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10 Reasons Today’s Students NEED Technology in the Classroom

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10 Reasons Today’s Students NEED Technology in the Classroom

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10 Reasons Today's Students NEED Technology in the Classroom

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With an increasing emphasis on personalized learning and mobility, using technology in the classroom is a must for schools today. Here are 10 reasons why.

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When students are using technology as a tool or a support for communicating with others, they are in an active role rather than the passive role of recipient of information transmitted by a teacher, textbook, or broadcast. The student is actively making choices about how to generate, obtain, manipulate, or display information. Technology use allows many more students to be actively thinking about information, making choices, and executing skills than is typical in teacher-led lessons. Moreover, when technology is used as a tool to support students in performing authentic tasks, the students are in the position of defining their goals, making design decisions, and evaluating their progress.

The teacher's role changes as well. The teacher is no longer the center of attention as the dispenser of information, but rather plays the role of facilitator, setting project goals and providing guidelines and resources, moving from student to student or group to group, providing suggestions and support for student activity. As students work on their technology-supported products, the teacher rotates through the room, looking over shoulders, asking about the reasons for various design choices, and suggesting resources that might be used. ( See example of teacher as coach.)

Project-based work (such as the City Building Project and the Student-Run Manufacturing Company) and cooperative learning approaches prompt this change in roles, whether technology is used or not. However, tool uses of technology are highly compatible with this new teacher role, since they stimulate so much active mental work on the part of students. Moreover, when the venue for work is technology, the teacher often finds him or herself joined by many peer coaches--students who are technology savvy and eager to share their knowledge with others.

The most common--and in fact, nearly universal--teacher-reported effect on students was an increase in motivation. Teachers and students are sometimes surprised at the level of technology-based accomplishment displayed by students who have shown much less initiative or facility with more conventional academic tasks:

The kids that don't necessarily star can become the stars. [with technology]. My favorite is this boy . . . who had major problems at home. He figured out a way to make music by getting the computer to play certain letters by certain powers and it changed the musical tone of the note and he actually wrote a piece. He stayed in every recess. . . . When I asked him what he was working on, he wouldn't tell me. Then he asked if he could put his HyperCard stack on my computer because it was hooked up to speakers. I said "sure" and at recess. . . he put it on my computer and played his music and literally stopped the room. And for months he had kids begging him at recess, every recess, to teach them how to make music. And for that particular kid it was the world because he really was not successful academically and was having lots of problems. . . . This really changed him for that school year. -Elementary school teacher

Teachers talked about motivation from a number of different perspectives. Some mentioned motivation with respect to working in a specific subject area, for example, a greater willingness to write or to work on computational skills. Others spoke in terms of more general motivational effects--student satisfaction with the immediate feedback provided by the computer and the sense of accomplishment and power gained in working with technology:

In many of these classes, students choose to work on their technology-based projects during recess or lunch periods. Teachers also frequently cite technology's motivational advantages in providing a venue in which a wider range of students can excel. Compared to conventional classrooms with their stress on verbal knowledge and multiple-choice test performance, technology provides a very different set of challenges and different ways in which students can demonstrate what they understand (e.g., by programming a simulation to demonstrate a concept rather than trying to explain it verbally).

A related technology effect stressed by many teachers was enhancement of student self esteem. Both the increased competence they feel after mastering technology-based tasks and their awareness of the value placed upon technology within our culture, led to increases in students' (and often teachers') sense of self worth.

Students clearly take pride in being able to use the same computer-based tools employed by professionals. As one teacher expressed it, "Students gain a sense of empowerment from learning to control the computer and to use it in ways they associate with the real world." Technology is valued within our culture. It is something that costs money and that bestows the power to add value. By giving students technology tools, we are implicitly giving weight to their school activities. Students are very sensitive to this message that they, and their work, are important.

T echnical S kills

Students, even at the elementary school level, are able to acquire an impressive level of skill with a broad range of computer software (see examples). Although the specific software tools in use will likely change before these students enter the world of work, the students acquire a basic understanding of how various classes of computer tools behave and a confidence about being able to learn to use new tools that will support their learning of new software applications.

Teachers for the observed classes and activities at the case study sites were nearly unanimous also in reporting that students were able to handle more complex assignments and do more with higher-order skills (see examples) because of the supports and capabilities provided by technology.

