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Technology integration is when technology resources are used in daily classroom practices and in school management. This can include computers, tablets, phones, digital cameras, social media platforms, interactive websites, apps, etc. Teachers can do in various ways to help students learn and be engaged in the learning process. - TF

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When a teacher uses technology in a classroom setting, it can help boost student engagement. It doesn't have to be anything super fancy. Even simple technologies like games, Powerpoint presentations, and online, interactive assignments can make a huge difference in a student's education. Technology can be a valuable tool for solving-problems and completing work. - TF

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High Tech Options

Flip Cameras

The flip cam has been one of the most beneficial and inexpensive purchases I have ever made as a teacher. We have used the camera not only to film holiday celebrations, field trips, and class plays but to also record step by step procedural videos of some of our daily classroom routines. For instance, many children forget what partner reading should look and sound like, rather than having to explain these routines to children a teacher might make a catalog of these videos and keep them on the desktop of the classroom computer for a quick visual explanation. I have recorded directions for properly using centers in our classroom, the quick video will show a child how to use the materials in the art center as well as illustrate what they need to do to close/clean up a center when they are done. Some children may find book shopping a very hard process, they are unsure of how to choose a "just right book" and can watch as a classmate demonstrates choosing a book, taking a book walk to see if they are able to read the words on the pages or if the pictures are of interest to them. I have also found the flip camera to be very useful with students who may not be able to generate a written story but are able to deliver it orally. The child can be recorded telling the story and can use the playback, and pause features to then pen the story from their oral telling.

Flip cameras can be a great low-cost way to integrate technology into every discipline in your classroom. Flip cameras are simple to use and can be used by both teacher and student. Flip cameras provided teachers with the ability to freeze-frames and save individual photos as well as record videos. Teachers can digitally catalog demonstrations of solving math problems from the board or using manipulatives. These can also be used to record digital step-by-step demonstrations on how to use centers in the classroom. A teacher can have students model what good reading partners look like or even how a process might look during a visit to the art or math center. Some other uses can include:

Digitally recording a field trip

Have student's record a book review

Reenact part of a story or a poem

Film a prediction of a book ending

Interviews with family or staff members for digital storytelling

Create commercials

Demonstrate safety procedures or lab experiment in Science

Act out a historical event or capture a speech in Social Studies

Demonstration of Science experiments or projects

Film activities or games played during P.E

Film students as they role-play for character education

Film tape of the lesson or student interaction for professional development

Film podcast for every reason

Voice Recorders

Not all students learn the same way, we have students at varying skill levels and some may not be able to write a story, but they can orally deliver one. Digital recorders can also aid English-language learners; they can use the device to practice pronunciation or make recordings of phrases or words.

Audacity

Audacity is a free, easy-to-use and multilingual computer program. It is an audio editor and recorder for Windows, Mac OS X, GNU/Linux, and other operating systems. You can use Audacity to record live audio or convert tapes and vinyl records into recordings.

Electronic Text-to-Speech Dictionary and Thesaurus

An electronic text-to-speak dictionary and thesaurus is a great resource. It can be beneficial to auditory learners, slow processors (need repetition), and struggling readers. Students type in the word and the mechanism will provide the correct spelling and/or the definition of that word. This technology is an excellent assist when working with students that have articulation difficulties; they can play the word repeatedly and have a model of the correct pronunciation.

Reading Pens

Students with learning disabilities may have difficulty reading printed words, but not recognizing spoken words. A reading pen enables users to scan, hear the text, and have word definitions read aloud with the product's integrated text-to-speech mechanism.

Smartboards

One of the most talked-about classroom necessities has become the ever-popular smartboard. A smartboard is a presentation device that interfaces with a computer. The computer images are displayed on the board by a projector, where the teacher/student can manipulate images and text. Software applications can then be controlled from both the computer and the board. Teachers have the ability to add notations, or emphasis by using a pen and or highlighter. A finger can be used as a mouse; the interaction is not just limited to the person at the board but can also involve another user at the computer. Once completed, documents, notes, and illustrations can then be saved, emailed or printed.

The integration of students with or without learning disabilities can be a daunting task. With the use of a smart board in your classroom, all students have the opportunity to be included as active participants in learning academic content while ensuring them opportunities to form social relationships, practice turn-taking, and form friendships with peers.

