Technology in the classroom

Meredith Greenfield
Fundamentals of Curriculum

Technology in the Classroom

"Teachers need to integrate technology seamlessly into the curriculum instrad of viewing it as an add-on, an afterthought, or an event."-Heidi-Hayes Jacobs

The advancement in technology has not only infiltrated our homes and businesses, but has made its way into our schools and classrooms. We have come a long way from overhead projectors and VHS tapes. The education and curriculum industry has taken full advantage of this increase in the use of technological instruments and applications. There are many new tools that are being used and will continue to be expanded on as the technology industry booms and collaborates with educators.

            There are different areas of the education industry that utilize these new technological instruments. One area of interest is the actual enahnced tools that are being used in the classroom. Some of these tools include:

Apple iPad- a touch-screen, tablet computer used as assistive technology for the classroom with educational applications.

Interactive Whiteboards- a chalkboard that acts as an interactive system that uses a touch-sensitive white screen, a projector, and a computer.

AudioBoo- a mobile & web platform that allows teachers and students to record and share audio for their educational purposes.

iClicker- classroom response device that allows teachers to be able to quickly poll students and get results in real time.

eBooks- book-length publication in digital form, consisting of text, images, or both, and produced on, published through, and readable on computers or other electronic devices.

                       

Along with the tools are certain applications and programs that educators/students/parents can use for learning and sharing. Some of these specific programs include:

Text-to-speech or speech-to-text applications- dictation tool that changes the spoken word into text or text into word, used on the iPad.

Diggio- social book-marking service that helps collect and organize anything on the web by book-marking, highlighting, taking notes, taking screenshots, taking pictures, and using documents. It allows you to treat the internet like a paper-based reading material.

Slide-Share- allows anyone to upload presentations, documents, and videos and as a sharing tool, as well as take advantage of materials that others have uploaded.

Popplet- sharing program for teachers and students that allows them to brainstorm ideas, create mind-maps, and collaborate with others.

Grockit- social learning tool that allows students to connect and learn from each other in online study sessions.

Socrative- student response system that engages students through games and exercises on any device they have available, and teachers can easily assess student progress and track grades.

There is also another area of technology that is being used for educational and curriculum-based purposes that helps teachers with lesson planning and resources for new and exciting projects for students. Some of these programs and websites include:

 Teachers Pay Teachers- website where teachers can sell their own class materials and lessons, as well as buy high-quality resources from other teachers.

Planboard- online tool that helps teachers organize their lessons by centralizing everything onto a computer. Lessons can range from broad yearly scopes, to weekly overviews, down to detailed reminders that you can gain access to anytime, anywhere.

StudySync- web-delivered product designed to increase reading, writing, and critical thinking with award-winning lessons aligned to the Common Core Standards for middle and high school.

MasteryConnect- online program that allows teachers to track and analyze how their students are performing with regard to state and common core standards.

Knewton- adaptive lesson planning program that helps teachers personalize learning content or individual students.

Quizlet- studying tool that teachers can utilize in order to promote better study skills and habits for their students.

            

            These programs and tools mentioned are only a glimpse of the type of resources that are available to be used in classrooms today. These lists and areas of technological improvement will only continue to grow over the coming years. For better or for worse, technology has invaded our classrooms and there are a variety of ways they can be positively implemented into the educational system.

For more information and resources visit:

http://www.techlearning.com/index

http://edudemic.com/