M ore C ollaboration with P eers

Another effect of technology cited by a great majority of teachers is an increased inclination on the part of students to work cooperatively and to provide peer tutoring. While many of the classrooms we observed assigned technology-based projects to small groups of students, as discussed above, there was also considerable tutoring going on around the use of technology itself. Collaboration is fostered for obvious reasons when students are assigned to work in pairs or small groups for work at a limited number of computers. But even when each student has a computer, teachers note an increased frequency of students helping each other. Technology-based tasks involve many subtasks (e.g., creating a button for a HyperCard stacks or making columns with word processing software), leading to situations where students need help and find their neighbor a convenient source of assistance. Students who have mastered specific computer skills generally derive pride and enjoyment from helping others.

In addition, the public display and greater legibility of student work creates an invitation to comment. Students often look over each others' shoulders, commenting on each others' work, offering assistance, and discussing what they are doing.

Students' ability to collaborate on substantive content can be further enhanced through the use of software applications specifically designed for this purpose. Students in several classes at one of our case study sites used a research package called CSILE (Computer Supported Intentional Learning Environment), for building a communal database and exchanging comments about each others' ideas.

One of our teacher informants made the point that the technology invites peer coaching and that once established, this habit carries over into other classroom activities:

Though the use of technology often promoted collaboration and cooperation among students at these case study sites, there were still concerns about appropriate student conduct. Many schools implement acceptable use policies, especially if they offer students access to the Internet. (See examples of Sharenet's formal technology use agreement or other acceptable use policies.)

Teachers from 10 out of 17 classrooms observed at length cited increased use of outside resources as a benefit of using technology. This effect was most obvious in classrooms that had incorporated telecommunications activities (see examples), but other classes used technologies such as satellite broadcasts, telefacsimiles, and the telephone to help bring in outside resources.

I mproved D esign S kills/ A ttention to A udience

Experiences in developing the kinds of rich, multimedia products that can be produced with technology, particularly when the design is done collaboratively so that students experience their peers' reactions to their presentations, appear to support a greater awareness of audience needs and perspectives. Multiple media give students choices about how best to convey a given idea (e.g., through text, video, animation). In part because they have the capability to produce more professional-looking products and the tools to manipulate the way information is presented, students in many technology-using classes are reportedly spending more time on design and audience presentation issues.

While most teachers were positive about the design consciousness that technology fosters, a potential downside was also noted by a few teachers. It is possible for students to get so caught up in issues such as type font or audio clips that they pay less attention to the substantive content of their product. We observed one computer lab within which several students with a research paper assignment spent the entire period coloring and editing the computer graphics for the covers of their as-yet-unwritten reports, pixel by pixel. Teachers are developing strategies to make sure that students do not get distracted by some of the more enticing but less substantive features of technology, for example, by limiting the number of fonts and font sizes available to their students.

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technology; student attitudes; student motivation; school reform; educational technology; case studies; studies of education reform program

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Effects of Technology on Classrooms and Students

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When students are using technology as a tool or a support for communicating with others, they are in an active role rather than the passive role of recipient of information transmitted by a teacher, textbook, or broadcast. The student is actively making choices about how to generate, obtain, manipulate, or display information.

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10 Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology in Education

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10 Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology in Education

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The modern classroom has taken several steps forward in its evolution of the learning environment in the past 25 years. Many of the benefits that we have seen in this setting are due to the introduction of new technology options for students. Instead of having a single computer for a class to use or a laboratory environment for the entire school placed in one room, we can now help students learn at their table or desk with items issued to them directly.

Our development of the Internet since 1989 has helped us to include more technological access to information in the modern classroom as well. If you grew up as an 80's kid, then you had the A/V cart come into your class to watch educational videos and maybe have a snack. Now students get to play interactive learning games, compete against other students, and have their educational statistics tracked in real-time data to know where their point of focus should be.

Introducing technology to students in a classroom setting can certainly help the educational environment, but it also requires equal access for all students to ensure that everyone receives the same opportunities to success. That is why each school district, teacher, and parent should periodically review the advantages and disadvantages of technology in education settings.

List of the Advantages of Technology in Education

1. Technology helps children to stay motivated during the learning process.
Most students don't like to go to school if they feel like they are wasting their time. When there is technology allowed in the classroom, then teachers have an opportunity to let kids work at a pace which suits them the best without disturbing others. They can look up additional information about a subject they are learning about that day, play educational games that reinforce the lesson, or work on advanced material using a program like Zearn.

Because many of today's technology options allow students to see how well they are doing compared to the average of all users, it gives them a chance to push harder for themselves and their education. Many of the programs that encourage learning also issue rewards or award certificates, which helps to make the lessons fun as well.

