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Email Article To From Note Privacy & Terms How to Help Teachers Use Technology in the Classroom The 5J Approach By Mary Burns / September 2010 Print Email Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on more var addthis_config = {"data_track_clickback":true}; Comments (2) Instapaper (function() { var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0], rdb = document.createElement('script'); rdb.type = 'text/javascript'; rdb.async = true; rdb.src = document.location.protocol + '//www.readability.com/embed.js'; s.parentNode.insertBefore(rdb, s); })(); Recent reports (from The Chronicle of Higher Education and Walden University [PDF], for example) point to teachers' continuing difficulties integrating technology into classroom learning. Despite access to technology and despite the fact that novice teachers are entering the classroom with far more advanced technology skills than their counterparts of an earlier age, only 39 percent of teachers report "moderate" or "frequent" use of technology as an instructional tool (Grunwald Associates, 2010).

“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.

Improve lectures Enhance the curriculum Provide visualization in a variety of formats Increase flexibility of presentations Share resources Enable demonstrations of complex concepts

Students watch less television  Improve problem-solving and critical thinking skills  Improve their writing and math skills  Improve their computer skills

more challenged more engaged more independent

As an instructional tool, technology helps all students--including poor students and students with disabilities--master basic and advanced skills required for the world of work.  As an assessment tool, technology yields meaningful information, on demand, about students' progress and accomplishments and provides a medium for its storage.  As a motivational tool, technology positively impacts student attitudes toward learning, self-confidence, and self-esteem.   

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!

Connect your computer  to an averkey or a projector for whole class instruction

Use the Sesame Street site to practice letters

AppleWorks to create posters advertising books, character trading cards, group summaries, book cubes, student made tests

Allow groups to work on projects during literacy circles, guided reading, etc.

Play Kids Games for alphabet fun

bookmark online resource tools (or put them on your website for easy access)

Make graphs from data using AppleWorks spreadsheet

track live information

or ELL stude

nts learning technology, it is especially important to focus on effective teaching strategies that are commonly used in other content areas, such as academic language development and meaningful interaction with the content.

Computer tutorials should be organized by tasks: the things most students want to do with the program.

For each task, concise, step-by-step instructions should be provided.

Each step should be illustrated with a computer screen shot that shows exactly what to do. The bigger the illustration, the better.

At the end of each important task, stand-alone exercises should be included to give students an opportunity to practice the tasks. Including multiple exercises will ensure that students who work quickly will remain occupied.

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.

“Publish” your students’ work.

Perfect Ed Tech Activities for Beginners

Do a PowerPoint “Game Show Review”

Have students complete a written classroom activity as if it was online.

Try a Webquest

Good Ed Tech Activities for All Skill Levels

Create a class blog or wiki.

Create a class webpage.

Use an online grading system.

Do an email exchange.

Give multimedia presentations – or have your students give them.

Supplement your lessons.

Advanced Ed Tech Activities

Use technology as a topic for a writing assignment.

Listen to – or create – a Podcast.

Publish” your students’ work.

Publish” your students’ work.

Publish” your students’ work.

“Publish” your students’ work.

“Publish” your students’ work.

A class webpage can be anything from a basic site where you post announcements (think “online bulletin board”) to a much more elaborate one that includes class photos, a class blog, downloadable materials, and your own domain name. For those of you just starting out, try Scholastic’s free Home Page Builder (http://teacher.scholastic.com/homepagebuilder/). Those of you with a little more experience may enjoy Webs.com (http://www.webs.com/), which offers both free and premium service packages.

Ever have your students write a diary from the perspective of a character or famous person? Why not have them create a blog instead? Take a look at various blog sites (Blogger and WordPress are two of the most popular) and create a template for your students to fill in. Want students to summarize information? Ask them to tweet the lesson – that is, have them write summaries of 140 characters or less, as if they were writing on Twitter. Or create a template for a web page and ask students to use it to design a webpage about the content they are studying. While these activities don’t actually use technology, they familiarize you – and your students – with the Web 2.0 world, which can be a great first step.

Ever have your students write a diary from the perspective of a character or famous person? Why not have them create a blog instead? Take a look at various blog sites (Blogger and WordPress are two of the most popular) and create a template for your students to fill in. Want students to summarize information? Ask them to tweet the lesson – that is, have them write summaries of 140 characters or less, as if they were writing on Twitter. Or create a template for a web page and ask students to use it to design a webpage about the content they are studying. While these activities don’t actually use technology, they familiarize you – and your students – with the Web 2.0 world, which can be a great first step.

Ever have your students write a diary from the perspective of a character or famous person? Why not have them create a blog instead? Take a look at various blog sites (Blogger and WordPress are two of the most popular) and create a template for your students to fill in. Want students to summarize information? Ask them to tweet the lesson – that is, have them write summaries of 140 characters or less, as if they were writing on Twitter. Or create a template for a web page and ask students to use it to design a webpage about the content they are studying. While these activities don’t actually use technology, they familiarize you – and your students – with the Web 2.0 world, which can be a great first step.

