Technology in the classroom can
enhance classroom experiences and enhance instruction. In our daily
lives, we constantly are surrounded and supported by technology. We
have all grown accustomed to using and relying on technology. As an
educator, it is intuitive to integrate technology into the classroom
in order to motive students and support instructional practices.
Students learn best through instructional practices that are fun and challenging. For example, activities increase student comprehension and enhance the learning process. Technology supports active engagement, project based work, and cooperative learning. Instructional software or games can provided active engagement that students enjoy. For example, computer software like Study Island, can actively engage students in mathematics problems with video games involving math. Such a tool can increase motivation and self-esteem with math.
Technology strengthens group and project based work. On-line research can be collaborative. Students are developing technical skills and collaborating with their peers. Students can share information readily, and then develop a group presentation or report with various forms of technology, like Powerpoint, Google doc, videos, Photo story.
Students learn best through instructional practices that are fun and challenging. For example, activities increase student comprehension and enhance the learning process. Technology supports active engagement, project based work, and cooperative learning. Instructional software or games can provided active engagement that students enjoy. For example, computer software like Study Island, can actively engage students in mathematics problems with video games involving math. Such a tool can increase motivation and self-esteem with math.
Technology strengthens group and project based work. On-line research can be collaborative. Students are developing technical skills and collaborating with their peers. Students can share information readily, and then develop a group presentation or report with various forms of technology, like Powerpoint, Google doc, videos, Photo story.
Technology provides frequent interaction and feedback. Computer
presentations can be animated to solicit student responses or problem
solving. Clicker systems like iClicker or even cell phones can
be used with classroom response system software to answer questions
posed by their teacher. This gives the teacher instant feedback.
Technology can also connect students with real world experts. Educational
videos & podcasts are accessible formats to introduce students to real
world situations and real world experts in the field. Vodcasts from
websites like Khan Academy, Learning 4 Mastery and Bozeman Science are all
forms of technology that can support struggling students and give them the
extra video of content. Students can pause and re-watch the videos as
much as they need to. The students are now in control of the rate
in which the content is taught.
Technology in the classroom actively engages students
are creates a leaner-centered classroom. Technology also enables
teachers to teach in different ways. With differentiation, more
students can be reached. Each student is unique and may learn
through different means. Using a variety of technology applications
during instruction will create many different sensory experiences; therefore, a
larger audience can be reached. For diverse learners, teachers will need
technology and should promote its use.
Love the comic!
ReplyDeleteSo which of the methods you mentioned do you use most often in your classroom?
I teach Honors Biology (which is a MCAS class) and Honors Chemistry. I tend to use Powerpoint slides often since I deliver so much content. I also use my Wikipage as a reference for students. On my class pages, I attach hyperlinks to relevant Bozeman Science biology videos and Khan Academy chemistry videos. Sometimes if the video lessons are really good, I will play them in class. I don't have a Smartboard, but I do have a projector. I will also post my powerpoints and review materials on my wiki. I put vocabulary on Quizlet.com for each course and usually generate a Wordle for each chapter's vocabulary---I like to think of it as inspiration! For my chemistry powerpoints, I often make them animated with problems to solve, thus requiring student to work on them in class. I bought big dry erase boards from Home Depot and had them cut into 12"X24" pieces. I have the students work on the problems during the powerpoint presentation. Without having a clicker system, I use the animated powerpoints and white boards to have interactive problem solving sessions. I also am able to quickly scan the white boards to see how the students are progressing. Often students will hold up the white boards to show me their work.
ReplyDeleteI have played videos and podcasts for the class. With courses that are heavy in content, I feel the use of technology allows instructors to efficiently present material. Breaking up lectures with animated slides/white board activities, podcasts, or videos is essential to keeping students engaged and excited about science. I hope after this course, I will learn many new tools to employ during my lessons.