Technology as a Tool: Using
Technology for Communication and
Instruction
Levon Edwards
Alicia Davis
“Technology can play a huge role in
increasing educational productivity, but
not just as an add‐on or for a high‐tech
reproduction of current practice. Better
use of technology is not so much about
replacing educational roles as it is about
giving each person the tools they need to
be more successful. To do so, requires a
fundamental rethinking of the structure
and delivery of education in the United
States”
~Arne Duncan
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Purpose
To inform and share elements of
technology that can be added to
any lesson in any content area to
further engage students and aid
classroom communication.
Power of Technology Technology in Education has a positive effect on student
achievement.
◦ when implemented appropriately, the integration of technology into instruction has
positive effects on student achievement.
Correct implementation of technology in education is the key
◦ Effective technology integration requires leadership, support, and modeling from
teachers, administrators, and the community/parents.
The integration of technology in education provides students
with 21st century skills.
◦ In using technology for instruction and learning, students gain more than just
knowledge in core subject areas. They also acquire skills necessary to be
productive and competitive in the workplace, in higher education, and in military or
community service.
Research Findings- If technology is being effectively integrated
into teaching and learning it will have an positive impact on
increasing student achievement through test scores and the
acquisition of 21st century skills.
Blogging
Discuss course topics Display student work. Supplemental information. Create their own blogs. Book club
http://rockswayrock.blogspot.com/
http://www.pearsonschoolsystems.com/blog/?p=1050
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Science Blog Example from
screen shot
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Kim’s blog example
Journaling
Novel reading as an "outside" activity – online journaling creates published writers reflecting on a text
The scientific field journal becomes a multi-media exploration
Students are free to utilize their strengths and focus analysis in ways that makes sense to them
Website ownership and publishing makes the student the "expert" on the subjects or topics discussed in class
The journaling concept extends beyond the written word – a journal can be a multi-media collection of student progress and growth
Journaling Cont.….
Weebly website creation
Includes blog element
User-friendly with lots of options
Students can comment and post on each other's sites, in addition to linking and other interconnected responses
Connecting with the text and character analysis becomes second nature
Examples:
Main Page (prompts etc.)
http://cchsenglishwithsykes.weebly.com/
Student Examples
http://wickedgirlsdaphne.weebly.com/
http://blackduckenglish.weebly.com/
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Melissa’s screen shot
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WebQuests and Glogster
Glogster.com
◦ Create online bulletin boards
◦ Can be interactive and include media, videos, visuals and text
◦ EDU version allows registration of users by teacher – use multiple
email addresses to access more free student registrations
◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvC47fUANLk (Glogster in 90
seconds video)
WebQuests
- Inquiry-oriented lesson format in which most or all the information
that learners work with comes from the web.
- Save time – find WebQuests on the web: http://webquest.org
- http://www.zunal.com - WebQuest Maker
- http://teacherweb.com/tweb/webquests.aspx
Teaching with Instagram
Art and photography classes
Science - capture labs and write about results
FreeTech4Teachers
Connection to Common Core Standards – “Write
narratives to develop real or imagined experiences or
events using effective technique, well-chosen details,
and well-structured event sequences.”
Post pictures to Tumblr By: Aaron Morrison June, 2012
Extra! Extra!
CoolToolsforSchools
http://cooltoolsforschools.wikispaces.com/
Story Jumper
https://www.storyjumper.com/
Bookemon App
http://www.bookemon.com/book-profile/swimming/115793
Free Rice App
http://freerice.com/
Polleverywhere
http://www.polleverywhere.com/multiple_choice_polls/MTYzMTA
2ODk0NA
Socrative
www.socrative.com
Tinyurl.com: Free URL redirection service. Turns a long URL into a much shorter one.
http://tinyurl.com/45w8438
Firefox Add-On: Download videos from different websites easily with this shortcut
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/video-downloadhelper/
Sticky Notes: Free sticky and canvas service that requires nothing but a Web browser
http://en.linoit.com/
Pinterest – It’s Not Just for Moms!
Technology Groups
http://pinterest.com/natuniv/education-technology-group-board/
Science Experiments
http://pinterest.com/biologycorner/
Math Journaling
http://pinterest.com/cece09/math-notebook-or-journal-ideas/
Personal Historical Accounts
http://pinterest.com/all/?category=history
Parent Communication Resources Weebly – Class website
◦Post announcements, student work, homework, etc.
Google Docs
◦Google “Teacher Crib Sheet for Docs – Google”
◦http://www.freetech4teachers.com/p/google-tools-tutorials.html
◦http://www.freetech4teachers.com/2010/03/free-33-page-guide-google-for-teachers
Online Blogs and Journals
◦Allow parents to see what students are doing in the classroom
◦Encourage collaboration between home and school
Classroom Dojo
◦http://www.classdojo.com/
◦ Post homework and updates; resources and links
Remnd101.com
Kikutext
◦https://kikutext.com/
Communication Cont…
Edmodo*
◦ https://www.edmodo.com/
Livebinders
Mybigcampus.com*
Schoology.com
Chatzy*
Google+ Hangouts*
* Have mobile apps
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For Teachers PowerPoint Prezi VoiceThread Textbook resources Slidechare.net Digitak Bloom’s ◦ http://faculty.indstate.edu/spenney/bdt.htm
Flocabulary ◦ http://www.flocabulary.com/
Too Loud Padagogy Wheel ◦ http://www.unity.net.au/padwheel/padwheelposter.
For the Student
Timelines ◦ http://www.timetoast.com/
Comic Strips ◦ http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/ ◦ http://www.toondoo.com/
Cartoon Movie ◦ http://goanimate.com/
Hints
Work with Technology Facilitator or other teachers
Use your knowledge of students' reading levels and computer abilities
Set up BEFORE the lesson and enter student names (if possible)
Use ONE user name and password for all your "school technology"
Create a schedule and post frequency guidelines