Ever have your students write a diary from the perspective of a character or famous person? Why not have them create a blog instead? Take a look at various blog sites (Blogger and WordPress are two of the most popular) and create a template for your students to fill in. Want students to summarize information? Ask them to tweet the lesson – that is, have them write summaries of 140 characters or less, as if they were writing on Twitter. Or create a template for a web page and ask students to use it to design a webpage about the content they are studying. While these activities don’t actually use technology, they familiarize you – and your students – with the Web 2.0 world, which can be a great first step.

Ever have your students write a diary from the perspective of a character or famous person? Why not have them create a blog instead? Take a look at various blog sites (Blogger and WordPress are two of the most popular) and create a template for your students to fill in. Want students to summarize information? Ask them to tweet the lesson – that is, have them write summaries of 140 characters or less, as if they were writing on Twitter. Or create a template for a web page and ask students to use it to design a webpage about the content they are studying. While these activities don’t actually use technology, they familiarize you – and your students – with the Web 2.0 world, which can be a great first step.

Do a PowerPoint “Game Show Review”

 Have students complete a written classroom activity as if it was online.

Try a Webquest

Use technology as a topic for a writing assignment

Create a class webpage

Use an online grading system

Do an email exchange

Give multimedia presentations – or have your students give them

Supplement your lessons

Create a class blog or wiki

Listen to – or create – a Podcast.

“Publish” your students’ work

try to find a technology “mentor” on campus – the computer teacher or just another teacher who uses technology more than you do. It helps to know there’s someone who can guide you and help you incorporate technology in the classroom if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

They must search the Internet to determine what artifacts belong in their museum and explain their choices.

 Create a class webpage

A class webpage can be anything from a basic site where you post announcements (think “online bulletin board”) to a much more elaborate one that includes class photos, a class blog, downloadable materials, and your own domain name

Use an online grading system

You can also email students and parents directly to allow them to view their updated grades. Never worry again about bringing home your gradebook – you can access it from any computer.  

Give multimedia presentations – or have your students give them

Liven up a traditional lecture by using a PowerPoint presentation that incorporates photographs, diagrams, sound effects, music, or video clips

Supplement your lessons

Many museums now offer online “virtual tours” and teachers are constantly developing new presentations and webquests, which are posted online. Add these in to keep your lessons fresh.

Create a class blog or wiki

isten to – or create – a Podcast.

Search for ones that meet your students’ needs.

For the really ambitious, have students create their own podcasts to document their progress through the year or discuss their ideas on a variety of issues pertaining to the course.

“Publish” your students’ work Tools exist today to allow your students to create really professional looking work using a desktop computer. Have students create a short film, run an ongoing class website that features student work and opinions, or – if they’re really ambitious – raise the money to have their work professionally published by a self-publishing company like iUniverse or Lulu. No matter what your skill level, integrating technology in the classroom offers the chance to increase student interest and teach valuable professional skills – and have some fun!

Do a PowerPoint “Game Show Review”

PowerPoin

Game Show Review

Check out this template or search “powerpoint game show template” online

A fun way to practice using a projector and get your students to review important material!

 Have students complete a written classroom activity as if it was online.

Ask them to tweet the lesson – that is, have them write summaries of 140 characters or less, as if they were writing on Twitter. Or create a template for a web page and ask students to use it to design a webpage about the content they are studying.

Try a Webquest

Use technology as a topic for a writing assignment

 Create a class webpage

. For those of you just starting out, try Scholastic’s free Home Page Builder (http://teacher.scholastic.com/homepagebuilder/). Those of you with a little more experience may enjoy Webs.com (http://www.webs.com/),

se an online grading system

(http://www.mygradebook.com)

Do an email exchange

ave your students exchange emails with students in another school, city, state, or country – especially valuable if both sets of students are studying the same material

Give multimedia presentations – or have your students give them

a PowerPoint presentation that incorporates photographs, diagrams, sound effects, music, or video clips.

Supplement your lessons

A quick Internet search may help you identify ways to supplement your lessons with interesting new material

reate a class blog or wiki

ome teachers use blogs to drive outside-of-class discussion – particularly helpful for AP/IB students who are

motivated but short on class time. A wiki is a website that uses software which allows many different people t

o edit it (think Wikipedia)

 Listen to – or create – a Podcast.

Publish” your students’ work

Do a PowerPoint “Game Show Review” Many tech-savvy teachers have used Microsoft PowerPoint to create review games based on famous game shows, including “Jeopardy!,” “The Weakest Link,” and “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” These templates are available online for teachers to download and revise, including their own content. Check out this template or search “powerpoint game show template” online. A fun way to practice using a projector and get your students to review important material!

Many tech-savvy teachers have used Microsoft PowerPoint

12 Easy Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom, Even for Technophobic Teachers