2. It encourages more communication between teachers and parents.
When there is technology in the classroom, then there are more opportunities for parents and teachers to connect with each other. Using a blog for the classroom can help parents get to see what their children are learning each day. Apps and software options allow teachers to instantly report on a child's behavior to let parents know in real-time what is happening throughout the day. There are options for chat boxes, instant messaging, and other forms of communication as well.

Let's not forget about email here either. Since the 1990s when this technology option came into the classroom, it created more reliability in messaging between teachers and parents should there be a need to talk.

3. Technology options in the classroom are very affordable.
Although the cost of having technology in the classroom can be significant if you are introducing new options to an entire district, the cost of student computers, tablets, and class essentials is minimal. Most student computers cost less than $200 each, and there are several grants available on local, state, and national levels that help to offset these costs to local taxpayers.

"The Internet is the first technology since the printing press which could lower the cost of a great education and, in doing so, make the cost-benefit analysis much easier for most students," said John Katzman. "It could allow American schools to serve twice as many students as they do now, and in ways that are both effective and cost-effective."

4. It creates new ways to learn for today's student.
There are three critical forms of intelligence that we see in children today: emotional, creative, and instructional. The traditional classroom environment, which typically encourages lecture-based lessons, focuses more on the latter option. Standardized tests and similar ranking tools do the same. When kids have access to technology today, then those who excel outside of the standard learning setup can still achieve their full potential.

Technology allows children to embrace their curiosity in multiple ways. They can try new things without embarrassment because their tech access gives them a level of anonymity. This process allows kids to work, through trial-and error if they wish, to see if a different strategy helps them to learn more effectively.

5. Technology allows us to give students access to data from a single location.
Do you remember when a research project meant a visit to the library so that you could pull 4-5 books to read, have access to an encyclopedia, and even microfilm to view so that you had enough resources to finish your assignment? Technology allows a student to access every item they need for a project from a central resource. Instead of spending all of that time searching for something specific or waiting for your library to order it, you can run a few queries on Google and find what you need.

6. It gives us better access to behavioral data on students.
The various apps, software choices, and technological platforms collect data on students that can show attendance patterns, learning issues in specific subjects, and how they react in particular situations. This information leads to the creation of a profile where teachers, schools, and parents can work together to identify places where additional learning may be necessary. Technology can even help a school district find their highly capable students to keep pushing them toward more challenging work so that they remain engaged with the learning environment.

7. Technology helps to prepare students for their future world.
Even if there are warnings from medical providers about the amount of screen time that students receive in their classroom environment, the reality of the modern educational system is that we must have technology exposure now to prepare our children for the world they will face as adults. This sector will continue to evolve. If they are not prepared to use these items today, then tomorrow could be a struggle for them.

That means some traditional subjects might not be as important to teach for some schools or teachers. Is it more important to have a student learn how to write in cursive or know how to type without using the two-finger chicken-pecking method? Is coding more of a critical skill than learning how to cook? Should kids know how to put a chair together in woodshop or have the ability to put together their own computer?

These are the questions we need to be asking when looking at the advantages and disadvantages of technology in the classroom.

8. The introduction of technology allows for the teaching of needed vocational skills.
Although there are regions of extreme poverty and isolation which do not have Internet access in the United States right now, over 90% of Americans have a home connection to online resources. By introducing technology to students from an early age, we can teach them the critical vocational skills that are necessary for success in a digital world. That is why writing continues to be a top priority in the K-4 grades, formatting guidelines and software use after, and knowing how to research efficiently is approached as an essential skill.

9. Technology in the classroom encourages collaboration.
Students retain very little of the information they receive when a teacher lectures from a textbook. When there are interactive lessons on a chalkboard or whiteboard, kids can remember about 20% of what they were taught. If a teacher encourages a small group discussion, that percentage can quadruple.

Technology gives us an easy way to develop collaboration skills for students using online tools that encourage them to work together in safe ways. If kids can then practice what they were taught immediately, there is very little that they will forget.

10. It encourages students to stay engaged with their learning environment.
Kids get bored very easily when they feel like they already know what is being taught in their classroom. Some children will transform into mentors or leaders in this situation to help their fellow students, but there are many more who disengage because they lack stimulation. By introducing technology to the classroom, there are fewer places where repetitive learning must take place. Teachers can introduce new subjects, try new techniques, or use different projects to encourage ongoing learning, which creates more overall engagement.

11. Teachers have more credibility when they use technology in the classroom.
Teachers are sometimes hesitant to use technology in the classroom because they are unsure of what a student might have at home. Giving homework assignments that require computer access to a student without that technology at home would be a waste of time. There can also be pushback from parents who are uncomfortable giving their kids additional screen time for learning. When you can introduce these elements to the classroom and have children learn there, then you can overcome the socioeconomic barriers that are sometimes in place for low-income families.

