Technology in YOUR classroom?

Between my Capstone Paper and my final paper for the course I've been taking these past 4 weeks, I've written 30 pages. So, I apologize for my lack of posts (I like to pretend millions of people read my blog, instead of the actual 2 or 3). My paper for my class wass on Technology in the Classroom. Unfortunately, most of the journal articles for the use of technology in the primary grades would have cost me $23 dollars each to view. So, I looked at other articles that were free to me through my account with my grad school through Ebsco. I thought what I learned from these articles might help some other teachers, so I am posting my hand-out to my presentation below.


Sources
Boling, E., Castek, J., Zawilinski, L., Barton, K., & Nierlich, T. (2008). Collaborative
literacy: Blogs and internet projects. The Reading Teacher, 61(6).
Hogan, K., & Gomm, D. (2000). How can technology enhance children’s natural
curiosity. Computers in the Schools, 16(34).
Kramer, S. (2008). 7 ways to bring today’s tech into your classroom. Instructor,
118 (6).
Martineau, P. (2009). Teaching with technology: The communications revolution
reaches students where they live. Education Digest, 74 (7).
Regan, B. (2008). Why we need to teach 21st century skills: And how to do it.
Multimedia, Internet & Schools, 15(4).

Support for using technology in education:
• Studies show that 80% of people need to learn different skills than they did 20 yrs ago. 90% of those people believe that teaching 21st century skills is essential to our country’s economic success.
• Students learn problem-solving skills, how to communicate effectively, and share responsibility through the use of technology in the classroom.
• Allows for authentic assessment. Teaches skills that apply to the real world and future careers. • Engages students because much of their lives outside of school is related to technology. Hands-on learning.

Ideas for using technology in the classroom:
• Create units of study using technology. For example, study puppies and kittens by bringing in animals, record observations, use Smartboard for graphing, allow students to type up notes, and use technology to create stationary or pictures for stories about animals.
• Blogging: Allow students to respond in comments to question posed by blog. Use blog to post stories, book reviews, and even podcasts. Also can be used to inform teachers and parents about homework and schedules.
• Podcasts: Students create their own podcasts as a response to what they have learned. Martineau suggests Project LIVEfor teachers to learn how to make and teach how to make podcasts. Also, Audacity can be used to create audio files for podcasts.
• Videos can be used for creative purposes as a way for students to report what they have learned. Suggested resources: Apple’s iMovie, Animoto , Avidemux, Teachertube, and VirtualDub.
• Wikis can be used for large projects without the use of html. Excellent way of creating projects with classrooms in other parts of the world.
• Social networks: Students can respond to class questions, state opinions, post work. Similarly, students can create profiles for characters or people from history. Suggested resources: Epals and Saywire which have been created for students. If neither of these fit your needs, you can create your own social networking site if you use a free open-source social networking program such as Elgg.