I recently got a smartboard installed in my classroom and it is great! The smartboard is a great way to project and display web pages, worksheets and conduct interactive lessons while keeping students highly motivated and engaged.

iPads

As a teacher in a 12:1 classroom, I must identify each of my students' strengths and weaknesses and come up with innovative ways to facilitate their learning through the use of conventional methods as well as ones that incorporate project-based learning and technology. One avenue I explored was the use of iPads. Check out this resource on using iPads inside the classroom.

Student Experiences with iPads

Here are the experiences of three of my students when given the opportunity to use iPads:

Tony

Tony is a second-grade student who struggles with writing. He finds it difficult to generate ideas that he may want to write about and also has an orthopedic impairment, which makes it difficult to hold a pencil for an extended period of time without discomfort. During writing, I allowed Tony to use image-based websites to get a visual starting point of something he would like to write about. When he found the images, we would save them in our photo library. Next, Tony used an iPad app that allowed him to make a book. He could add text and images using his finger. Tony loved this process and soon became independent in using the iPad. Once he completed the story, we were able to email the completed piece and print each page of his book.

Watching Tony complete this process permitted me to assess his ability to choose appropriate pictures that went along with the genre we were focusing on while noting his improved attitude toward writing when he was able to type instead of use paper and pencil. I began to see an increase in his usage of high-frequency words and improved punctuation. Tony began to manipulate font size when he wanted to use "an excited or very angry voice." The use of this technology became so second nature to Tony that he automatically would grab the iPad when he was being pulled for physical therapy services. He actually began to teach his service providers how to use it!

Abdul

Abdul is another student in my classroom who I introduced the iPad to during writing. Abdul enjoyed using the iPad to gather facts about his favorite animals and sports stats but did not enjoy using the iPad for his initial writing pieces. I noticed that Abdul, who generally finishes his writing pieces before the majority of his classmates, was taking a very long time to complete assignments. While observing Abdul it was easy to see why. Each time he made a spelling or grammatical error Abdul was unable to continue his writing, the "red squiggly line" (that indicates a grammatical error in a word processing app) made him anxious and was making his writing experience difficult. When I asked Abdul if he would rather use pencil and paper to complete his assignments, he was undecided. Abdul liked the look of the typed pages but didn't like to see each mistake he made highlighted. During a conference, Abdul and I decided that he would continue to write his stories on paper and use the iPad only when he was revising a piece. This strategy worked out great for Abdul. It took the pressure off so he was able to complete his assignments in a timely fashion and would opt to only use the iPad for pieces he was revising and publishing. His finished product would have the "neat and nice" appearance that he wanted.

Stevie

Stevie is a sophisticated writer: He uses the dictionary when he is unsure of the correct spelling of a word and is a fantastic artist. Stevie's illustrations look as if they came straight out of published children's books. When first introduced to the iPad, Stevie was excited and curious about all of the features. After about a week of using the iPad during writing, Stevie opted to return to the conventional pen and paper. "It's cool but I don't want it. I'll use the computer during center time," he said when asked why he didn't want to continue using the iPad.

When I dug a little deeper, he explained to me that "the story looks fake when I write it on the iPad." Stevie explained that he liked to write his words because he can "make all the letters good." He also expressed that the iPad didn't let him add the details in his pictures that he liked: "I can't make the worm in the bird's mouth small enough, then it doesn't look right and messes up my story."

When I showed Stevie that he could manipulate the drawing tool, he still wasn't sold. He explained that he relies on pictures when he reads books. "So my pictures have to be nice and look right," he explained. "So all my friends can use them if they don't know the word." WOW! After listening to such a logical answer I did not try to persuade him any further.

iPads: Benefits and Useful Apps

The use of iPads can provide all children the ability to develop communication skills, build vocabulary and write without the conventional methods of pen and paper. iPads can also be beneficial to children who receive services such as occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech and language therapy. Children can use low-cost apps to create digital stories, which can include their individual drawing, clip art, or personal photos. The iPad has apps useful for children with autism, developmental disability, learning disability, emotional disability or other health impairments. The following apps would meet IEP goals for students classified as autistic and developmentally disabled. A common goal for students who are on the Autism Spectrum is to gain proficiency in their ability to answer questions that begin with, "Who," "What," "Where," "Why" and "How."

