top of page

Technology in the Classroom

Many of today’s students are entering the classroom as computer-literate individuals. Still, I believe in incorporating technology into my classroom to have them develop the necessary skills they will need to have digital literacy. Ultimately, this would not be a success without firstly exploring digital citizenship and essential safety guidelines with my students. Once having done so they can communicate with people from around the world; as they write, read, explore, and create safely using a variety of technologies as digital tools.

 

While I do find it to be a challenge, I also find it to be an exciting task to stay up-to-date on technological advancements for my classroom. Here are some methods that I will use to incorporate technology daily into my classroom as I turn it into a Web 3.0 environment.

  • Private class webpage

    • Up-to-date digital portfolios are available

    • Up-to-date photographs of the classroom are available

    • Allows parents and students to stay aware of what is to be done and what is happening in the classroom

 

  • Skyping with schools and specialists from around the world

    • Learning about different cultures

    • Virtually visiting areas of the world and museums

 

  • Technological documentation for reflections

    • Digital camera

    • Digital portfolios

    • Video recording device

    • Voice Thread application

Below is a document that further explains what my classroom looks like in regards to technology. The document is a note for parents that I hand out at the beginning of the school year. With its help the parents have access to inclass activities and are informed in regards to technology use within my classroom.

I will incorporate technology into my classroom by using apps that support the L.A.D.D.E.R inquiry model.

 

Launch a lesson:

  • YouTube – Introduce a topic with a video.

  • Bit Strips –  Introduce a topic with a personalized comic strip

  • Ted Talks – Set of conferences that offer discussion topics as they address diverse opinions and beliefs

 

Access information:

  • Safari – Web browser

  • Dictionary – Provides definitions and synonyms

  • Skype – Video call with people from around the world

  • Google Earth – A virtual globe, map and geographical information program

  • QR Code Reader – A barcode that is useful as they links students to extra information and save them from needing to type URLS into their iPads

 

Develop ideas:

The students will develop their work using apps such as these.

  • Sticky Board – Easy to use note board

  • World Collage – Collage themed pictures and thoughts

  • Sound Notes – Create notes, format notes, and link notes together

  • Ever Note – Ever Note is an app to help students develop note taking skills

 

Demonstrate learning:

Students will demonstrate their understanding and learning using apps such as these.

  • iMovie – Video editing software

  • Word Press – This is a great beginners blogging tool

  • Videolicious – This app is great for making videos on the go

  • Puppet Pal – This app makes narrative story making easy and fun

  • Voice Thread – This app is a great tool that allows students to combine images, text, and video to create a multimedia slide show

  • Bit Strips – This app allows for a teacher to bring comics to the classroom with educational software that helps students create, share and collaborate

  • Toontastic – This app allows students to create their own cartoons, plays, or puppet shows. It also explains the different parts of a story by using the story arc.

 

Evaluate:

Using student’s final production that they demonstrated their learning in, I will evaluate their work. They will turn in their work to me using one of the follow apps.

  • Dropbox – A file syncing service located in the cloud.

  • Wikispaces – This app offers a workspace where my students and I can communicate and work on assignments. It makes it is easier to manage class activities and online resources in one place for the students.

  • Quizlet – allows teachers and students to turn what their teaching/learning into fun study materials, quizzes, and games.

 

Reflect:

Students will reflect upon their work using apps such as these. Their reflections will be posted on the class webpage, blog or on the class twitter page.

  • Camera – Video recordings of students self-reflection thoughts

  • Voice Thread – Voice commentary application that allows students to reflect on their work

  • Twitter – Students can express their thoughts regarding their work using this social media application

  • Kid Blog – Students can comfortably post their reflections on this app considering it is a secure, private blogging platform created specifically for educational use

 

Ultimately, I believe that technology should be used as a tool for evaluation and not simply as a hook to a lesson.

 

 

To best assist my ESL students in their development of the English language I created a website for them to use from home. On the site parents have access to all the work we will be doing in the ESL class (themes, vocabulary, notions). This allows for the parents to review some of the material with the students. On the site I also offered parents suggestions on ways they could further help their child develop in English.

 

Click on the following button to open up my ESL classroom website! Common, have a peak!  

bottom of page