List of the Disadvantages of Technology in Education

1. The presence of technology can be distracting to students.
When kids play video games, they can find themselves reacting with addiction-like behaviors. Their focus is on the entertainment they receive more than anything else. If the educational environment uses reward-based games to encourage learning, then the child might be more concerned with what they receive through the software or app instead of what they are learning.

Although correct answers can be an indication of knowledge, there might not be as much information retention as hoped. Teachers must set and enforce healthy boundaries when using technology in the classroom to ensure healthy results are possible.

2. Technology can make it easier to cheat.
Remember the TV shows and movies where kids would break into a teacher's classroom, steal the answer key to a test, and then write down everything on their wrist, shoe, or a slip of paper? Now a student can send themselves a text with that information. They can send that data to anyone else with a phone. Email can relay this info too. There must also be strict rules in place about the use of technology during quizzes or tests when an exact measurement of student knowledge is needed to evaluate their overall progress.

3. Using tech can cause some students to disconnect from the classroom.
Interacting online with others is a different experience than when you collaborate over the Internet with someone. Being behind a screen provides you with a layer of anonymity that you don't receive with a face-to-face conversation. Learning how to work with one another using technology is an essential skill, but it cannot be the other option that teachers introduce to their classroom. We must encourage social interactions that accurately communicate thoughts, feelings, or emotions so that when a child is offline, they can still make a better life for themselves.

4. Some students may not know the difference between reliable and unreliable resources.
There is a lot of information on the Internet today that is fake or exaggerated in some way, but it masquerades as being real. According to research published by New York Magazine, less than 60% of web traffic today is actually human-based searches or content interaction. Up to half of the traffic on YouTube each year are bots that masquerade as people. Not only is the content sometimes fake, but then also the users might not be real too. Teachers must show students how to access real information, show them how to verify its validity, and then encourage them to use it appropriately.

5. Technology is a resource that not all families can afford.
Whether technology is in the classroom or at home, there is the issue of affordability to worry about in today's world. Some households cannot afford to purchase computers for their kids to manage their school work. There are school districts that don't have enough money to pay their salaries each year, much less add new tech components for learning.

When we emphasize having technology in the classroom, then we place those at the lowest end of the wage scale at a significant disadvantage. Students with greater access can learn more and have access to lessons more often, which means they have additional information exposure that can increase their opportunities to succeed.

6. Some technologies could replace the teacher in some classrooms.
Interactive learning lessons are so effective today that the software or app can become the teacher instead of having someone present to help a student. One of the best examples of this potential disadvantage is ABC Mouse, which provides clear instructions to students as young as 3 so that they can start learning when they are ready.

Instead of being in a hands-on role, technology makes the teacher more of an observer. New tech automates the learning process while adapting to changing student needs.

7. There are privacy concerns to consider with technology in the classroom.
Over 15 million people each year experience identity theft in some way. It is a criminal empire that costs the economy over $16 billion per year. Since 2011, over $100 billion in losses have happened because of this issue. One of the reasons why it is becoming more prevalent is because more people have greater access to technology today.

When we introduce technology to the classroom, we are placing the identity of our children at risk every day. Even when apps, computers, mobile devices, and operating systems have advanced privacy filters that reduce the threat of identity loss, there is no way to guarantee that all risks are gone unless the equipment never goes online. If we take this step, then we end up losing many of the advantages of having technology in the classroom in the first place.

8. Technology in the classroom could create medical problems for some kids.
Eye strain occurs when you look at a computer screen for too long. Symptoms of this issue include back pain, eye pain, neck pain, feelings of tiredness, blurred vision, and problems with focus. Continuous heavy computer usage may lead to issues with early myopia, with a prevalence rate of more than 60% for those older than the age of 12. For some people, the impact of this health issue is cumulative, which means the time they spend in front of a phone, tablet, and television can contribute to eye health issues as well.

9. Kids often lose track of time when using technology in the classroom.
Although kids can adapt to changing environments without much of a second thought, their idea of normal is often defined by what they experience in the classroom. Teachers and schools have as much, if not more, time with children than their parents throughout the day, which means the classroom becomes an influential part of life for each student. Encouraging the use of tech might help to create more learning opportunities, but it can also lead to a lifestyle that is more sedentary.

When children sit for too long during the day, then they face the same health challenges that adults do when not getting enough exercise. There can be problems with obesity, hyperactivity, muscle fatigue, sleeping problems, and metabolism issues with prolonged sitting. That is why any school that introduces technology to the classroom should also encourage at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity whenever possible.