One great app that can support this goal is Super Why, which is a fully interactive app that has four different apps built into one. There is an auditory listening component as well as opportunities to follow directions. It can be beneficial to students who need assistance with staying on task.

Proloquo2go is another app that is tailored to students who have difficulty communicating. The app contains pre-set pictures that students select to convey their messages. The display is set up as a communication board or book, thus making it easy for students to respond to a peer or an adult.

Once teachers acclimate themselves with the ease and benefits of the iPad, students and teachers have armed themselves with a tool that can help make the education process fun and lets students feel good about using technology to support their individual needs and learning styles. This technology can spark engagement while providing a clear demonstration to the student of the how, process, and procedure rather than just supplying them with one avenue to reach the right or wrong answer.

Academic Goals

Writing goals

Depending on grade and skill level, writing goals may range from pre-schematic scribbles to being able to write a simple sentence or detailed paragraph-through the use of a keyboard and/or an assistive technology device. The iPad can be used to provide writing apps or "note-taking" apps. PaperDesk allows handwriting or a microphone to record and write text with different colors. Students can also import pictures to their work.

Math Goals

Some apps that can provide support in meeting math goals are, Telling Time HD which provides the opportunity to read a digital or analog clock while providing telling time to the minute. Jungle Coins is an app that allows the teacher to set levels for the student, including activities which include making change, comparing change, counting change, and identifying coins.

Reading Goals

Identifying sight words is a key component in students gaining reading fluency. Some apps that support this are Word Wall HD, which is comprised of four activities in a game format. Students are provided with the opportunity to create their own word wall. Another is Kids Learn Sight Words which allows students to record the word, write the word, and use it in a sentence. When working with goals which include inference. "Reading for Detail" and "Reading for Inferences" provide students with a short paragraph and require them to answer questions. The answers are recorded on a bingo card, making the app both fun and engaging. The skill level can be selected to meet the individual needs of the students.

Low-Tech Options

The following is a list of low tech options for use in the classroom:

Getting Money for Technology

Donors Choose

Many teachers in my school have had projects funded through Donors Choose. One teacher has a listening center which helped her students who were struggling with getting through independent reading time. Another received a fully stocked art center, including rolls of butcher paper, paint, stencils, glue, collage materials, and an easel. A third teacher received a full leveled library which allowed her children to frequently book shop for new books.

Receiving donors choose items is exciting not only for you, the classroom teacher, but for your students as well. When that box arrives it feels like Christmas morning. The experience of Donors Choose is also a great way for your children to see the positive generosity of people who want to see our children succeed and are willing to give unselfishly to a group of children that they have and may never meet.

Once your project is funded writing thank you notes from each of your students allows them the opportunity to practice their writing skills, and is also a great time to integrate some technology into your classroom. One idea might be to have your children video chat with the person who funded their project or even shoot some digital footage of the children using the materials. Email the video to the individual/s who helped to fund your wish!

Grant Writing

Another way to get technology for your classroom can be through the process of grant writing. Here is a great resource on grant writing for teachers.

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Integrating Technology in the Classroom - Inclusive Classrooms Project

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Flip Cameras The flip cam has been one of the most beneficial and inexpensive purchases I have ever made as a teacher. We have used the camera not only to film holiday celebrations, field trips, and class plays but to also record step by step procedural videos of some of our daily classroom routines.

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TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM - ppt download

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A Slideshow Covering Technology Integration

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A Slideshow Covering Technology Integration

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technology in the classroom integration of technology in teaching and learning.

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TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM Integration of technology in teaching and learning. - ppt download

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Why technology integration? The availability of new technology tools that can help the teacher in making teaching interesting and engaging The technology skills and knowledge that students gain in the classroom will create the foundation for the skills and knowledge they will need in the future.

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What is Successful Technology Integration?

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What is Successful Technology Integration?

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An article from Edutopia covering what successful technology integration is.

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What Is Successful Technology Integration?

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Well-integrated use of technology resources by thoroughly trained teachers makes twenty-first-century learning possible. From our Technology Integration Professional Development Guide.

