In my last post, I explained all of the different types of technology I would love to have in my future classroom. There are so many different pieces of technology that we can hope for and ask for in our classrooms, but why do we want these pieces of technology? Are these new toys actually going to assist in student learning?
The answer is yes. These devices we are hoping for in our classrooms can aid in student learning. They are not only used for students to play games on, they can be used to help each individual student learn and develop at their own rate!
Using technology is also a great differentiation technique, especially for those students that need a scribe or those who are very non-verbal. Students who have troubles presenting in front of others can tape themselves on the iPad and have the teacher grade them based on their presentation in the video, students can read right into a microphone for the teacher to evaluate and assess their reading skills, and type to free up the teachers hands!
Beyond all of these reasons, I came across an awesome article titles "10 Reasons Today's Students Need Technology in the Classroom." Among this list are many encouraging reasons to try and incorporate technology in the classroom. For example, some of the main reasons that stood out to me were:
- Great way to reach diversity in learning styles
- Helps prepare students for the real world environment
- Students become more responsible and take over their own learning
- Access to digital books and resources with a single click!
In today's society, technology is vital in education. Many teachers still believe that everything needs to be done with pen and paper, but the truth is the world is evolving around us, and so our the generation of students we are teaching. They are up-to-date with all of the latest technology and use it at home to complete their homework and assignments, so why not advance with our students and help them learn in a way they know best? "The fast-paced society in which we live requires one to change, evolve, and adapt as quickly as you can say “iPod.” 21st Century learning is no exception to the rule. Classrooms across Canada are embracing change, and integrating new aspects of technology into curriculum. While humans are prone to resist change, the exciting new possibilities of technology in education should be explored. The importance of staying connected and learning to adapt to a technology-driven society is more relevant than ever" (Technology in the classroom).
Incorporating technology into the classroom also frees up more up the teachers time. "In a typical high school a student has access to a teacher 40 minutes per day. That means she has access to that teacher 5% of her waking day, and even that time is shared with 25 classmates. She has access to the Internet 100% of the time. That's 20X better.Technology is no substitute for an inspiring teacher. However, on-line materials are far more available. Twenty times more" (Ten reasons why technology is vital to education). Using technology allows the teacher more time to walk around the classroom and help out more students, more frequently instead of being with one student for most of the class, not giving the help to all of the other students that need it.
Now, what tools would I include in my classroom? The first thing would be an iPad. iPads allow access to so many different apps and learning assistances. The possibilities are endless. Students can take an iPad back to their desk and still work independently at their own pace. "The iPad in the classroom brings education to life. Children have endless access to valuable information such as a dictionary and thesaurus, which previously were only available in printed format. Interactive technology makes learning more engaging and memorable. Tools such as audio and video recorders can change the way that learning takes place and homework is completed. So what if all children in a school were given an iPad to use in class and take home with them?" (iPads in the Classroom). Allowing students to have access to something like an iPad, or any other tablet, allows them to explore the world with their own hands. Different students can use different Apps based on their learning levels, and record things for their teacher, or even parents to see!
The next piece of technological equipment I would have in my classroom is the SmartBoard. The SmartBoard allows for interactive lessons, allowing the student's to physically take part in the learning. Students can use the SmartBoard to move objects around, sort, play games, write etc.. Many fun smart board lessons can be found at smartboardexchange.com. Smart Boards are becoming an essential component of every classroom. Some reasons for this trend is that:
(Using Smart Boards in the Classroom). SmartBoards are a fun way to engage students in your lessons, allowing for them to take part in fun, interactive ways!
Overall, there are so many valuable reasons to include technology into the classroom. There are so many benefits to both the teacher and the students. It helps prepare students for the working world they will soon face, and gives the teacher more time and freedom to help all of the students she/he wants to help! Technology can be used for differentiation purposes, and even allows students to email their work home and finish it on their own computer or tablets. Bottom line, if technology can be included into the classroom, even if it only means computer class once or twice a week, it should be treated as a very valuable experience!
"The Ten Fundamental Reasonsfor Technology in Education." Ten Reasons Why Technology Is Vital to Education. N.p., Nov. 2007. Web. 02 Feb. 2015.
Wainwright, Ashley. "10 Reasons Today's Students NEED Technology in the Classroom." SecurEdge Networks. SecurEdge Networks, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2015
Decairos, Reanne. "Curriculum Services Canada." Curriculum Services Canada. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2015
"IPads in the Classroom." IPads in the Classroom. BBC Active, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2015.
"Using Smart Boards in the Classroom." Professional Learning Board RSS. PLB, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2015.
