# data[].attributes.body
Here is a lesson I made on the Solar System using padlet.

# data[].attributes.body
Redefining Learning & Teaching with Technology

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Redefining Learning & Teaching using Technology. | Jason Brown | TEDxNorwichED

# data[].attributes.headline
22 Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom

# data[].attributes.subject
22 Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
If your state adopted the Common Core State Standards, 75% of you will administer yearly assessments online. If students haven't used online tools or software for classwork, this can be a daunting task. Having computer devices as optional education tools is much different from requiring students to use those devices for graded assessments. This can be intimidating for both students and teachers.

The good news: It doesn't take as much time and practice as you might think to prepare for these tests by utilizing technology in the classroom. What it does require is a techie mindset: An acceptance that technology is part of the daily academic landscape, that it be integrated into assignments, practice, modeling, , assessments, projects, portfolios, grading rubrics, expectations.

There are ways to use technology in the classroom that won't take much out of your already-packed day (these were covered in this article, and include ideas like practicing keyboarding and basic tech skills, building up student stamina by using tech academically, and honing tech problem-solving skills).

Here, I'll focus on "practicing basic tech skills." This is not only the easiest skill to accomplish, it's intuitive, fun, and the most effective in enabling students to reach a comfort level with what otherwise might feel like geeky stuff they know nothing about (and think they can't learn).

Here are 22 strategies to use next year that will make your teaching life easier, bump up your effectiveness with students, save time complying with the Common Core State Standards, and prepare students effectively for next Spring. As you're in your grade-level teams, planning lessons for next year, include these. They will add spice to your classes, build flexible learning paths, and contribute to sustainable, transformation learning. Once you start using tech in the classroom as a tool (not a separate activity), you will find students self-selecting it when given a choice, coming up with their own ways to make tech today's adaptive answer.

Use online sign-ups for conferences, parent helpers and project presentation dates. You can use Sign-up Genius, Google calendar, or Google Apps for Education (from Docs or Sheets).

Share stories with iPads, especially those that students write. Write them in Word or Google Docs or any word processing program. Save as PDFs and load them onto iPads to share with students. PDFs can be displayed through Kindle, iBooks or a similar app. Most will allow students to note parts they like, highlight, and save for reference. Some (like Notability) allow students to take notes on the PDF to use in discussions. This is especially appealing with comics students prepare to practice creative writing.

Create and share a class calendar by creating it in Google Apps. Embed it into the class blog, wiki, website or class Internet start page. Share with students, parents and other teachers. It can be edited by anyone with permissions. Include relevant dates for homework, projects, tests, vacations, holidays, school events, birthdays, and more.You can quickly see where there are conflicts between classes (a great way to prevent too many assessments on the same day). If you don't, students will point them out!

Use Twitter as a backchannel device, to solicit student feedback, as a quick assessment on a discussion, to collaborate on ideas, to share notes for an upcoming exam, as a reminder tool, to communicate outside of class, and more. Create a private class account (available only to members) that students log into. They use #hashtags to organize work, "reply" to group answers in one spot. Show it on the class Smartscreen throughout class and encourage students to post inquiry-related comments, thoughts and questions for the class.

Go on virtual field trips and save money by going places via the Internet. This is becoming increasingly popular as online tools become more sophisticated. Google's Streetview Guy not only travels roads, but goes into buildings, out in forests, along hiking trails, and more. The White House Tour is one of the most popular with my students. Simply search "White House" on Google Earth, and drop Streetview Guy onto the roof.

Preview field trips virtually before going and show students what they'll see before they actually take a physical field trip, say, to the Long Beach Aquarium. Find it on Google Earth, then travel from the school (or the starting point) to the destination. Show students what they'll pass, how crowded the roads are, what their field trip location looks like before they even get there. Often, locations have their own set of videos on activities that you can watch as a group or in small student clusters. In the above example, students see an overview of the Long Beach Aquarium, the freeway arrive on as well as entrances. With Streetview, you can even virtually drive them into the Aquarium!

Diversify your teaching by providing options for students who finish classwork early. I keep websites, simulations, educational games, the class calendar, homework and more on an Internet start page accessible by at school and home. Students know they can go here when they're done with assigned work. It always includes activities related to class inquiry. For example, students can update the class calendar, research a map location, play a topical video, or delve into a topic they're preparing a report on with the Box of Links on the right.

Use it to differentiate teaching. All students don't learn alike. With technology, that's no problem. Differentiate for their varied learning styles. Offer ways that projects can optionally be done using music (Garage Band), oral (), writing (GAFE), multimedia () --whatever suits the student. And, don't be afraid to make that the student's responsibility: They will not mind. Imagine their glee when they go home and tell their parents they must visit Hunger Games to learn about writing or Minecraft to write their story.

Translate classwork for non-native speakers. There are many options for this task (for example, Google Translate). Use these in class to enrich everyone's learning. Assign a student to find and post the translation (to the backchannel device, class Twitter account, or whatever works best for your group).

