Best Practices in Technology Integration

Team Target Professional Development

Goals Overview of the best practices in the effective integration of

technology to improve student achievement New strategies and tools to implement in the classroom

Topics Overview of Effective Technology Integration The 21st Century Classroom Technology to address Learning Styles

Conditions required for effective technology integration:

1. Changing teacher beliefs about teaching and learning

2. Sufficient and accessible equipment3. Placement: classroom vs. labs4. Long-term planning5. Technical and instructional support6. Technology integrated within the curricular

framework

Pedagogical Philosophy & Technology Integration

Technology reform is closely tied to teachers’ beliefs and pedagogical practices

Research has shown positive outcomes on student achievement when technology is integrated into constructivist learning environments

Authentic Pedagogy = instruction focused on active learning in real-world contexts

Technology is “relevant” to our student. Our classrooms should be relevant as well.

Project-based Learning

Student-centered learning Moves learners from novices to experts Encourages students to explore a variety of

problems and to construct strategies for handling such problems

Encourages students to negotiate and share solutions

PBL & Technology

Technologies can: replicate vocational practices (i.e. work of scientists) reduce cognitive load through tools and scaffolding provide access to electronic databases provide access to expert knowledge provide tools for analyzing, manipulating, and

presenting findings increase engagement and motivation

Effective Technology Integration

Session #2: The 21st Century Classroom

Why is it important to use technology for learning in the classroom?

BIG Ideas

View technology as another tool/resource Focus on productivity/open-ended tools Be creative! It takes extra time to learn the skills… but in the

process of learning the skills, students can apply knowledge.

How does effective technology integration change the entire context of

learning?

Management Best Practices

Have students use technology in small groups

Encourage peer teaching 2 students per computer encourages

collaboration, sharing and teamwork Establish a “Tech Team” of trouble-shooters Have back-up activities planned

Application Ideas

Word Processing

Editing skills – track changes Writing – collaborative writing Brainstorming, organizing – webs, concept maps Analyzing skills – charts, tables

Application Ideas

Presentation Software (SMART Board, PPT etc.)

Younger Students Identifying shapes and patterns as well as building

motor skills – Image slideshows

Older Students (Grades 3+) Sequencing, change over time – linear and non-

linear timelines Summarizing & identifying main idea – slideshows Combining text, audio, and visuals -- slideshows

Application Ideas

Publishing Software

Younger Students Reflection & writing skills - Use the templates

to create appreciation cards

Older Students Research, writing, editing, & design skills - In

groups, have students create a historical newspaper.

Application Ideas

Mind Mapping Software Comparing & contrasting skills – use visuals, audio,

and text to communicate Organizing ideas and information – concept

mapping Outlining – transfer from web to outline form For many more application ideas visit

http://isbelementary.wikispaces.com/

Tips for getting Started

Use open-ended tools Develop lessons the same way, look for new

tools Collaborate with colleagues Start small Share, share, share

Effective Technology Integration

Technology to Address Learning Styles

How do you currently foster multiple intelligences in your classroom?

Which intelligences could you better represent in your classroom?

Have your students ever conducted a MI assessment?

Questions to Spark Thinking

MI & Technology Tools

Verbal / linguistic

Logical / mathematical

Visual / spatial

Word processing, blogs, Publisher, PowerPoint

Spreadsheets, Graph Club, Zoombinis

PowerPoint, KidPix, Kidspiration, Inspiration, word processing, virtual manipulatives, iMovie or Pinnacle (digital storytelling)

MI & Technology Musical / rhythmic

Kinesthetic

Intrapersonal

Interpersonal

Kidspiration, Thinkin’ Things, Garage Band

Keyboarding*Better without tech

Blogs, simulations, telecollaborative projects

E-mail, discussion forums, IM, telecollaborative projects

MI & Technology Tools

Naturalist

Existential

Virtual fieldtrips, live web casts, database application, visual mapping

telecollaborative learning, simulations

MI Lesson Design Template

1. Identify Desired Outcomes2. Define Acceptable Evidence

Performance tasks / Projects Tools / Methods Intelligences To do… Quizzes / Tests/ Academic Prompts

3. Plan Learning Experiences & Instruction4. Reflect on lesson design

Reflection…

How do the technologies used accommodate the intelligences identified?

How do the intelligences identified improve student mastery of the objectives?

Are there other intelligences that could be included in this lesson?

How do you determine if a software application is worthy of use in your

classroom?

Which software program do you use that successfully fosters MI?

How to evaluate a Software Program

DESIGN Is it interactive? Does the design provide for a variety of

intelligences? Is there scaffolding to support students? Are there ways to extend the learning experience

from the software to the classroom? Is there a built-in assessment feature?

How to evaluate a Skill-based Application

CONTENT Do the software’s objectives go beyond the lower

levels of Bloom’s taxonomy? Is the objective concerned with skill, drill, and recall; or

are students challenged to transfer knowledge? Is the content multi-disciplinary?

Real-world context? Does the content lend itself to the perspective of

several different intelligences? Is it primarily a linear, logical application; or can visual

and existential learners appreciate the content?

How to evaluate a Skill-based Application

INTERFACE Are there visual, auditory, kinesthetic components

to the software? Do the metaphors used to explain software

functions address varied intelligences? Are there only icons and buttons, or are other familiar

contexts used, such as storybooks, playgrounds, families?

Is navigation throughout the software global and open ended rather than linear and skill based? Do students have choices?

21st Century Collaboration

Redefining the learning process

How are you currently using the Internet for learning in the

classroom?

What is 21st century collaborative learning?

Collaborative, problem-based learning

framed within a real-world context utilizing

21st century tools.

Examples of these tools:

(Blogs, wikis, Voip, Instant Messaging, Social Networks, RSS, Podcasts, skypecasts etc.)

Educational Value for Students

Extends learning environment beyond geographic boundaries

Expands the reach of student influence into the community

Allows students to use technology as a tool to communicate, build knowledge, and develop products

Value for Teachers

Effective application of curriculum defining the use of technology

Makes student thinking visible Access to expanded resources Increased engagement of students

Qualitative Study of Focus

Teachers who participated in global collaborative projects engaged in “authentic professional development” while also providing better learning experiences for their students.

Specific Findings

Benefits for Teachers: Observing students as they go through the inquiry

process Learning how to assist and guide students More aware of connections to other teachers and

administrators More aware of others in their communities as

valuable information sources More aware of the broad community of learners

around the globe

Specific Findings

Benefits for Students: Connecting with subject matter experts. New

sources of knowledge. Increased engagement and motivation Peer teaching Increased communication skills Connection to real-world

Theoretical Framework

Grounded in the cognitive and situated learning theories

Fosters additional intelligences to accommodate a variety of learners

What does 21st Century Collaborative learning look like?

Includes wide range of educational content Involves critical thinking skills Connects students with experts and other students Provides clear organization and scaffolds

Where is it happening?…………..

Let’s look and an example…….

Questions?

Thoughts?

Ideas?