Integrating Technology in the Classroom
Integrating Technology in the ClassroomMoira HallinanCIS
1055-005
Hi Im Moira Hallinan, a Secondary Mathematics Education Major,
so I thought it would be a good idea to discuss integrating
Technology into the classroom.1Todays IssueTodays youth grew up in
a high speed world
They multitask constantly and expect to pick on things
quickly
They prefer interaction and creating over reading
Spend more time on TV or videogames than on reading
Increasingly more tech savvy as age decreases
In todays society people are growing up into a world of
technology. Studies call these generations digital natives and
digital immigrants. In this era our youth.
Expect everything to be high speed.Downloading multiple items,
on multiple different programs on the computer, visiting and using
multiple websites sometimes all at once.
Multitask and expect to pick up on things quickly.No more
reading directions, more use to trial and error click and undo,
exploring and discovering things on their own. Asking google for
help rather than calling or reading up on things.
Interaction over reading.Because teens multitask and do so much
at home it is hard for them to sit still and focus on one thing,
which is often what sitting down and reading requires. Many rather
watch a video about how it works or listen while doing other things
at the same time.
Time spent on technology over reading.The average college
student spends about 6 times more hours on technology than reading.
A graph from a study bye Marc Prensky is on the next slide.
More technology as they get younger.Because technology is only
advancing the younger students are the more likely they are going
to be exposed to new and improved technology
2According to Marc Prensky, from his article Digital Natives,
Digital Minds,As seen on the graph by the time a student reaches
college he/she on average would have spent a small fraction of time
on reading than on videogames or television. Because this was done
in 2001 this does not yet include Hulu, which my now nine year old
cousin introduced me to when he was about seven.3
Do We Conform or Do We Keep Tradition?Traditional
teachingLecturingTextbooksWritten workBORING!!!!
In traditional teaching the Teacher is usually the figure that
knows all and tells it to the class and the textbook is pretty much
like a Bible. The class revolves usually around lecture or a
textbook, and the homework, quizzes, projects are usually all
written work. This is extremely boring (CLICK HERE) and does not
relate to how students now learn about things at all. So why do we
still do it?4
Students should use the technology they use at home in the
classroom as well
Students would be more engaged and motivated to learn if they
use the same type of technology they use at home or even better
technology that they find new and cool. *CLICK* If students have
iPods at home they should use them in school *CLICK*. *CLICK* The
same applies for laptops, although schools should have computers in
them for student use anyway and should encourage computer use in
class *CLICK*, *CLICK* and if you cannot get rid of cell phones in
the classroom, then why not use those as well *CLICK*.5iPod in the
classroomMany people own an iPod, and iPods dont have to only be
used for entertainment.PodcastsEducational SongsUSB
iPods arent only for listening to music, students could download
lectures missed, or make their own notes in a podcast with
Garageband software as well as other podcasts for mock interviews,
storytelling, or mock radioshows. Students could also use
Garageband to make songs for example the Ron Clark Academy uses
hits such as Umbrella by Rihanna, and You Can Have Whatever You
Like by TI to and switch the lyrics to make educational songs about
voting, math, or any other subject. Also most iPods can hold photos
and documents so they could also be used as a USB.6LaptopsLearning
how to use computers is essential in todays society. Why not start
early.ResearchExcelPowerPointWebsite publishingMovie editingDesktop
publishingScavenger Hunts
In lecture we talked about programs that have tried to implement
every student owning a laptop. Knowing how to use computers or
laptops is essential in todays society. In most situations written
work is not even excepted in colleges anymore and typewriters are
not only outdated but not efficient when editing. Not only are
laptops good for word processing but Powerpoint, Excel, or Movie or
picture editing. When connected to the internet they are great to
use for research, website creating, and scavenger hunts. A
scavenger hunt is generally used as a way to get students to do
online research by giving them links and having them find the
answer to certain questions on the webpages.7Web 2.0 toolsHaving
projects where students use certain web 2.0 tools is a fun and
interactive way for students to do projects online.
PBWorks
Jottit
Zoho Show
Voice Thread
Diggio
These tools allow for movie making and publishing, website
creating, slide show creating, and note taking online. Here are a
list of only a few of the many Web 2.0 tools used out there.*CLICK*
PBWorksStudents can create their own webpages that can be linked to
a class website. They can add links, embed videos, add pictures,
and make projects. What they publish can be monitored by the
teacher and kept secure by the teacher as well.*CLICK*
JottitAnother website creation but more for blogging and jotting
small blurbs of information. Students can write their reaction to
something and publish it or embed a video that have created.
Teachers can use it to post helpful video and links for the class
or post announcements and homework.*CLICK* Zoho ShowZoho Show is a
lot like PowerPoint but students can add things from different
computers as long as the slideshow is set to be shared by them.
Students can also instant message eachother while working on the
show or viewing the show. Teachers can also make sure they are
added so they can asses progress and the final show.*CLICK* Voice
ThreadVoice Thread is more like a movie. Students could videotape
something, make a slideshow and record their voices to it, or have
both on at the same time. They can doodle on the show to emphasize
points and the teacher can doodle on the show and make voice
comments to certain spots directly when the teacher assesses
it.*CLICK* DiggioIn diggio, one could highlight parts of a website
and make comments on it. This could be good to make sure students
read a website and did research. They can highlight answers to
question or make virtual post it notes with answers to the
questions on them.8Cell PhonesStudents generally have cell phones
anyway in school so why not use them?Pop quizPollFastest answer
gameResearchScience/Math
Although cell phones are usually banned from school, they could
also be used as a teaching tool. There are websites that can
collect text information to make a poll or a collection of
information that could be used as a pop quiz or poll from the
class. This works similarly to texting your vote on American Idol,
Americas Next Best Dance Crew, Dancing With the Stars, or any of
those types of shows. With Smart Phones, students can research
items on the internet through their phone. If those options seem
bad then teachers can always incorporate the physical cellphone
itself into a science or math type of lesson.9ConclusionWhy are we
so set on tradition? If we have the new technology and students are
using it at home, why not make the classroom more entertaining? The
more engaged students are in what they are learning, the more they
get out of it. We have the technology so lets use it!
Why are we so set on tradition? *CLICK* Tradition is outdated
and boring, there are more efficient ways of learning. *CLICK* If
we have the new technology and students are using it at home, why
not make the classroom more entertaining? *ClLICK* The more engaged
students are in what they are learning, the more they get out of
it. If we want student to enjoy school, we have to relate what they
are learning to things they like. The easiest way to do that is
with help from technology. We have the technology so lets use
it!
10ReferencesBjerede, Marie. "O'Rielly Radar." Cell Phones In the
Classroom. O'Rielley Media Inc, 04 MAR 2010. Web. 15 Nov 2010.
.
Hu, Winnie. "New York Times: Education." In Some Schools, iPods
are Required Listening. New York Times, 09 OCT 2007. Web. 15 Nov
2010. .
Prensky, Mark. "Digital Natives, Digital Immigrants." On the
Horizon. 9.5 (2001): Print.
Scott, Paul. "Webreference." Web 2.0 Tools. Internet.com, 22
SEPT 2010. Web. 15 Nov 2010. .
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