Technology Integration: What I've Learned

11 Weeks of Technology Integration!

     A person can accomplish a lot in just 11 weeks. In the past 11 weeks, I have learned the true meaning of effective technology integration. I learned that technology integration is not simply using your classroom projector in class, but weaving technological tools into daily curriculum to enhance and personalize instruction for each student. I have explored and played with many Web 2.0 tools and learned how each tool can be applied to classroom instruction. As a result, my confidence in my ability to integrate technology has grown immensely.

     One of the most important aspects of technology integration I have learned is how to provide equal access to the digital world. I really liked reading the article "Let's Be Digital Multipliers: Eliminating the Digital Divide is Something Educators Can Do" by Mark Prensky (2009). In this article, the author discusses how educators should not strive to provide equal technology for each student, because this will really never happen. Instead, educators should provide enough technology for each student. Today's digital natives have been born and raised in a completely digital world, and educators need to teach them how to use technology so they will be ready to use it in the workplace (Schrum & Levin, 2009). Prensky identifies a "digital multiplier" as a person who can find creative solutions that bring every student, no matter their income level, into the digital world. All of today's students need technology in their lives. It is now the teacher's job to become a digital multiplier and integrate it as much as possible.

     Aside from providing students with future workforce skills, technology also helps to differentiate instruction. Technology aids in developing a curriculum which accommodates the Universal Design for Learning plan (UDL). UDL encourages a classroom practice that is more focused on student-centered learning than teacher-centered learning (Module nine, n.d.). To accommodate UDL, teachers can provide assistive technologies (such as speech-to-text software and communication buttons) to students with disabilities. Web 2.0 tools, such as Pearson Mathematical Laboratory, can track student assignments and progress while individualizing instruction. Websites like Animoto, VoiceThread, Google tools, and social media websites encourage active participation and provide teachers with ways to turn otherwise normal assignments into more engaging projects. WebQuests can be created on google to engage learners in a more interactive, inquiry-based format. Blogs are effective learning tools as well because they allow students the opportunity to reflect on their progress and comment on the progress of their peers. Blogs can be used for news, reviews, personal thoughts/experiences, and photos (Module three, n.d.). Desktop software such as Microsoft word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation softwares can also asset students in engaging in more thoughtful tasks.

     This course has given me both the tools necessary to integrate technology into my classroom as well as the knowledge to do so effectively! I enjoyed learning about the growing, ever-changing world of technology, and can't wait to learn more about it!

Resources:

Module 3: Technology and web 2.0 foundations (PDF format). Retrieved from Lectrue notes online https://bb.snhu.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-1829881-dt-content-rid-3484154_1/courses/EDU-533-14TW2-MASTER/EDU-533-14TW2-MASTER_ImportedContent_20131105031341/EDU-533-13TW1-MASTER_ImportedContent_20130724114756/EDU-533-13TW4-MASTER_ImportedContent_20130514030819/EDU_533_ModuleThree_Lecture.pdf

Module 9: Universal Design in K-12 (PDF format). Retrieved from Lectrue notes online https://bb.snhu.edu/bbcswebdav/courses/EDU-533-14TW2-MASTER/EDU-533-14TW2-MASTER_ImportedContent_20131105031341/EDU-533-13TW1-MASTER_ImportedContent_20130724114756/EDU-533-13TW4-MASTER_ImportedContent_20130514030819/EDU_533_ModuleNine_Lecture.pdf

Prensky, M. (2009, Jan-Feb). Let's be "digital multipliers": Eliminating the digital divide is something educators can do. Educational Technology, Retrieved from http://www.marcprensky.com/writing/Prensky-Lets_Be_Digital_Multipliers-ET-01-09.pdf

Schrum, L. & Levin, B. (2009). Leading 21st century schools. Thousand Oaks: Corwin.

Equal Access to the Digital World!

Equal Access to the Digital World!

     We are fortunate to be living in a time where teachers can promote equal learning of all students through the use of technology. In my opinion, the term "equal access to the digital world" implies that all students have a more equal access to a successful education through the digital world. There is a wide variety of tools available to assist students with disabilities in communication and learning.