10. Many classrooms place limits on technology access.
Because of the awareness that schools have with the potential disadvantages that technology can cause in the classroom, there are limits placed on the use of items under the guise of child protection. Although firewalls and site blockers can prevent most dangerous content from reaching the eyes of children, it is not unusual to see this issue taken a step further by restricting computer work to word processing and basic research. Students come home with assignments to use tech of their own, at a library, or through a loan program to place this responsibility on the parents instead.

If we force limits on children instead of teaching them how to make wise choices, then is that really giving them a learning environment?

11. Technology can create dependencies for information recall.
If you cannot recall a piece of information instantly, then what is your next step to find an answer? Most people would say that they would look online for the data they want or ask a virtual assistant, like Alexa, to give them the answer. Having access to a treasure-trove of resources is wonderful, but it can also create a dependency because of its presence. If we do not teach students how to recall info by themselves without the use of a smart device or computer, then the next generation of students may be unable to function unless there is technology for them to access.

Verdict on the Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology in the Classroom

These advantages and disadvantages of technology in the classroom indicate that students and teachers can be more effective in their roles with its presence. Although there can be varying levels of comfort based on the amount of exposure each person has to computers, electronic whiteboards, and other items, an introduction of new tech is an investment that can offer ongoing dividends.

There are times when technology can provide new experiences to a student. Teachers can use apps and software to reach kids that might normally disconnect from the classroom.

Technology in the classroom opens more doors, introduces new experiences, and creates more opportunities for self-discovery. The positive aspects that occur with school integration typically outweigh any of the issues that a district might encounter.

Author Biography
Keith Miller has over 25 years of experience as a CEO and serial entrepreneur. As an entrepreneur, he has founded several multi-million dollar companies. As a writer, Keith's work has been mentioned in CIO Magazine, Workable, BizTech, and The Charlotte Observer. If you have any questions about the content of this blog post, then please send our content editing team a message here.

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22 Advantages and Disadvantages of Technology in Education

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The modern classroom has taken several steps forward in its evolution of the learning environment in the past 25 years. Many of the benefits that we have seen in this setting are due to the introduction of new technology options for students.

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12 Easy Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom, Even for Technophobic Teachers

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12 Easy Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom, Even for Technophobic Teachers

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Integrating Technology into the Classroom: Eight Keys to Success

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Integrating Technology into the Classroom: Eight Keys to Success

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Journal of Technology and Teacher Education ISSN 1059-7069 Publisher: Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education, Chesapeake, VA

Abstract

There are many issues related to the successful use of technology in the classroom. Some of the more salient include securing necessary annual funding, the development of dynamic plans, and decisions concerning platforms, hardware, T1 lines, software, and so forth. While these are perhaps the most obvious considerations, an often-overlooked but crucial determinant of whether technology succeeds or fails in the classroom is a less than obvious one...the teacher. While attention to choosing the appropriate hardware and software for the classroom is prerequisite, it is the skill and attitude of the teacher that determines the effectiveness of technology integration into the curriculum.

Citation

Bitner, N. & Bitner, J. (2002). Integrating Technology into the Classroom: Eight Keys to Success. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 10(1), 95-100. Norfolk, VA: Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education.

Keywords

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Integrating Technology into the Classroom: Eight Keys to Success

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There are many issues related to the successful use of technology in the classroom. Some of the more salient include securing necessary annual funding, the development of dynamic plans, and decisions concerning platforms, hardware, T1 lines, software, and so forth.

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25 Easy Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom

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25 Easy Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom

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The Use of Technology in Special Education

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The Use of Technology in Special Education

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It's a great infographic

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Share this infographic on your site!

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The editors at Masters in Special Education Degrees decided to research the topic of:

Teaching With Tech: The Use of Technology in Special Education

With a considerable number of K-12 students in special education programs throughout the U.S., teachers have found that the traditional use of textbooks and worksheets is often ineffective. The use of assistive technology - computer software, communication devices and tablets - is a new and innovative trend among educators. Let's explore what technologies are being used in special education classrooms and how they work.

