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Skills and concepts practice.

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IXL | Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish

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IXL is the world's most popular subscription-based learning site for K-12. Used by over 12 million students, IXL provides personalized learning in more than 8,500 topics, covering math, language arts, science, social studies, and Spanish. Interactive questions, awards, and certificates keep kids motivated as they master skills.

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Technology tools for a collaborative classroom environment by TULANG, CATHERINE

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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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Finding different ways to use technology with students.

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Finding creative ways to use technology in the classroom can both make your life easier as a teacher and boost student excitement levels and engagement with lessons. From helping with communication among teachers and students (as well as peer-to-peer), to organizing curriculum calendars, to enhancing presentations and lessons with media and visuals, there is no limit to the ways to use technology in the classroom to create an enriched learning environment. If you're looking for ideas of exactly how to use technology in the classroom to enhance learning, some examples include:

Gamified learning

Digital field trips

Integrate social media

Gather student feedback

Creating digital content

Using a shared, online classroom calendar

Review and critique webpages

Incorporate video and multimedia into lessons and presentations

Online activities for students who finish work early

1. Gamified Learning

To this day, I give all credit for my skill in typing to time spent playing typing games in the computer lab of my elementary school. Not only were the games incredible, and incredibly engaging programs for teaching students typing skills, they made using a computer fun and exciting for me and set the foundation for all other computer knowledge I've gained since. Learning can and should be fun and using technology for gamified learning in your classroom can be advantageous to achieving that goal. And while learning software can be a great teaching tool, gamified learning can also be as simple as creating a virtual scavenger hunt by coming up with a list of questions for students to search and find the correct answers for and adding students to pairs or groups to encourage collaboration and teamwork!

2. Digital Field Trips

An increasingly popular, useful, and cost-effective tool for teachers searching for new ways to use technology in the classroom is taking digital field trips. Google Streetview and other similar apps allow you to virtually explore parks, forests and even national and international landmarks from the comfort of your classroom. Virtually experience the view from the Statue of Liberty or hike through the Grand Canyon to get students excited to learn about a location or subject and extend learning beyond the page!

3. Integrate Social Media

Because students already spend so much of their time on social media, integrating its use into your classroom is among the most innovative ways to use technology in the classroom by connecting students to curriculum, classroom resources, and one another. Create a Facebook group specifically for your class where you post discussion topics or develop unique classroom Twitter hashtags students can use to discuss lessons or ask questions!

4. Gather Student Feedback

The true test of any classroom structure and/or curriculum is how well it helps students learn, and getting feedback from students is vital to assessing this, determining what is and isn't working, and addressing problems and confusion as they arise. Use online surveys and polls to perform daily or weekly check-ins with students to get their opinions on lessons and address lingering questions or concerns. Expand on the usage of Twitter hashtags by having students tweet their feedback and questions with a classroom hashtag.

#QTNA (questions that need answers!)

5. Creating Digital Content

Creating digital content related to the things they are learning is a great way for students to display their individual creative talents as well as showcase learning. As with any other project, the process of creating content is most effective when students are able to express themselves in ways that highlight and accommodate their personal strengths and learning/communication styles. Provide options for students to express themselves through blogs, videos, podcasts, eBooks, flyers and other digital art, or any other means they feel most comfortable. Respecting each student's individuality and needs for creative expression helps them flourish as learners.

6. Using a Classroom Calendar

Develop a shared online calendar for your classroom through Google Calendar or a similar program for posting important updates. Post assignment due dates and classroom events (such as field trips and guest speakers) in one easily-accessible location for both teachers and students. Go a step further and share the calendar with parents to keep them connected and engaged with their child's learning.

7. Review and Critique Webpages

While we know you can find almost anything on the internet, we also know that much of what you may find is not reliable information from reliable sources. I remember being told frequently by teachers and professors "Wikipedia is not a reliable source" when doing research papers, but can't recall a single instructor who explained why. Empower your students with the digital literacy to analyze and discern reliable web pages and sources from unreliable ones by reviewing them together, developing and communicating standards for what makes a good source.

8. Video/Multimedia Lessons and Presentations

Bring presentations to life for students by incorporating visual effects, photos, videos, and music into them. Developing slideshows and digital presentations, playing music or a video for background and context while presenting, or by inviting virtual guest speakers to engage with your class via programs designed for conference calls (such as: Skype, Google Hangouts, and Facetime) are all fun and creative ways to boost engagement with lessons while teaching the benefits of technology and multimedia use.

9. Online Activities For Students Who Finish Work Early

Set up learning stations to encourage and support students working at their own pace. If a student finishes an assignment early, rather than being stuck waiting for other students to catch up or class to end, students can extend and enhance their learning by visiting a learning station and watching videos, playing learning-based games, or exploring other online activities related to their learning.

