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Here is a Padlet about the Solar System I have created to integrate into the classroom.

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Here is a link to a list I have created of many app reviews of useful educational software.

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Here is a lesson plan I created integrating Padlet into the lesson.

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11 Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom

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11 Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom

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5 Reasons to Integrate Technology in the Classroom

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5 Reasons to Integrate Technology in the Classroom

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Watch this video about integrating technology

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5 Reasons to Use Digital Technology in the Classroom

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10 Reasons to Integrate Technology into the Classroom

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10 Reasons to Integrate Technology into the Classroom

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Technology is everywhere--entwined in almost every part of our culture. It affects how we live, work, play, and most importantly learn. With mobile and other wireless devices like the IoT becoming an increasing requirement across every industry today, it only makes sense that our schools are also effectively deploying mobile technology in the classroom. However, for many schools, implementing the latest technology is a difficult strategy to navigate.

There are two main reasons for this:

Schools are on the fence about the use of certain mobile devices; thinking they're more a burden than a strategic learning tool.

Schools want to deploy mobile devices but their WiFi networks are not capable of properly supporting the technology

In both cases it's a lose lose situation for everyone involved, especially the students.

To help your school confidently make the decision to embrace mobile technology in the classroom, we've put together a list of 10 reasons why it will benefit your students.

Then, we've outlined how your school can make sure it's ready to actually support those new/added devices.

1) Prepares students for their future careers.

If used correctly, mobile devices and the applications they support, will help prepare students for their future careers.

2) Helps to support different learning styles.

Integrating technology into the classroom is an effective way to connect with students of all learning styles.

3) Collaboration.

It gives students the opportunity to enhance the interaction with their classmates and instructors by encouraging collaboration.

4) Improves digital citizenship.

Using technology in the classroom gives teachers and other faculty members the opportunity to develop their student's digital citizenship skills. It's one thing to use mobile devices, it's a completely other thing to know how to use them correctly and responsibly.

5) Integrating technology in education helps students stay engaged.

Most students today have been using mobile devices like tablets and smartphones to play and learn since they could crawl. So it only seems logical to align today's classrooms with the way that your students want and are used to learning.

6) Enhances the learning experience.

Combining new tech like VR (virtual reality) with traditional classroom instruction is one example of how the introduction of new technology can enhance the learning experience and create new opportunities.

7) Improves access to information.

When mobile technology is readily available and performing correctly in the classroom, students are able to access the most up-to-date information quicker and easier than ever before.

8) The traditional passive learning model is broken.

With technology in the classroom the teacher becomes the encourager, adviser, and coach.

9) Technology helps students be more responsible.

Owning your own device or borrowing the school's devices gives students the opportunity to improve their decision making skills as well as taking ownership of a valuable (and often times expensive) device. Again, this needs to be complemented by proper digital citizenship training to see the best results.

10)Technology transforms the learning experience.

Students have access to an incredible amount of new opportunities. From learning how to code to learning how to better collaborate across teams and with their instructors--technology empowers students to be more creative and be more connected. New tech has super-charged how we learn today.

If your school is still debating how technology can benefit your students, teachers and administrators, I hate to break it to you, but the future of education is already here and you're missing an unbelievable amount of opportunities.

How to Support Technology in the Classroom

One of the biggest mistakes schools make when deploying or allowing new devices onto their campus and into their classrooms, is by not making sure their network infrastructure is up-to-date and/or sufficient enough to properly support their end-users.

We've seen numerous situations where schools have bought and deployed new tablets or new laptops, only to find that nothing worked because their Wi-Fi network couldn't support the new devices.

With tight budgets you can't afford to buy new devices and have them not work; you need to get it right the first time.

Having a secure WiFi network is what makes using new mobile devices possible. Yes, wireless is a specialized skill and yes they're not cheap, but they're also more attainable than you might think.

After engineering and deploying more than 1000+ wireless systems over the last 11 years, we've learned a lot about what should work and what actually does work.

A few of the main takeaways are:

Your WiFi system needs to always align with the devices that are connecting to it

Technical resources are expensive and hard to find

User expectations are higher than ever

Everything is constantly changing (devices, applications, how we use WiFi, device numbers, number users, even the physical environment)

What makes this especially challenging for schools is that WiFi networks today only have a useful shelf-life of between three to four years at the very best.

