Technology in Education: Technology in Education: What WorksWhat Works

March 9, 2009 PTC Mtg.

Colleen Ites, St. Theresa School

cites@sainttheresaiowa.org

The RationaleThe Rationale• Under age 15 = digital natives / over age 15 = digital

immigrants– Digital natives directly apply new technologies learned; digital

immigrants adapt new technologies to previous technologies, then absorb (ex. adults see PowerPoints as notecards; students simply see them as PowerPoints.)

– Digital natives expect multiple applications when using technology; current Stanford study discerning if cognitive brain mapping adapted for this

• Technology use keeps students actively engaged and offers opportunities for extended ownership of work

• Teachers (as digital immigrants) must be willing to show students learning processes using applications and become co-teachers with students; teacher’s role becomes guide and not informational expert

• Streamline process of information acquisition; help students determine the most effective way(s) to learn based on learning style and strengths, how to work collaboratively, and how to determine authenticity of information found on the Web.

The ProcessThe Process

• Researching what has worked for others: ISTE, CITE, professional education sites

• Choose most appropriate technology based on content area covered

• Select what will work with your specific group of students; be intensely aware of class dynamics

• Take baby steps; try out new applications before implementing, use as a differentiation tool, or develop for small group work

Examples - LanguageExamples - Language

• Grammar PowerPoints hosted on-line, also containing interactive links while used

• GrammarGirl Quick & Dirty Tips• NCTE worksheet hosted on-line; students use

as a guide to creating character free writes• SpellingCity.com• Interactive literature skills games / units

available on-line – UK’s info all on-line; good resource

• Wikispaces.com: classroom wiki containing student-group created pages, mail piece, & discussion boards

Examples - ScienceExamples - Science

• Gizmo’s: tactile representation of scientific concepts (explorelearning.com)

• TV channel sites: interactive games and activities about various concepts– Discovery– Weather Channel– Science Channel– PBS kids

• iTunesU: lectures & experiments hosted in MP3 & MP4 formats; most downloads free

• TeacherTube / SchoolTube: YouTube-type application specifically for schools; experiments & student-created videos for explaining scientific processes

Examples – Social StudiesExamples – Social Studies

• United Streaming• AEA’s research site• National Geographic site• GoogleEarth apps: integrating Google

Earth into presentation or on-line worksheets; database of other teachers’ units as resources

• All news organization sites (CNN, ABC, NBC, PBSkids, FoxNews)

• National Archives site

Examples - MathExamples - Math

• Gizmo’s: teaches abstract issues with tactile manipulatives (explorelearning.com)

• iTunesUiTunesU: free downloads explaining processes, often with videos (mp4)

• TeacherTube / SchoolTube: excellent SmartBoard lessons to choose from, often explaining abstract concepts

• Internet4classrooms.comInternet4classrooms.com: collection of excellent lessons, including SmartBoard

• Scratch: programming language taught to students through program construction; forces students to learn problem-solving and collaboration skills (scratch.mit.edu)

Examples - othersExamples - others

• Faith Formation:– GodTube, usccb.org, EWTN’s site

• Spanish:– SchoolTube, Univision’s site, PBSkids

• PE:– GoogleEarth (taking the “Mile” clubs further)

• Music: – iTunesU, AEA research site, digital writing programs

• Art:– UnitedStreaming, virtual museum tours, use of digital

apps (freeware similar to photoshop)

Collaborative learning - allCollaborative learning - all

• GoogleDocsGoogleDocs is an excellent way for students to transfer information between home and school

• Uses applications like “pared down” Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

• Works well as a collaborative tool for group projects too

• Each individual ads those who can see their docs; no “group” ads; individuals can be removed at any time

• Only set-up is sign-up for account

Further informationFurther information

• For further information on Scratch and the language arts apps, feel free to visit my hosting page on slideshows at slideshare.net/cmites

• Other sites to review:– Digital natives / digital immigrants– Rationale supporting technology in schools– Ms. Ites’ blogspots