     The video found by clicking here explains many assistive technologies for students who need help communicating. Some of the tools mentioned are: 

• We sign- sign language used by all students in class; Helps students benefit from visual cues
• Partner four- Made up of 4 blocks students touch to communicate
• Seven-level communicator- Helps students re-tell stories
• Story has velco with pictures to take on and off
• The communicator has a screen with word-maker pictures from story
• Students touch picture and go through whole story
• Step-by-step communicator- allows students to engage in conversations by pushing a button that has been programmed with an answer to a question the teacher asks
• Has a limitless range!
• Teacher can send home questions about students'  day at school, students press button and "tell about day at school!"
• Parent can also program answers so teacher can have conversations with the student
• Big-mac switch- Handles one message
• For teaching language skills and cause effect
• Good for people with low arm-mobility (Weibellk, 2008). 

These assistive technologies help students communicate their wants, gives them choices for activities, and gives control and power to be in charge of their education and help them feel like they're communicating. Assistive technologies help students have a more equal access  to education.

It is important that teachers promote learning for all students. There are many laws put in place which protect individuals with learning disabilities, which can be found in detail by clicking here. For example:

• IDEA is the main federal program which authorizes state and local aid for special education children
• ADAAA (Americans with Disabilities and Ammendments Act) & Section 504 of the rehabilitation act help improve access to accommodations for students with learning disabilities
• ESEA (Elementary & Secondary Education Act) / NCLB  (No Child Left Behind) challenges states and districts to improve student academic achievement (National Center for Learning Disabilities, 2014). 

These laws are put into place to assure that students receive equal opportunities to succeed. Assistive technologies are available to help students with disabilities in achieving equal access to the digital world!


References:

Weibellk. (Performer). (2008, March 07). Assistive technology [Web Video]. Retrieved from http://videos.disabled-world.com/video/29/assistive-technology-in-the-classroom

National Center for Learning Disabilities. (2014). Federal laws & learning disabilities- ncld. Retrieved from http://www.ncld.org/disability-advocacy/learn-ld-laws?gclid=COq_kov5j70CFa1j7AodHhIAVA

Educational Value of Social Media

Why Are We Using Social Media?

Before I answer that question, let's talk a little bit about what social media is. It can be described as "networked tools that support and encourage individuals to learn together while retaining individual control." What does that mean? In a sense, it means that learning can be enhanced by creating, manipulating, and sharing content online. Social media also allows us to communicate, exchange opinions, and connect with each other.

But are we using it in the classroom?

There is a lot of research out there to prove that social media can improve students' thinking and learning. If you want to learn more about it, I recommend reading "Homework on Social Media: Benefits and Outcomes of Facebook as a Pedagogic Tool" located by clicking here. This article discusses the benefits of using Facebook for homework.

Some of the greatest benefits of using social media, according to Taecharungroj (2013) are that it:

• Is easy to use
• Communicating through social media is easy and convenient 
• Encourages constructive thinking
• Connects students to the variety of media available on the Internet. For example, YouTube hosts a variety of blogs, websites, and news outlets that connect learners with the most current information
• Students can exercise creativity by creating images, audio, and videos online, and gain a sense of pride and fulfillment by sharing them through social media.
• Promotes collaboration and collaborative learning
• Improves social bond
• Web 2.0 services and social media allow students the opportunity to interact with others, help them, and facilitate group projects.
• Students have a community of peers that fosters a feeling of membership and connection
• The enriched sense of community encourages students' motivation to study because they feel like they belong.

Here is a link to our classroom Twitter account: 

Sprouts Twitter

We will be using our twitter to post updates about our WebQuests. Students will have access to the account and will be encouraged to tweet about recent findings, accomplishments, or questions. I will also use the account to provide students with additional research materials and tools, as well as to remind them of deadlines and due dates. Our Twitter will be easy to use, promote collaboration and collaborative learning, and help to encourage students in the completion of their WebQuests. 

