Great Ways to Get Technology in the Classroom!

As a future teacher, I strongly believe that it is important to constantly be finding new and interesting ways to involve technology in the classroom. Technology presents teachers with endless opportunities to make their classrooms as efficient, effective, engaging and enhanced as possible. Through the eBook, "101 Ways to Ditch the Textbook" by Matt Miller and the different stories of teachers all over the country on Edutopia, I have seen a few of the many ways that technology can enhance my classroom.

Miller's "101 Ways to Ditch the Textbook," gave teachers great ideas on how to use specific tools, websites and apps in their day-to-day lesson plans. I specifically found the use of Google Drawings interesting. Google Drawings are interactive graphic organizers that teachers can either give their students already filled out with information or blank, giving them the task to complete them. This tool is incredibly effective because teachers can create word webs, flow charts and concept maps and save them and have students edit them for homework, in class activities, etc. I think this would help students be more engaged when reading books in English class where they have to later go on Google Drawings and create a character chart. This is only one of the many ways that I can see this tool being used in my classroom.

I also thought that the idea of using Google Hangouts in the classroom was a great tool to have in the classroom. Google Hangouts allows for teachers to create live videos where students can log on during the lesson they are teaching, and students can ask questions by sending them into the teacher. Once the teacher is done with the live video, it is automatically saved and uploaded onto YouTube. Google Hangouts allows for students to have access to lessons outside of class which could be helpful if a student is sick or if there is a snow day. The live aspect of this tool allows for students to stay engaged with the lesson even though it is online. While the teacher is not physically in the classroom with the student he can still keep students engaged by requiring them to ask questions. This is an efficient mode of teaching because it allows for lessons to be saved online to go back to for future reference and because it allows for teachers to teach without actually being in the classroom.

One of my favorite apps that can be used in classrooms and is suitable for all ages is Kahoot. Whether you are teaching second graders spelling words or quizing tenth graders on their reading homework from the night before, Kahoot is a great way to get students involved during a lesson. Kahoot allows for teachers to create online game show quizzes that require each student to log onto the website and create a name. Each question gets displayed on the board and students get the option to pick from different answers. Kahoot keeps track of how many students get each question right and which student is winning. This is effective and efficient because it immediately shows teachers how well the students are comprehending the material given to them and whether or not they need to go over certain topics. I was talking to my cousin who is in sixth grade and he was telling me all about how much he loved when teachers use this app because it always is a competition between him and his buddies to see who is going to win. Kahoot keeps students engaged by presenting them with a fun and different approach to quiz taking.

In Mr Pronovost's elementary school classroom he uses technology like iPods and Macs to enhance his students learning. He uses software like Planet Turtle and Dream Box to help his students learn math. Mr. Provonost likes to use this technology because it gives students immediate feedback. Instead of a students having to wait for the teachers approval when working on a worksheet, software like Planet turtle allows students to have their answers checked immediately and then move on if their answers is correct. Because students are working alone on personal computers, where they are constantly mastering concepts and moving forward to learn new ones, they are kept engaged. It is also extremely efficient for the teacher because he can focus on which students need more assistance and help. According to Mr. Provonost the different softwares proved to be effective in his classroom improving students abilities at a faster rate and improved overall scores.

 Another story that I found interesting on Edutopia was Mr. McIntosh's integration of Kahn Academy in his tenth grade math class. In his classroom each student has a computer where they use Khan Academy to learn different Algebra concepts. Mr. McIntosh has his students work on problems through Kahn because it allows him to monitor students progress, see where students are struggling the most and it gives students the responsibility to be in charge of their own success. When students use Kahn Academy they are presented with a random math problem, from their they have the ability to ask for a hint, which gives them a step by step explanation on how to solve the problem. If they are still struggling they can watch the video. Once they have used all these resources they are then encouraged to ask the teacher for help. Through these different methods, the students are constantly engaged and challenged. It is both effective and efficient for the teacher because he can check individual students progress in different lessons or look at specific problems to see how students are doing. Again, this method of teaching allows the teacher to direct his attention to those students who need the most help.  Kahn Academy improves the classroom for both students and teachers, I definitely look forward to using this tool in my future classroom.

Lastly, in Ms. Dalesio's classroom, she encourages her fifth grade students to collaborate and work together to create projects on the computer. Ms. Dalesio utilizes technology in her classroom by having her students create videos on iMovie about  personal stories, a poems, a concepts they want to teach someone or their life story. Through this project, she sees her students help each other and share ideas. Not only is she improving her student's technological skills, but she is also improving their writing, speaking and collaborative skills. My favorite part of the video is when Ms. Dalesio says, "its not just me teaching them, we are all here to teach each other," meaning she wants to encourage her students to participate and contribute to their own learning.  I believe that it is really important to remind your students the importance of being a life long learner and I hope to emphasize this concept in my future classroom.

After this weeks discussion and doing research outside of class I have learned how important it is to make sure that technology integration in the classroom improves the quality of learning during lessons. Through the videos on Edutopia I have seen how effective and efficient classrooms can be with technology. From the eBook, "101 Ways to Ditch that Textbook," I have learned how to use different tools from Google Hangout to Kahoot to engage students in different ways both inside and outside of the classroom. Having access to these different tools in the classroom benefits both students and teachers in many ways that improve the overall learning environment of the classroom.