The answer is yes. These devices we are hoping for in our classrooms can aid in student learning. They are not only used for students to play games on, they can be used to help each individual student learn and develop at their own rate!
Using technology is also a great differentiation technique, especially for those students that need a scribe or those who are very non-verbal. Students who have troubles presenting in front of others can tape themselves on the iPad and have the teacher grade them based on their presentation in the video, students can read right into a microphone for the teacher to evaluate and assess their reading skills, and type to free up the teachers hands!
Beyond all of these reasons, I came across an awesome article titles "10 Reasons Today's Students Need Technology in the Classroom." Among this list are many encouraging reasons to try and incorporate technology in the classroom. For example, some of the main reasons that stood out to me were:
- Great way to reach diversity in learning styles
- Helps prepare students for the real world environment
- Students become more responsible and take over their own learning
- Access to digital books and resources with a single click!
In today's society, technology is vital in education. Many teachers still believe that everything needs to be done with pen and paper, but the truth is the world is evolving around us, and so our the generation of students we are teaching. They are up-to-date with all of the latest technology and use it at home to complete their homework and assignments, so why not advance with our students and help them learn in a way they know best? "The fast-paced society in which we live requires one to change, evolve, and adapt as quickly as you can say “iPod.” 21st Century learning is no exception to the rule. Classrooms across Canada are embracing change, and integrating new aspects of technology into curriculum. While humans are prone to resist change, the exciting new possibilities of technology in education should be explored. The importance of staying connected and learning to adapt to a technology-driven society is more relevant than ever" (Technology in the classroom).
Incorporating technology into the classroom also frees up more up the teachers time. "In a typical high school a student has access to a teacher 40 minutes per day. That means she has access to that teacher 5% of her waking day, and even that time is shared with 25 classmates. She has access to the Internet 100% of the time. That's 20X better.Technology is no substitute for an inspiring teacher. However, on-line materials are far more available. Twenty times more" (Ten reasons why technology is vital to education). Using technology allows the teacher more time to walk around the classroom and help out more students, more frequently instead of being with one student for most of the class, not giving the help to all of the other students that need it.
Now, what tools would I include in my classroom? The first thing would be an iPad. iPads allow access to so many different apps and learning assistances. The possibilities are endless. Students can take an iPad back to their desk and still work independently at their own pace. "The iPad in the classroom brings education to life. Children have endless access to valuable information such as a dictionary and thesaurus, which previously were only available in printed format. Interactive technology makes learning more engaging and memorable. Tools such as audio and video recorders can change the way that learning takes place and homework is completed. So what if all children in a school were given an iPad to use in class and take home with them?" (iPads in the Classroom). Allowing students to have access to something like an iPad, or any other tablet, allows them to explore the world with their own hands. Different students can use different Apps based on their learning levels, and record things for their teacher, or even parents to see!
The next piece of technological equipment I would have in my classroom is the SmartBoard. The SmartBoard allows for interactive lessons, allowing the student's to physically take part in the learning. Students can use the SmartBoard to move objects around, sort, play games, write etc.. Many fun smart board lessons can be found at smartboardexchange.com. Smart Boards are becoming an essential component of every classroom. Some reasons for this trend is that:
- It can accommodate different learning styles. Tactical learners can use the screen and learn by touching and marking at the board, audio learners can have a discussion and visual learners can observe the teaching on the board.6
- It is neater and does not have the cleanliness hassle and is therefore easier to maintain.
(Using Smart Boards in the Classroom). SmartBoards are a fun way to engage students in your lessons, allowing for them to take part in fun, interactive ways!
Overall, there are so many valuable reasons to include technology into the classroom. There are so many benefits to both the teacher and the students. It helps prepare students for the working world they will soon face, and gives the teacher more time and freedom to help all of the students she/he wants to help! Technology can be used for differentiation purposes, and even allows students to email their work home and finish it on their own computer or tablets. Bottom line, if technology can be included into the classroom, even if it only means computer class once or twice a week, it should be treated as a very valuable experience!
"The Ten Fundamental Reasonsfor Technology in Education." Ten Reasons Why Technology Is Vital to Education. N.p., Nov. 2007. Web. 02 Feb. 2015.
Wainwright, Ashley. "10 Reasons Today's Students NEED Technology in the Classroom." SecurEdge Networks. SecurEdge Networks, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2015
Decairos, Reanne. "Curriculum Services Canada." Curriculum Services Canada. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2015
"IPads in the Classroom." IPads in the Classroom. BBC Active, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2015.
"Using Smart Boards in the Classroom." Professional Learning Board RSS. PLB, n.d. Web. 02 Feb. 2015.