If you have any questions or concerns on the integration of social media, please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Sincerely,

Miss Devine

PS- If this is your first time engaging in social media and want to learn more, here is a little cheat sheet  ;-)

Resources:

Taecharungroj, V. (2013). Homework on social media: Benefits and outcomes as a pedagogic tool.International

Journal of e-Education, e-Business, e-Management, and e-Learning, 3(3), Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.snhu.edu/pqcentral/docview/1440453686/fulltextPDF/351BB33EE14943E6PQ/7?accountid=3783

Introduction to WebQuest!

Drumroll please….

     I am so excited to introduce to you the start of our next science unit: biomes! 

     Hold on a second. What's a biome again?

     A biome is large naturally occurring community of animals and plants occupying a major habitat. We'll be studying the relationships in a biome's ecosystem and learning how plants and animals depend on each other.
     

     If that makes no sense, don't worry. You'll learn more soon. 

     We will be discovering new information in a way we never have before. Any guesses on how we might be doing that? If you guessed it involved the Internet, you are right! Students will be facilitating their own learning (that's right- no listening to your teachers talk!) in their search for information about the biome of their choice! 

     How will they do this?

     Students will soon become active participants in a newly designed WebQuest. This WebQuest (titled Building a Biome) was designed by Miss Devine, specifically for our third and fourth grade classroom's unit of study. A WebQuest is a way for students to discover their own knowledge (based on the resources provided by Miss Devine). Students will work in groups to complete their WebQuests. Each student will be assigned one of the following researcher roles: biologist, botanist, climatologist, or fact finder. After they have conducted their research, students will embark upon a series of tasks. Groups will work together to complete the specific tasks, which are described in detail on the WebQuest page. The culminating project will be a presentation that is given to the class about why their biome is the best one! Also, since we are an arts-integration school, we will of course be creating artwork. Students will design a poster advertising their biome to be hung in our classroom! 
    There is so much to learn, and fortunately, the Internet has so much to teach us! Get ready to step outside your comfort zone/ home into a new land- a WebQuest journey into the land of biomes!

     Click here to view our Building a Biome Webquest.

Biome Voyage,

Miss Devine

Students only: Please post your answer in a comment below!

     Have you ever considered moving to a different environment? If you could live anywhere in the world, what kind of environment would you want to live in? Why? (Hint: think about the climate (weather), animal, and plant life you might like to be around!)

Educational Value of Animoto

Animoto is Fun!

Today students made their own Animoto videos based on the biome they are researching.

Animoto is a fun website that allows you to upload your own pictures and turn them into a video! Here's how to make one:

1. Go to www.animoto.com
2. Click "Create"
3. Choose the background you like
4. Upload pictures
5. Caption the pictures with short descriptions 
6. Choose music for the background
7. Add text if you prefer
8. Hit "Preview video" to see your presentation!

After we made our Animotos, we shared them with the entire class using our Smart board and projector. This was a great way for our class to learn about all the biomes without having to research them all individually!

Animoto helped us summarize some key points from our research. We were able to search for pictures which helped us portray our main ideas in a creative, inciting way. I was able to see how much students really knew about their biome by the pictures they chose. Students did not realize I was assessing their knowledge! :)

Here is a link to an Animoto created on the tropical rain forest. Please share your thoughts on the video and your own experience with using Animoto with us!

Tropical Rainforest

The Educational Value of Wordle

One of the topics we will be studying this year in science is biomes. A great activity to help us practice the many vocabulary words included in this unit is Wordle. Wordle is a website which allows you to create "word clouds" out of any words you choose. The bright colors, fun fonts, and different sizes help students remember the vocabulary terms in the unit. Visualizing terms is very helpful when learning new material.

Wordle can be used in many different ways. It can be educational or you can just make one for fun! As a teacher, I am always looking for new and exciting ways to reinforce vocabulary words. Our class is very excited to being making our own word clouds in the classroom!

Click here to make your own! 

Here is the Wordle on Biomes that I created:

Check back again soon for new updates on our trips!