Why Students Benefit From Using Technology in the Classroom

Integrating technology into classrooms allows for more (and more effective) communication between students and teachers, as well as students and peers and parents and teachers, all of which are vital to students' academic success. Using technology in your classrooms also creates space for students to have a voice in their learning. Students are empowered to take responsibility of their learning through giving feedback on lessons, participating in projects and learning activities that respect their individuality and having opportunities and support to learn and understand how to use technology creatively, effectively and safely.

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9 Unique Ways to use Technology in the Classroom

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Finding creative ways to use technology in the classroom can both make your life easier as a teacher and boost student excitement levels and engagement with lessons. From helping with communication among teachers and students (as well as peer-to-peer), to organizing curriculum calendars, to enhancing presentations and lessons with media and visuals, there is no limit to the ways to use technology in the classroom to create an enriched learning environment.

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How to be successful when adding technology into every day lessons and classes.

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Tips and tricks for using technology in the classroom.

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-Winston Churchill
What's the best way for educators to handle the always-changing, tech-saturated world of today? Embrace it! Whether you're looking to spice up your current lessons, catch students' waning attention before the next break, or start planning ahead for tactics to try next year, we want to help you put all of the strategies, resources, and inspiration circulating in the education community to full use! Use these 21 tips, tricks, and ideas as a starting point to experiment in your classroom:
Personalized Learning
1. Personalized learning has been one of the biggest education buzzwords over the past year-and with good reason! This infographic can help you get started by defining just what a personalized approach will look like in your classroom.

2. Learning today is all about student choice and flexibility. Check out these 4 Key Components of 21st Century Classroom Design and give your space a makeover to support those goals!
Professional Development
3. Students aren't the only ones who can benefit from personalized learning! Check out these 5 Best Practices for Personalized Professional Development and make your next staff development day a more effective (and appealing) experience for everyone involved.

4. Check out an education-focused podcast for great tips and professional development ideas! Not sure where to start looking? We put together this list of Six Podcasts Every Teacher Should Check Out.

5. Research how other educators, schools, and districts are finding success in their classrooms. Check out how Vincennes Community School Corporation is tailoring instruction to meet all of its students' needs!
Home-to-School Connection
6. Curate a class Pinterest account to organize ideas, offer students additional learning resources, and keep parents in the loop. Connect with Edmentum for lots of free content and classroom inspiration!

7. Go beyond traditional parent-teacher conferences-introduce and implement Academic Parent-Teacher Teams in your classroom!
Formative Assessment
8. Take full advantage of formative assessment strategies to put your student data to good use! Check out these 5 Unique Ways to Formatively Assess Your Class.

9. Get a better pulse on just how fully students are absorbing your lessons. Try one of these 5 Creative Strategies for Engaging Exit Tickets!
Classroom Community
10. Classroom environment has a big impact on student learning. Encourage collaboration and communication among your students with online tools like Study Island's Group Sessions or check out these 7 Tips to Build Classroom Community.

11. Encourage your students to embrace a growth mindset by celebrating both successes and learning experiences.

12. Sometimes, we all get burned out! Re-energize your student by giving brain breaks a try!

13. Create a classroom blog, and engage your students with a "question of the week" post. Need some blogging inspiration? Subscribe to Edmentum's blog!
EdTech Trends
14. Are your students prepared for success beyond the classroom? Diversify your curriculum, and help your students gain critical skills for success in the workforce with Career and Technical Education courses! Check out Edmentum's complete CTE library, including courses across all 16 National Career Clusters ®!

15. Give virtual reality a try in your classroom! Get started with these 5 ways to go beyond the hype!

16. Introduce your students (and maybe yourself!) to coding! Don't worry-it's not nearly as intimidating as it sounds. The cross-curricular applications are endless, and there are lots of tools to help. Visit Code.org to get started or check out these strategies for Engaging High School Students in Computer Science Learning!

17. Getting tired of watching students walking around with earbuds always in? If you can't beat them, join them! Take a look at these 5 Tips to Engage Students Through Music.
Teaching Inspiration
18. Refresh the wall art in your classroom. Anchor charts are an outstanding visual tool to anchor learning-we've even got tips to help you avoid a #PinterestFail!

19. Stay focused on literacy! Understand the impacts that reading by the third grade can have on your students' academic careers.

20. We all need a little boost in motivation from time to time- share these 5 TED Talks with your students to reinvigorate their appetite for learning!

21. Short on funds to make your next great classroom idea a reality? Try applying for a grant! Plenty of dollars are there for the taking, and we have 4 tips to take the stress out of the application process.

Interested in finding out more about Edmentum's online resources to support teaching and learning, including our core and elective courses, tools for classroom practice and assessment, and our brand new Exact Path product for K-8 individualized learning? Check out all of our solutions to support student success here!

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Technology in the Classroom: 21 Tips, Tricks, and Ideas for Educators

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Whether you're looking to spice up your current lessons, catch students' waning attention before the next break, or start planning ahead for tactics to try next year, we want to help you put all of the strategies, resources, and inspiration circulating in the education community to full use!