Unit 2: Identifying Useful Technology
Target Objective
Learners will be able to identify useful tools to implement in order to teach using various types of technology within their lessons to increase student scores on assessments.
Unit Objectives
-Identify purpose of using technology in the classroomm
-Identify several tools that can be used in the class
-Identify benefits of each of the introduced tools
Return to Teaching Using Technology
Why Use Technology?
Teaching with technology can allow educators to reach a variety of learning styles, incorporate and model technology use and prepare students for the future. Teachers are the ones that are responsible for preparing them to be successful. In this ever changing world it is imperative that teachers are incorporating various technologies in the classroom. There are a wide variety of learning styles within a class and the use of technology can allow teachers to reach many different styles. A teacher that is able to use a variety of styles in his or her lessons is able to connect with a variety of cognitive levels. Today schools that have the availability to allow teachers to incorporate technology within the class are better able to reach a variety of learners. There are many types of technologies that exist; whether it is a basic computer, cell phone, or more advanced Smart Boards or Promethean Boards, teachers that are fortunate enough to have these resources can make learning more relevant to today’s student.
Teaching must meet the needs of the students and demands of the world. Over the past several decades, teachers have made changes in their curriculum which improve student literacy in technology while using higher level thinking. These learning skills are called 21st century learning skills. Such skills include “thinking critically, applying knowledge to new situations, analyzing information, comprehending new ideas, communicating, collaborating, solving problems, making decisions” (Can Sahin, p. 1464). Teachers who use these skills in their class are preparing students to be relevant to the changing world. Students that are accustomed to and comfortable using these skills will be ready for jobs that will demand the use of various technologies as well as collaboration among peers. As these expectations of the 21st century student change, educators must change and incorporate these changes in their classes.
Read the following File:Teachingtechnology.pdf and consider the following questions as you read.
This article discusses the usefulness of using technology in a science classroom while working on a bacterial transformation lab. The students are learning two different lessons; one on technology, which happens to be the hidden lesson-one where it is not the focus, and the other is the focus of the lesson being bacterial transformation. The author makes an argument for the use of technology and the impact an astounding tool on student motivation and eventual learning. She also gives the reader many different tools that can be used in the classroom.
1) Why does the author argue for the use of technology in the classroom?
2) What impact does the teachers awareness of technology play in the use of technology?
3) What tools do you see yourself using in your class based on the authors suggestions?
Examples of Technology Tools
Powerpoint
Wiki
Podcasts
These are just examples of some of the tools that teachers today are using. Take a few minutes to do a simple search using the Internet (which is yet another tool that teachers can use in the class to help enhance teaching) and read about these tools.
Reflection
Think about the following questions are you are researching these tools.
1) Do I already use this tool?
2) What do I already know about this tool?
3) Would I use this tool in my classroom if I don't already?
4) What are some benefits for each of these tools? (List these in a T Chart to help make this more organized like this one)
Return to Teaching Using Technology