Students in Need

8.4%

- Percentage of students 6 to 21 who receive special education services
7 million

- Students with disabilities in U.S. public schools
62.7%

- Percentage of U.S. students with special needs who graduate high school
30%

- Increase in special education programs over the past decade
Percentage of students with specific disabilities

- Hearing or visual impairment - 2%
- Mental retardation - 10%
- Speech or language impairments - 21%
- Emotional disorders - 8%
- Specific learning disabilities* - 51%
- Other - 8%
- *Can include specific learning impairments in reading, math and other subjects.
The Products

- Teachers who work with students with special needs can find devices and software geared toward particular disabilities. Many of these products can be funded by school programs, teachers or paid for using private insurance.
iPad

How it's used:
With a durable touchscreen, iPads can be used for visual learning, reading and video watching. Students can interact with programs via web access.
Cost:
$499-$929 each
NOVA Chat
How it's used: Perfect for text-to-speech programs, which are ideal for students with reading disabilities. Text can be read aloud, and speech can be converted to text. Cost: $2,300-$3,300/class
DynaVox xPress

Schools across the U.S. have already seen success stories regarding the use of technology in special education programs. Here are some that prove just how helpful - even life-changing - technology can be.

Wayland, N.Y.

Utilizing simulation programs on class computers in a special education classroom, all students (including a blind student, a student with impaired speech and one with ADHD) were able to communicate with one another virtually. This strengthened their sense of fellowship, as well as their self-confidence. Without the special communication software provided, each student would have felt isolated from the others and been unable to interact.

New Castle, Del.

A special needs school took advantage of a program to digitize lessons. Since many students couldn't write or call out answers, they were able with the software to choose their answers via keyboard devices. And even those who could not use a keyboard were able to select answers using "eye gaze," a program that allows students to choose the answer as a picture on the screen just by staring at it for three seconds. With these programs and devices, all students were able to complete lessons and move on to higher grades.

Kansas City, Mo.

A public school where 10% of students were in special education classes joined a program that created individualized education plans for each special needs student. Because of the wide range of devices and software available for students in special education classes, the students' teacher was able to cater to each child's specific learning needs. Though each student was on his or her own path, their teacher used computers to create a game out of the students' progress reports. Even students with special needs like a little competition; and it pushed the students to work harder and be more successful.

Schools in Need

Truth is, the need for special education teachers is growing, but the number of people signing up for the certificate isn't. To be successful both in and beyond school, students with special needs require teachers who care enough and will use the devices available to personalize a progressive education plan for them.

$53,220

- Average salary of a special education teacher
473,000

- Number of currently employed special education teachers in the U.S.
554,900

- Projected number of needed special education teachers in 2018
SOURCES

- https://disabilitycompendium.org
- https://www.ideadata.org
- https://usatoday30.usatoday.com
- https://www.ed.gov
- https://www.learningrx.com
- https://familiestogetherinc.com
- https://www.specialedtechcenter.org
- https://read180.scholastic.com
- https://www.learningtoday.com
- https://www.pcieducation.com
- https://www.washington.edu
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/special-education-teachers.htm
- https://www.regent.edu/acad/schedu/masters-special-education/

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Share this infographic on your site! Embed this infographic on your site! The editors at Masters in Special Education Degrees decided to research the topic of: With a considerable number of K-12 students in special education programs throughout the U.S., teachers have found that the traditional use of textbooks and worksheets is often ineffective.

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Using Technology to Empower Students With Special Needs

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Using Technology to Empower Students With Special Needs

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Learn how one educator uses G Suite for Education to help students overcome their negative self-images and embrace learning.

One of the biggest problems I encounter as a resource room teacher is the self-esteem of the students in my classes. After years of disappointing academic experiences, their confidence is low and their motivation has declined. Combine those points with the peer pressure, bullying, and stresses of middle school, and the students do not have a positive outlook on their education.
Use Google Classroom for Choice and Personalized Learning
In my classroom, technology is a tool for empowerment-it creates a collaborative and innovative space for all students. Along with over 50 million educators and students, I am primarily using Google's G Suite for Education. The suite is a bundle of Google's key products, such as Drive, Docs, Slides, and Forms, along with new tools like Google Classroom. While I used these applications in a middle school classroom, the following strategies are appropriate for any age from upper elementary students to high school seniors.

My special education students typically miss out on taking courses of personal interest. Electives are often replaced with supplemental math or reading classes to bring the students up to grade-level expectations. So I decided to bring student interests into my resource rooms. While we still have to follow the curriculum and I have to modify it based on individual needs, I wanted to implement more choice and personalized learning in my instruction.
© Kathryn Nieves
I typically share a choice board or a HyperDoc to Google Classroom in order to provide my students with their own avenues for learning. A choice board is a graphic organizer that offers students options of tasks to complete. A HyperDoc is a digital lesson plan that also incorporates choice in student learning. I provide students with tasks they are required to complete and a variety of tasks they can choose from and can complete at their own pace. This individual pacing helps to increase student ownership and accountability for their learning-traits that all students need, especially students with special needs.
Create "20 Percent Time" for Passion Projects
Sometimes the HyperDoc is as simple as a multimedia text set from which students choose what they would like to read and view. For some assignments, students use YouTube to view a video I've created about the topic. Then they have their choice of an article to read based on their own individual interests. Students can choose to use Google Slides, their own YouTube video creation, a Google Form to survey others, or other technology tools to show what they've learned before sharing with their peers via Google Classroom. Students are given the freedom to demonstrate their knowledge in their own way and tend to feel more invested in learning because of the choices they are given.

