What do you think might be important technology to use/have in a classroom?

When trying to determine what kind of technology would be the most useful in the classroom there are several questions to ask. Is the technology being added into the classroom for that sole purpose? To have technology in the classroom and give the impression that the classroom is ‘with it’ or is the technology being added to the classroom to assist with teaching and increase desire and ability to learn? With this in mind it would be pointless to put advanced technology into classrooms if the teachers do not know how to use it affectively. They do not necessarily need to be experts but it is important that they know enough so that the technology is being used optimally and not being wasted.  

Another important question to ask is about accessibility. What can the school realistically afford to add and maintain in its classrooms? It costs money to repair, replace and run many of the current technologies. What technology do students have access to from home? Do all the students have computers and internet at home so that they can access information at home? Do they already have iPods, and cell phones that they could just bring into class?

After these questions have been answered, I believe that it is important to look at what grade levels. Different forms of technology will be better suited for different ages. Perhaps interactive white boards (IWB) would be better used in the primary and junior grades because they are already more inclined to be up, walking around and moving. The primary grades are also more inclined to kinesthetic learning. Laptops and iPads might be more useful in the intermediate, senior grades when students are writing papers and reading textbooks.

There are many different perspectives and things to look at when asking the question, what is the most important kind of technology to have in the classroom? The following blog had some interesting perspectives.

 http://goo.gl/wR2d0  

Standards and Conditions in Technology for Learning

Today, technology has developed in a way that most people could never have imagined. Youth are living in the technological world and have never known any different while older individuals are forced to try and keep up with it. However, it seems that the older generations have a sense of discernment that Generation X might be lacking.

To help students and teachers the International Society for Teachers in Education has developed five standards and performance indicators. A detailed explanation of each of the standards and performance indicators can be found at: http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/nets-t-standards.pdf?sfvrsn=2.  Each of them are interesting and important however, I will focus on the first one for this entry. Technology provides a new way for people to illustrate their own creativity.  How can teachers facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity through technology? Teachers can demonstrate and encourage students to use technology to show their own unique ways of thinking and inventing. They can help students grapple with life problems and world issues from research and other Web 2.0 technologies. Teachers can encourage student reflection by helping them develop their thinking and understanding of issues. Finally teachers can encourage creativity through technology by teaching their students how to communicate and share ideas responsibly. Technology can help develop creativity in students who may not fall into the studies that are traditionally considered creative such as art and music.

ISTE also has fourteen essential conditions for teachers: http://www.iste.org/docs/pdfs/netsessentialconditions.pdf?sfvrsn=2. Two that I find particularly interesting are ongoing professional learning and student-centered learning. As I mentioned before for those of us who remember a time before the internet and not having a computer in our house it takes effort to stay up to date with technology. Teachers need to continue learning about technology, how they can use it to teach more effectively and how they can teach their students to use it responsibly. During my placement in a SK/ Grade 1 class I saw the benefits of using technology for student centered learning. Students could work on independent reading online at home and the teacher is able to see what the students are reading, how they are doing, and how frequently they are using the program. This program is called Raz- Kids and a great resource to add to your classroom. Class Dojo is an app that was also beneficial to this classroom to help with behavior. There are so many fantastic resources out there that, when used effectively can be very helpful in the classroom.

Introduction

An introduction to myself:
I am in my 5^th year at Redeemer University Collage and my first year in the education program. For my BA I double majored in Physical Education and Psychology. I have known that I want to be a teacher since I was in grade six. I am very passionate about finding ways to present material so that all different kinds of learners may understand.   

Areas of interest in education:
I am interested in special education, health and physical education, and problem based learning in education.  

A little bit about why you are taking digital technology for learning:
I want to learn about new ways that I can use technology to improve student’s learning.

Why you think educators should use tech in education

·         I believe that educators should use technology in their classrooms because it can help them make connections with other teachers. Community learning and sharing can help teachers think more creatively while also providing them with good resources so they do not have to “recreate the wheel” so to speak.

·         Technology can also provide teachers with different methods of teaching which can cater to students’ different learning styles.

·         When teachers use technology in education it also teaches students how to use technology in the appropriately.

A couple interesting articles that I found:

·         Using Contemporary Technology Tools to Improve the Effectiveness of Teacher Educators in Special Education by Chris O’Brien, Nancy J. Aguinaga, Rebecca Hines, and Richard Hartshorne

http://ehis.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=8fc5af58-3c82-4378-98aa-79785dfc9665%40sessionmgr110&vid=5&hid=102

·         Creating Student-Centered Learning Experience through the Assistance of High-End Technology in Physical Education: A Case Study by in Wang, Deborah L. Myers, and Martha J. Yanes

http://ehis.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=8fc5af58-3c82-4378-98aa-79785dfc9665%40sessionmgr110&vid=7&hid=102