Knowing that traditionally, wireless networks cost a lot of money to design, deploy and manage, how do schools with almost no available budget get what they need?

Using network subscription software, your school can have the exact wireless system it needs to support any technology plan it wants to implement. Whether it's new tablets as part of a 1:1 program or BYOD, network subscriptions enables schools of any size to successfully embrace technology and the mobile devices their students want and need.

There are a variety of benefits, including:

Flexible payment options including 100% OPEX.

Scalability to grow with your needs up or down

Guarantees you always have the latest system in place

Allows you to prioritize your budget towards other mission-critical projects

Quick and easy all digital experience

Want to learn more? Check out our product page to find out what's included and how to get started today!

*Editor's note: This blog post was originally posted in September 2013 and has been completely revamped and updated for thoroughness and accuracy.

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10 Reasons Today's Students NEED Technology in the Classroom

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Technology is everywhere--entwined in almost every part of our culture. It affects how we live, work, play, and most importantly learn. With mobile and other wireless devices like the IoT becoming an increasing requirement across every industry today, it only makes sense that our schools are also effectively deploying mobile technology in the classroom.

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Click here for my classroom website!

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A WebQuest is a great way for students to utilize technology. Here is a WebQuest that I have created.

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Blending Technology and Classroom Learning

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Blending Technology and Classroom Learning

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Watch this Ted Talk about integrating technology into the classroom.

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Blending technology and classroom learning: Jessie Woolley-Wilson at TEDxRainier

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Check out this website that gives different benefits of integrating technology into the classroom.

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Benefits of Technology in the Classroom - TeachHUB

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Technology has become an everyday part of our lives, and that’s true for schools, too. Learn more about the benefits of technology in the classroom.

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10 Ways to Integrate Technology into the Classroom

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10 Ways to Integrate Technology into the Classroom

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Here is a website with simple ways to integrate technology into the classroom.

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I am a technology junky! At any given time you will find a collection of iPads, laptops, iPhones, smart T.V.s, e-readers, you name it. If you haven't read Goodnight iPad by Ann Droyd, you really should. This may very well have taken place in my house. ;)

If you aren't sold on the importance of integrating technology in the classroom or have doubts, this video is an absolute MUST!! This video is one of the most powerful videos that I have watched lately.

This year I was fortunate to receive Chromebooks for all of my students. Receiving these Chromebooks and feeling the pressure (mostly self-induced) to use them often and effectively was, and still is, overwhelming.

To keep my sanity in check, I decided to start small. By starting small, I saved my sanity and also my students'.

Whether you have one, two, three or many technology devices available for your students, start small!!

To get you started or to simply get your creative technology juices flowing, I have a list of 10 simple ways to integrate technology into the classroom, and they are all free. These tools and resources are great for the classroom that is 1:1 with technology, or the classroom that has only one iPad or tablet. Do you only have one device? Create a center that focuses on the use of technology.

1. Listen/Watch digital stories. There are many free websites available where students can go, choose a book, and listen to the story. Zing and Storyonline are a perfect start!

2. Have students begin with a little research. Provide them with a topic and have them gather 3-5 facts. Here, on Upper Elementary Snapshots, we have a list of child-safe search engines that you can find HERE.

3. Create a Google form for students to choose their lunch choice for the day.

4. Practice math skills on IXL. IXL is a paid subscription, but students can practice for free until they have reached the daily problem limit.

5. Create a Kahoot to review for an upcoming test. They are a hoot and students LOVE them!

6. Have students visit Wonderopolis, read the wonder of the day, and reflect in their writing journal.

7. Create a classroom blog using Google's free Blogger. Post an open-ended reading question for students to comment.

8. For Social Studies, use KidsGeo.com to practice their geography skills.

9. If you are familiar with QR codes, create a question of the day and require students to check their answer by scanning the code.

10. Can students ever get enough practice with basic math facts?!?! XtraMath is a perfect free solution!

Remember to start slow! Focus on one area of your choice. Allow students to become comfortable with using the tool and allow yourself to become comfortable implementing it. Once you and your students are comfortable, think about adding a new focus. Taking baby steps with ultimately lead to success!

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10 Simple Ways to Integrate Technology in the Classroom

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I am a technology junky! At any given time you will find a collection of iPads, laptops, iPhones, smart T.V.s, e-readers, you name it. If you haven't read Goodnight iPad by Ann Droyd, you really should. This may very well have taken place in my house.