Based on Google's philosophy of having employees devote part of their work time to projects of personal interest, I have my students choose an area of passion that is not in the curriculum. They develop a step-by-step plan to help them reach their goal and set timeframes to measure their progress. For some students, organization is a challenge. Since they have to keep track of all of their materials and work, as well as plan their project step by step, the project gives them the tools they need to practice organization. This project is a long-term assignment, so I give my students about half of the school year to complete their work.

The students excel at these projects. I had a student draft an entire graphic novel on paper, scan it to her Google Drive, and then use the PDF annotation extension Kami to add text to the thought and speech bubbles. Technology enabled her to create a professional-looking manuscript that she can add to her portfolio as she pursues art in high school. Other students completed their experience by sharing their projects with their peers through Google Slides, video recordings, and other presentation software.
Use Tools to Aid Discussion and Collaboration
Though there were challenges, my students enjoyed the opportunity to work on these passion projects and were able to use problem-solving skills to overcome obstacles. The concept of problem solving is tough for special education students to grasp, but having them work on their own choice of project helps unlock their ability to work through challenges.

Because of the nature of some of their disabilities, my students struggle with communication. Group work is difficult, and discussions are often one-sided. I knew my quiet students had insightful comments to share but were reluctant to speak up in class, and my outgoing students needed to take more time to craft their responses. Again, technology helped all these students work through their challenges.

I use the Google Slides Q&A feature during class presentations. The students access a question-based page associated with the presentation and can post questions, which the presenter can refer back to at the end of the presentation. My quieter students felt more empowered from behind a keyboard, and they actively shared ideas and asked questions. For my students anxious about speaking in front of others, the anonymity made them feel relaxed during discussions. My eager speakers were also aided by technology. Because they had to take the time to type an answer, as opposed to just saying whatever popped into their heads, they paused and reflected before typing. They began to think about their words carefully as a result of the digital discussions.

Verso is another way I've encouraged collaboration and discussion. Through this Chrome app, I can post questions for my students. They cannot see each other's responses until they post something themselves. Since responses are anonymous, my students with anxiety feel at ease about their contributions.

Technology has eased the disappointment and frustration that my students feel when faced with academics. It has helped me reach out to my students, rekindled their passion for learning, and empowered them to not only find success but also feel confident in the classroom.

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Using Technology to Empower Students With Special Needs

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Learn how one educator uses G Suite for Education to help students overcome their negative self-images and embrace learning. One of the biggest problems I encounter as a resource room teacher is the self-esteem of the students in my classes. After years of disappointing academic experiences, their confidence is low and their motivation has declined.

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How do special education students benefit from technology?

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How do special education students benefit from technology?

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Most of the LEARN NC Content has been archived using the Wayback Machine. Instructions for how to access that content is below, including links to frequently requested materials.

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It's a great presentation about how to use technology in biology classes

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Encoding Technology into the Biology Classroom First, students research the stages of meiosis, as well as cross-over event and random assortment. Students would use PowerPoint to create a slideshow explaining how meiosis provides genetic variability. Video Option First, students research the stages of meiosis, as well as cross-over event and random assortment.

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It's really useful article and it presents how technology could enable educators to reach students of multiple intelligences

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Hi! Welcome to our website that explores how technology can be used in a biology classroom. We are two college students -- Nicole Miller from Bryn Mawr College and Liane D'Alessandro from Haverford College. We are both biolgy majors getting certified to teach biology in grades 7-12.

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7 EdTech Trends to Combine Biology Education And Technology

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7 EdTech Trends to Combine Biology Education And Technology

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Try to describe a typical student in today's higher education institutions and you will find it is an impossible task. The student population in the modern classroom is made of individuals from a dizzying array of socio-economic backgrounds, age groups, ethnicity and religious beliefs and the diversity doesn't stop there - especially when we think about those studying courses such as biology. Students have different learning habits, some with a stronger knowledge base than others. Each student experiences their own unique learning journey, with an infinite number of career options ahead of them. Sure, some are taking biology as part of their General Education or to complete their electives but others will move into a scientific research background, become doctors or even go on to teach in the science subjects.