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An article from Edutopia.

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Edutopia is a free source of information, inspiration, and practical strategies for learning and teaching in preK-12 education. We are published by the George Lucas Educational Foundation, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.

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Video on Using Technology to Enhance Learning

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Video on Using Technology to Enhance Learning

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Education Technology Blog | Future of Ed Tech Insiders | The best place for ed tech news, strategies, conference updates & more

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Gone are the days of a single computer class where we explored the Oregon Trail, searched for Carmen Sandiego or learned how to type with Mavis Beacon. With the ability to integrate technology into the classroom, teachers are now able to build individualized lesson plans and learning experiences that foster an inclusive learning environment for K-12 students at a variety of cognitive levels. In this article, we'll dive into some of the ways technology in the classroom is positively impacting the education system.

What is the Best Way for Educators to use Technology to Teach?

Technology in the classroom is best used when it is integrated seamlessly into the curriculum. Avoid situations where the technology feels like a special event or an add-on. Using technology should feel second nature and not as though it was an afterthought.

Simple ways to incorporate technology

Use a PowerPoint presentation to cover a topic

Post homework assignments online via a Learning Management System

Create an online classroom calendar with important upcoming dates

Have students work together on project-based learning via a Google Doc or similar collaborative resource

Assign students to add notes about each lesson on a classroom website that they help build

Though these tips may seem simple in nature, integrating technology in small ways ultimately helps prepare students for a digital-first world.

To find out more about technology in the classroom, join us at the next
Future of Education Technology Conference
How Technology Helps Students Learn

When implemented correctly, technology can become a force multiplier for students. From increased engagement in the classroom to helping students collaborate with their peers and teachers, ed tech is helping develop 21st century skills for students of all learning styles.

Students now have the ability to access the most up-to-date information on a given subject, play an interactive game that covers a subject or even watch a video to enhance their knowledge. Imagine learning about the Pyramids of Giza and then being able to virtually visit the Giza Plateau via Google Maps.

This keeps students engaged and looking forward to the learning process. Technology being incorporated in the classroom is helping foster a learning environment that eliminates the one- size-fits-all mentality and allows teachers to become more of an advisor and coach by creating personalized learning opportunities for their students.

Encouraging Digital Citizenship for Students

Digital citizenship skills are essential for students. When implemented into the classroom correctly, the negative effects of technology can be eliminated or greatly reduced. Digital citizenship refers to the responsible use of technology by everyone including how we act online, communicate with one another through devices and the frequency in which we utilize technology. These concepts are essential to students achieving digital literacy and can help prevent cyberbullying, keep them safe while online and prevent digital device addiction.

Final Thoughts

We've just scratched the surface on the ways technology is helping both teachers and students in the classroom. As technology evolves, teachers will be asked to adjust their teaching styles to these advancements and that also means students will have more in-depth, actionable education. The future of education technology is bright and it's up to teachers to not only embrace it but effectively incorporate and utilize it to enhance the teaching and learning process.
To learn more about education technology and how it's transforming the classroom, join us for the The Future of Education Technology Conference
About The Author

Future of Education Technology Conference

The Future of Education Technology Conference (FETC), the largest, national, independent education technology conference, annually attracts thousands of education and technology leaders from around the world. Delivering strategies and best practices for student success and schoolwide advancement, FETC is known as one of the nation's premier education technology events! Recognized for its outstanding program year after year, FETC provides CTOs, CIOs, Innovation Directors, Special Ed/Pupil Services Directors, Early Childhood Directors, Media Specialists, Technologists, Administrators and other Educators, the opportunity to explore the most effective integration of technology across the curriculum - from preK-12 - through premium sessions, intensive workshops, various concurrent sessions, live demonstrations of several hundred hardware and software products, plus much more. Visit www.FETC.org for more details.

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Future of Education Technology Conference

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Using Technology in the Classroom to Enhance Learning

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Gone are the days of a single computer class where we explored the Oregon Trail, searched for Carmen Sandiego or learned how to type with Mavis Beacon. With the ability to integrate technology into the classroom, teachers are now able to build individualized lesson plans and learning experiences that foster an inclusive learning environment for K-12 students at a variety of cognitive levels.