Adapt skills for special needs by using tech to insure equity. Prepare these before class, so they're available for students that need them. You can even include them on the class Internet start page (see above) so students can independently access them as needed, taking responsibility for their own learning goals.

Collect data with Google Forms by creating a Google Form on a topic that students are researching. Have them collect their research on the form and share it with everyone in class. This is a great way to collaborate on projects and encourage note-taking as an academic skill.

Collect feedback with a backchannel. As with Twitter above, display this on the Smartscreen so students can share knowledge, provide constructive comments, help each other. This will inform how you proceed in class -- if students are catching on quickly, you might move faster, or slow down if the reverse is true. Because backchannels can be anonymous, no one will worry about sharing their feelings. It can also be used as a quick assessment of topical learning to see if students are ready to move on.

Participate in Google Hangouts -- these are online get-togethers offered through Google Apps. They are typically after class hours, enabling students to meet at a prescribed time through the Google Hangout environment. It allows for sharing screens, documents, even YouTube videos, and can be recorded and shared as a video for those who couldn't make it or those who want to review the get-together. These are especially important in a flipped classroom environment to encourage students to work together as they prepare homework for the next day's class.

Require an exit ticket from class. This can be any sort of quick tech - -a game, comment, simulations, greeting card, a very short story. A great one is to tweet their thoughts on class. With only 140 characters, it has to be quick.

Practice keyboarding by using school keyboarding software (like Type to Learn) or an online site (like DanceMat Typing). Let students know that when they finish assigned work, they go directly to typing practice. Most keyboarding sites are fun so students won't mind. Common Core insists students become facile, efficient keyboarders. Make that their responsibility

Assign students to do tech class work. When there's a tech job to do, assign that to the students. They'll want to be responsible. This includes adding assignments to the class calendar, timing class activities, sharing certain information on the class Smartscreen (in my class, we have simulations that have leaderboards that must be refreshed to display up-to-date results. I let students take charge of that. Who knew pushing F7 could be so much fun?).

Don't be afraid of tech mistakes -- embrace them. You won't be able to avoid them -- it's all part of technology. Show students how you face the problem, seek out solutions, don't get frustrated, and ultimately prevail. You are teaching them problem-solving.

Co-teach with the tech teacher or whoever knows the tech better -- it might even be a student. Collaborate, share ideas. Model the skills you are encouraging students to learn.

Look up vocabulary digitally -- learning new vocabulary is part of daily education activities. It is frustrating if the student must write the word down, find a dictionary/thesaurus/encyclopedia somewhere, look the word up, and write the definition in their notebook. That's a lot of steps -- I'd even be discouraged from learning this way. Instead, have students stop what they're reading and take ten seconds to digitally look up the word (in Google, type define:[the word]) or post it on the class Twitter stream for a classmate to decode. They'll come to enjoy new words.

Control a noisy classroom -- show a tool (like ) on the class Smartscreen that tracks noise in the classroom. This requires nothing from you -- just the display. Students naturally react to the noise meters.

Share student work -- if students have blogs or websites, show them how to display their work on these sites. It can be done with a screenshot or an embed code. If you use Google Apps for Education, every file created will generate an embed code that can be placed on websites and blogs (it's under "Publish"). This is a great way to develop a student portfolio, encourage feedback on student work, and share with parents and other teachers.

Provide feedback -- This is an important step in student work. Studies show that feedback is one of the predictors of educational success (in teachers as well as students). Expect students to publish their work to a personal blog, wiki, and/or website AND to comment on the work of classmates. I usually say five per assignment. It can be done during free time in class, at home, or whenever it works. Students will learn to manage their time and fit this quick exercise in.

There you go, 22 ways to put tech into your class as part of the educational process. It's not distracting, not an extra layer. It becomes the educational tool of choice. Sure, it won't work quite that way the first time, maybe not even the second time, but by the third or fourth time, you will be thrilled. Questions? I'm happy to answer any--askatechteacher (at) gmail.com.

_________________________

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-8 technology for 15 years. She is the editor of a K-8 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum, and creator of technology training books for how to integrate technology in education. She is webmaster for six blogs, CSG Master Teacher, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, a columnist for Examiner.com, tech expert, and a weekly contributor to TeachHUB. Currently, she's editing a techno-thriller that should be out to publishers next summer.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Top 22 Ways To Use Technology in the Classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
If your state adopted the Common Core State Standards , 75% of you will administer yearly assessments online. If students haven't used online tools or software for classwork, this can be a daunting task. Having computer devices as optional education tools is much different from requiring students to use those devices for graded assessments.