When there is no real time to plan new ideas and little staff resource to develop them anyway, the thought of building new tools into established courses can seem overwhelming. Faculties continue to be pushed to provide courses that attract students, retain them and support them in a successful - and satisfying - learning journey. So what can faculty administrators do to create course content that will appeal to all of the students, all of the time?

EdTech resources have become time and cost saving tools, but with so many on the market it can be a big job sourcing the most useful ones. We researched some of the best options and have gathered them together in a useful guide - saving you time and effort. These options are straight forward and can be implemented straight away with little need for specific course design experience.

7 EdTech tools that will drive your students' engagement
Online Laboratory Simulations
Cost-effective (and often free) software recreates the classroom laboratory online, providing engaging science simulation for learners. This works especially well for teachers who have embraced the flipped classroom approach as simulations can be conducted in the classroom in a group or individual setting as part of the day to day activities, or students can conduct experiments at home as part of their core homework assignments. Click here for examples of several virtual laboratories - shared by faculty teachers as well as commercial laboratories.

Online simulations can also be created by teachers and students which can be shared in group settings using software such as the Molecular Workbench.
Interactive 3D animation apps for biology
Interactive applications have come a long way in terms of usability and educational content in recent years. With more apps being developed for both Apple and Android devices the accessibility has improved dramatically, too. Anatomy apps such as https://www.biodigital.com/education boasts around 5000 interactive, 3D examples of anatomy and health conditions. Apps such as Molecule World allow users to download and view thousands of proteins, DNA, RNA, and chemical structures from extensive public databases.
Short videos for 'Micro-learning'
Karl M Kapp highlighted 'Microlearning' as one of the top five EdTech trends for institutions to keep an eye on when developing courses for 2016. The idea is that learners are delivered blocks of subject content in bursts of five to ten minutes instead of hour long lectures. This type of content appeals to a generation of students whose attention is diverted regularly from screen to screen.

The result is short, sharp instructional videos and interviews that can be slotted into presentations by tutors. A quick search on YouTube will return a significant range of videos, but for a more targeted and better researched resource try http://sciencevideos.org/ or www.ibiology.org
Games / Gamification
Educational games have increased in popularity in recent years - among pre-schoolers, right the way through to college students and it is clear that gamification in learning is not going away. Games are particularly useful for learners who are not motivated to learn in the subject or are struggling to grasp particular elements of a topic. Games that offer points, badge rewards and even leader boards have most success in encouraging learners to focus on key lessons or topics in a fun and informal way. A great resource for games - which can be filtered by age group or subject - can be found at Science Game Centre.

For those with a special interest in gamification who might wish to design a course game personally, there are a multitude of software options available. Even those with limited game design experience can create engaging, educational games with the use of authoring tools. To get started, look at Adobe's Captivate platform.
Open Educational Resources (OERs)
As institutions shift toward a more student centered approach to learning, there is also a recognizable shift towards a more collaborative approach between institutions, with more emphasis on joint working and sharing of good practice and resources. Online communities such as the Life Science Teacher Resource Community and the Society for Neuroscience provide excellent resources for teaching but also forums for students and educators, access to specific blogs, case studies and opportunities in mentoring and support.
Ted Talks - Biology
At eighteen minutes (maximum) in length, Ted Talks are a little longer than the micro-learning videos mentioned previously but still pack a powerful punch. The Ted Talks Biologyplatform hosts a number of thrilling talks on topics as diverse as glow in the dark sharks, the growth of new brain cells, and the future of medicine. This means there are plenty of wow factor talks that will surely keep students sitting up in their seats and re-engaging with biology.
Adaptive Learning
Kapp also highlights Adaptive Learning as a progressive trend in EdTech for 2016. The facility allows for a tailored approach to learning and course development and - with the right support at design and build stage - has the capability to add all the previous tools together in a seamless, personalized learning environment. Students, living and studying in the digital age find adaptive far more engaging than a traditional textbook and data throughout the course gives the instructor valuable insight into how much support each student requires. You can learn more about Cogbooks Advanced Adaptive Courseware here.

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7 EdTech Trends to Combine Biology Education And Technology

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Try to describe a typical student in today's higher education institutions and you will find it is an impossible task. The student population in the modern classroom is made of individuals from a dizzying array of socio-economic backgrounds, age groups, ethnicity and religious beliefs and the diversity doesn't stop there - especially when we think about those studying courses such as biology.