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Dumas Tech: Integrating Technology in Lessons

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Dumas Technology Academy official video. Ms. Moss, fourth grade teacher, models how to integrate technology using the UbD WHERETO model.

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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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EducationWorld is pleased to present this article contributed by Jennifer L.W. Fink, who covers education for Parents, Home Education Magazine, Scholastic Instructor and OnlineSchools.com. She also writes a blog about boys and education.

Educational technology is everywhere. The trick is integrating it into the classroom in a way that's meaningful and fun. Here are some entertaining and unexpected ways to inspire your students with educational technology tools.

It's time to banish the traditional book report. Instead, work with students to create vibrant book trailers that capture the essence of a book.

Start by watching some professional-grade book trailers on YouTube, such as "Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever" by Jeff Kinney and "Hero" by Mike Lupica. Compare and contrast the book trailers to movie trailers. (Most students will be more familiar with movie trailers.) Discuss common elements of book (and movie) trailers. Then hop back online and watch some student-made book trailers, like the one a middle school student did for another Mike Lupica book, "Million Dollar Throw."

Have students work individually or in groups to create book trailers. Almost any movie-making software can be used to make a book trailer, including Window's Movie Maker and Apple's iMovie. Your students also may wish to share their personal knowledge of movie-making software. Detailed, step-by-step instructions can be found at Book Trailers for Readers.

You may already be familiar with TED talks, presentations from a non-profit organization devoted to "ideas worth spreading," but have you thought about using TED talks in your classroom? You can find a talk to complement virtually any subject. If you need some help getting started, check out 25 TED Talks Perfect for the Classroom. Use the talks as a jumping-off point for other discussions and assignments. For example, scroll down to number 9 in the list of 25 TED talks for the classroom--after hearing William Kamkwamba talk about how he designed a windmill to generate electricity for his village, challenge your students to create their own inventions. Or embark on a study of wind power throughout history.

Journaling, 21st century-style

Journaling is a great way to practice and improve writing skills. So why not experiment with some up-to-date journaling apps? iDiary for Kids, available for iPad and iPhone, is a free, fun journaling platform that may entice some reluctant writers. Other students may prefer a blog-style journal. But don't just stop at blog posts; encourage students to find and follow other blogs. A student who is passionate about cooking, for instance, might enjoy Order Up! With Logan, a blog written by a nine-year-old chef. Reading and commenting on others' blogs will give students additional reading practice and inspire future learning and blog posts.

Use Google Earth to take your students on virtual field trips. Whenever you're studying another part of the world (or country), fire up Google World and let your students zoom in -- closer, closer, CLOSER! Your students will be able to see for themselves what buildings and cities look like in other parts of the world. They'll be able to see the topography of the land firsthand, and they'll be able to manipulate the app to travel virtually up and down the streets of their destination. So instead of having students simply name notable landmarks in a city or state, have them go online and identify the landmarks in near real-time.

Journey North may bill itself as a "global study of wildlife migration and seasonal change," but it's much more than that. It's a powerful online learning tool that allows students to use their observation skills to contribute directly to the body of scientific data. It also stimulates students' curiosity and teaches students about animals, climate and culture while honing their academic skills.

Students (and classes) can track migrations of monarch butterflies, hummingbirds, grey whales and a variety of other animals. Weekly newsletters include lots of interactive learning suggestions, while the live cam allows students to observe animals and environment in real-time. A Journey North iPad app is also available; an Android version should be coming soon.

The best education technology transforms learning from a passive activity into an interactive one. Embrace the power of tech to inspire your students.

Education World®
Copyright © 2012 Education World

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Integrating Tech: Fun Activities | Education World

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EducationWorld is pleased to present this article contributed by Jennifer L.W. Fink, who covers education for Parents, Home Education Magazine , Scholastic Instructor and OnlineSchools.com . She also writes a blog about boys and education. Educational technology is everywhere. The trick is integrating it into the classroom in a way that's meaningful and fun.

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ITC - Understand Integrating Technology In The Classroom - Teacher Professional Development

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