# data[].attributes.headline
13 Reasons for using technology in the classroom

# data[].attributes.subject
13 Reasons for using technology in the classroom

# data[].attributes.body
I like the reasons they have on this website, check it out!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
For the 45 states who opted into Common Core, using technology in the classroom is no longer a choice -- it's required. Common Core's Standards insist that for any student to be prepared for college and career requires they be digitally and technologically savvy.

From the English Language Arts Standards: Technology differentiates for student learning styles by providing an alternative method of achieving conceptual understanding, procedural skill and fluency, and applying this knowledge to authentic circumstances.

From the Math Standards: Mathematically proficient students consider the available tools when solving a mathematical problem. These tools might include pencil and paper, concrete models, a ruler, a protractor, a calculator, a spreadsheet, a computer algebra system, a statistical package, or dynamic geometry software. Proficient students are sufficiently familiar with tools appropriate for their grade or course to make sound decisions about when each of these tools might be helpful.

The standards themselves go into detail. Sprinkled throughout are constant allusions to the importance of using technology, its fundamental nature as the bedrock of education, and the necessity to weave it throughout the academic fabric, regardless the topic, skill or requirement.

Here are 13 reasons why this is a good idea. The first seven are directly from the Standards, the last six from my classroom experience.

2. Technology e nables students to build strong content knowledge wherever they find it. It's easy for students to pursue anything they're curious about with technology. Make available online dictionaries to quickly look up unknown words. Teach students the tricks of quick and accurate online research. Follow the lead of hundreds of schools nationwide that have added the Genius Hour to their curriculum, where students follow school academic guidelines 80 percent of the time and get to follow their own passion for the remaining 20 percent.

8. Common Core expects students to be active learners, authors, not just consumers. Technology makes that happen by asking them to publish, share, collaborate.

9. Students want to use technology. When students use iPads, Chromebooks, laptops, widgets, online tools and a plethora of other digital devices, technology provides a path to learning that students are eager to follow. Why ask them to unplug at the schoolhouse door?

10. Technology is its own assessment tool. To paraphrase James Paul Gee, a professor of literacy studies at Arizona State University: "When students use simulations, games, videos to learn, they have to problem-solve, critically think, transfer knowledge from other learning experiences." That's a good thing.

11. Learning with technology is connected. In a connected, technology-rich environment, students engage with peers, celebrities, relatives and experts worldwide. They like to do that. Why do you think social media is so viral?

12. Technology gives students an equal voice. Student value is in what they produce, not based on age or grade level. Their voices are important; they are listened to. If they publish an ebook, it is judged on the quality of writing, not their age. Where else can this happen?

13. Consider a video. For teaching, that is. Students can pause it, rewind, learn at their own pace. That's technology.
Use these 13 reasons to offset the three most popular excuses for not using technology:
1. It doesn't fit into my program.

2. I'm already juggling too much.

3. I don't have time to learn it or use it.

Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach once said, "Teachers will not be replaced by technology, but teachers who don't use technology will be replaced by those who do." Amen.
If you don't use technology in the classroom -- or wish you didn't have to -- share your reasons.
_________________________

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-8 technology for 15 years. She is the editor of a K-8 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum, and creator of technology training books for how to integrate technology in education. She is webmaster for six blogs, CSG Master Teacher, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, a columnist for Examiner.com, tech expert, and a weekly contributor to TeachHUB. Currently, she's editing a techno-thriller that should be out to publishers next summer.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
13 Reasons for Using Technology in the Classroom

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
For the 45 states who opted into Common Core, using technology in the classroom is no longer a choice -- it's required. Common Core's Standards insist that for any student to be prepared for college and career requires they be digitally and technologically savvy.

# data[].attributes.body
This is an inspiration document that I used to make a chart for the scientific method for my students to fill out as they use the scientific method when conducting experiments.

# data[].attributes.headline
Advantage of Using Technology in the classroom

# data[].attributes.subject
Advantage of Using Technology in the classroom

# data[].attributes.body
Watch this short video to see 5 advantages of using technology in the classroom.

# data[].attributes.body
Here is a spreadsheet on average temperatures that is interactive and lets students take their data and enter in the spreadsheet and watch as the charts and graphs move with their information.

# data[].attributes.body
This is a webquest on Johnny Appleseed who teaches us about the differences between myths and legends while letting us explore and conduct research with technology.

# data[].attributes.headline
Why Should We Integrate Technology In the Classroom?

# data[].attributes.subject
Why Should We Integrate Technology In the Classroom?

# data[].attributes.body
I think integrating technology in the classroom is such an important part of todays classroom enviornment. Technology has  become more advanced that it has touched almost every aspect of a persons life except in classroom curriculum. Bringing technology into the classroom not only allows students more creativity while completing as assignment, but it allows them to think outside of the box and have fun. Teachers using technology in their lesson plans allows for full potentionals of their lessons to teach students with different learning types and letting their students become more interactive. Yes, technology should be used with caution and close consideration for each lesson but with the right supervision and plans, technology in the classroom can make learning more meaningful and fun.