Interactive Whiteboards (SMART Boards)
The interactive whiteboard is a large interactive display that connects to a computer and projector. A projector projects the computer's desktop onto the board's surface where users control the computer using a pen, finger or some other device. Smart boards are a very popular and useful tool for integrating technology into the classroom. There are over 900 lesson activities for SMART boards on the following website http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/home.jsp
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)
The following is a great article on some practical ways for student teachers to use PDA's. Among many things; PDA's allow teachers to share information, grade papers, lesson plan, write observations and record attendance and grades
http://www.edutopia.org/valuable-technology-tool-student-teachers
The following is a great article on some practical ways for student teachers to use PDA's. Among many things; PDA's allow teachers to share information, grade papers, lesson plan, write observations and record attendance and grades
http://www.edutopia.org/valuable-technology-tool-student-teachers
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Hyperstudio Software:
Hyperstudio was designed specifically for education purposes. This software allows students to create multimedia presentations where they are forced to use critical thinking skills, planning and collaborative teamwork. The software provides text, audio and video capabilities that allow the user to create pictures, animation and sounds along with the text. This tool can work as an altertative to PowerPoint as many students are likely bored with this "old" method of using technology. The following website provides more information as well as resources for purchasing the software http://www.mackiev.com/hyperstudio/
Hyperstudio was designed specifically for education purposes. This software allows students to create multimedia presentations where they are forced to use critical thinking skills, planning and collaborative teamwork. The software provides text, audio and video capabilities that allow the user to create pictures, animation and sounds along with the text. This tool can work as an altertative to PowerPoint as many students are likely bored with this "old" method of using technology. The following website provides more information as well as resources for purchasing the software http://www.mackiev.com/hyperstudio/
Class Blogs:
Using a class blog is a great way for students to record class notes, insights and selected essays. More importantly, it gives students a global audience. Students are motivated by the fact that their work will reach outside the confines of the classroom. In addition blogs allow teachers to share information with parents and other teachers. The following article is a great resource for ways to use a blog in the classroom http://edublogs.org/10-ways-to-use-your-edublog-to-teach/
Using a class blog is a great way for students to record class notes, insights and selected essays. More importantly, it gives students a global audience. Students are motivated by the fact that their work will reach outside the confines of the classroom. In addition blogs allow teachers to share information with parents and other teachers. The following article is a great resource for ways to use a blog in the classroom http://edublogs.org/10-ways-to-use-your-edublog-to-teach/
The Kindle:
Using the Kindle in the classroom provides teachers with instant access to thousands of books. They can also be used to allow teachers and students to keep up with current events. Looking towards the future, the Kindle could provide an alternative to the expensive and frustrating process of buying books for the entire school. The following article shows how using the kindle in schools can be effective in saving money, freeing funds for use in other areas
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/chris-dannen/techwatch/argument-kindles-schools
Using the Kindle in the classroom provides teachers with instant access to thousands of books. They can also be used to allow teachers and students to keep up with current events. Looking towards the future, the Kindle could provide an alternative to the expensive and frustrating process of buying books for the entire school. The following article shows how using the kindle in schools can be effective in saving money, freeing funds for use in other areas
http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/chris-dannen/techwatch/argument-kindles-schools
Cognitive Mapping Software:
Cognitive mapping software can be used to allow students to create and build graphic organizers such as concept maps, webs, mind maps and idea maps. These organizers engage students and allow them to outline and present their ideas through visual learning. A great resource for cognitive mapping software is Inspiration software. Their website provides some good examples of how cognitive mapping software can be utilized in the classroom for any subject or grade.
Webquests:
Webquests are a great way to bring the resources of the internet into classroom teaching. The following link is a tutorial that introduces teachers to webquests and their benefits
www.webquest.org/index-create.php
Webquests are a great way to bring the resources of the internet into classroom teaching. The following link is a tutorial that introduces teachers to webquests and their benefits
www.webquest.org/index-create.php
Flip Video Camcorders:
Using the flip video camcorders, students can create original videos or record themselves performing skits or giving presentations, then critique their work. This is a fantastic resource to get students involved using technology to create.....The following video is an example of students using a flip video camcorder
Using the flip video camcorders, students can create original videos or record themselves performing skits or giving presentations, then critique their work. This is a fantastic resource to get students involved using technology to create.....The following video is an example of students using a flip video camcorder
Instructional Technology
It is not only my belief but it is a fact that the use of technology in our public schools is lacking. The New Vision for teaching and learning in American schools aims to change the way we educate our youth and looks to integrate new ideas intended to reach all students and prepare them for the future. One way in which we can change the old ways of doing things in American schools is to improve the use of instructional technology. Technology influences nearly every part of our lives, especially children growing up in the 21st century. Thus it is extremely important that we educators begin to implement technology into nearly everything we do in the classroom. How do we do this? .......... According to http://www.edutopia.org/, integrating technology into the classroom requires more than teaching basic computer and software skills in a seperate computer class. Instead it requires instructional technology implemented across the curriculum in ways that enhance the learning experience for all children. In particular it must support four key components of learning: group participation, active engagement, frequent interaction and access to real-world experts. In the following posts we'll look at some strategies to use instructional technology in the classroom....
The following article gives some insight into using technology in the classroom to reach the 21-st century digital learner http://www.edutopia.org/ikid-digital-learner-technology-2008
The following article gives some insight into using technology in the classroom to reach the 21-st century digital learner http://www.edutopia.org/ikid-digital-learner-technology-2008
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