who are unable to attend a traditional classroom can take advantage of new technologies from home. 

For these students, access to technology and instruction can make a difference in their ability to keep up with assignments or withdrawing from school. 

With all the new technology possibilities, there is still some debate among educators on the appropriate use of technology in the classroom and whether or not it creates an environment for inappropriate use.

The VGo is a computer-operated robot with a camera display that can be physically placed in the classroom for students that are homebound. With a Wi-Fi connection from home students can use computer keyboard arrows and webcam to manipulate the robot around the classroom. By having their face displayed on the VGo camera monitor students are able to have social interactions with classmates and virtually raise their hands to answer questions in class by signaling to the teacher with the VGo light. 

Technologies like the VGo offer a wide range of possibilities and benefits for all students

it becomes an extension of the student and classmates are still able to interact with them

For students with special needs, technology can enable them to be more independent and fit in with classroom learning and routines. Students with visual or hearing impairments can utilize voice-over for accessibility on Apple devices. Similarly, the VGo robot has assistive technology like text-to-talk, which may be helpful for homebound students who are verbally impaired.

Schools can also benefit from the use of new technologies during a major illness or outbreak, or to keep students on track during a suspension or long-term illness.

Yet most

New tech tools for visualizing and modeling, especially

relationship between teacher and studen

in the science

experiment and observe phenomenon and to view results in graphic ways that aid in understanding.

technology tools and a project-learning approach, students are more likely to stay engaged and on task, reducing behavioral problems in the classroom.

anges the way teachers teac

Technology also

nderstanding through multiple mean

schools lag far behind when it comes to integrating technology into classroom learning.

Through projects, students acquire and refine their analysis and problem-solving skills as they work individually and in teams to find, process, and synthesize information they've found online.

Another effect of technology cited by a great majority of teachers is an increased inclination on the part of students to work cooperatively and to provide peer tutoring. While many of the classrooms we observed assigned technology-based projects to small groups of students, as discussed above, there was al

so considerable tutoring going on around the use of technology itself.

Increased Use of Outside Resources Teachers from 10 out of 17 classrooms observed at length cited increased use of outside resources as a benefit of using technology. This effect was most obvious in classrooms that had incorporated telecommunications activities (see examples), but other classes used technologies such as satellite broadcasts, telefacsimiles, and the telephone to help bring in outside resources.

Increased Motivation and Self Esteem

Improved Design Skills/Attention to Audience

. It is possible for students to get so caught up in issues such as type font or audio clips that they pay less attention to the substantive content of their product.

It is critical to understand the implications of this definition to comprehend its effect on children with disabilities in our schools

t is important to understand that virtually all applications of technology -- tools for children to learn, as well as tools for teachers to provide learning opportunities -- can be defined as assistive technology.

are accommodating physical, sensory, or cognitive impairments in many ways.

SMART Boards are motivating students and teachers alike. The impact on student behaviour is also noticeable to teachers and can aid in reducing the stress in the work environment.

Also, teachers are sharing their class plans over the Internet. This lessens their need to recreate and reinvent and instead see what is working in other classrooms around the world.

Students learn in different ways

The iPad can provide visual, audio and tactile learning; reaching many students’ learning styles.

The iPad is often used as an individual tool in isolation

But please, don't put the child in a quiet place and just hand them an iPad without a true purpose. Let's get creative with its use. How to use an iPad in the classroom with a group? A couple of thoughts - Teacher directs, students watch.  Teacher directs, with iPad in the middle of the group and students touch with instruction.   Teacher instructs and iPad is passed between students. Use as part of your lesson, part of your center activity.   Teacher instructs and the students use, independently or in a team situation.    Team learning situations. Hand a group of students an iPad with a purpose. 

Most of us will not have enough for all our students for a while.

ideas

ideas

be careful to not have the iPad become what we have seen so many computers become in education: a glorified toy.

What are some of the benefits we are seeing? We are seeing that the iPad often encourages interactivity. Students will share a lot of what they're doing, ask each other "How did you do that?" or, "Oh, look what I did!"  They want to problem solve together. It encourages group discussions between the students. They tend to help each other a lot more.  It is affordable, comparatively speaking (see below.)  

For special education students, some are saying it is the best tool that has ever been designed. Here are a few reasons why we might prefer an iPad over a desktop computer: Ease of access – no need to be able to operate a mouse, a switch or to need to sit a certain way. The iPad can easily come to the student, be placed where they need it and the touch required is extremely friendly. (Not for all!! Remember, this is very individual.) Simplicity of programs – from very basic to more complex, many apps are design to be user friendly. For the moderate to severe population of students the amount of simple apps is huge, plus they are extremely inexpensive and visually draw students in. Simplicity of use - many who cannot understand how to operate a computer, can understand how to operate an iPad. (Even your grandmother!) Low cost of programs – compared to the cost of software programs for a computer, there really is no comparison (unless you consider the abundant amount of free programs available on the Internet. And yes, please continue using those!). There are apps designed specifically for our population (see other postings to right). Designing apps for education has become quite the market. The amount of apps designed specifically for special education has grown so much that there is now a category for it that stands alone in the iTunes Store. Assistive Technology and Communication Apps are available that help to make this a tool for access support, not just a tool for learning (i.e. audio books, word prediction, visual prompts, etc.) It can be loaded with many adaptive technology gadgets and programs, thereby reducing the need for multiple devices. Talk about UDL (Universal Design for Learning)! This is a tool that can level the playing field for many. There are apps that are inexpensive and exciting to increase vocabulary, sight words, math facts, reading comprehension, organizational skills, and drawing skills, just to name a few.It can be very educational and in the classroom, this is what we want: exciting, fresh, innovative teaching tools. Built-in accessibility tools such as zoom and high contrast display make this a tool to support visually impaired. The built-in VoiceOver screen reader works as well on the iPad as on the iPhone. For our VI population, the options are growing and growing. (However, it may be the iPhone that is the best solution for those with significant vision impairments.) Programs such as Dragon Dictation is free, no paper and pencil needed if one can speak clearly, for writing text messages, e-mail, maybe documents. (Must have Internet/WiFi connection for this to work however and it is not the best option for longer texts.) The brilliant screen of the iPad which creates and supports visual interest - with the ever improving HD colors which are bright and the HD video and/or camera- tools at our fingertips that can be pulled into our educational artillery in so many new and innovative ways.  The right case can make it much less indestructible. More and more tools are being developed to help with access. (Mounts, switch access, adaptive styluses, etc.) Light weight (iPad = 1.5 lbs.) Instant Response/Instant On/Fast Processor. Consider this: Combine the touch screen, ease of use, and cool factor of the iPad and you have a pretty interesting format for communication device

AT is intended to enhance performance of an individual with a disability.  It is why we have to carefully match what we recommend to the user's strengths and needs.  The iPad cannot do that on its own, it is the recommendation of the appropriate Apps that ultimately improve the performance of a student.  Thus, the iPad itself is not the Assistive Technology it is the Settings and the Apps, the case, the special stylus, that offer enhanced performance. Improving performance of a student with a disability through AT (Apps or otherwise) means looking at the student, identifying the task that needs to be performed and identifying where the student will use the AT - i.e. the environment, effects of time etc

This is a list of iPad pros, from a student’s point of view (wish I knew the student’s name so I could reference her. My apologies!):

iPads with Moderate to Severe Students:

Videos worth watching:

Articles worth reviewing:

Now go out and make this tool a wonderful addition to our educational world!