Instructional Technology
Instructional Technology Devices
The most common device that schools offer, or even require students to have is a laptop. Beyond that, schools are also starting to invest in more mobile technology, such as the iPad or the Nook. Portable technology is starting to become a standard, because it can be transported and moved easily, from school to home.
It is for this reason that it is imperative our populations become familiar, confident and proficient in using instructional technology.
Incorporating Instructional technology during sessions is an innovative way to use the computer to motivate my students to learn. Using electronic means, I can teach my students how to search and interpret information and how to use computers for various projects.
Using Technology During Sessions
Writing and Blogging
One exercise to get students writing is to introduce them to blogs. The Blogs and Blogging: A Home Run for Teaching, Learning and Technology.
Math and Science in the Classroom
Technology when teaching math and science is imperative. The ability to show images on a screen may help students grasp concepts in a simplified manner. Computers can also help with computing and analyzing statistical data for math projects.
Other Applications of Technology
- To review previously learned concepts and strategies
- Introducing new skills
- Practicing
- Writing
- Speech to text
- Text prediction
- Typing
I use the technology or apps below because they are interactive, engaging and allows for creativity.
These 4 sites are all free online tools. These are fun ways to get students involved and it's anonymous. It can be used from students smartphones, computers, iPads- basically any electronic device. Teachers can use it as a warm up activity, to activate prior knowledge, as a quiz or as a wrap up.
Web Site: www.padlet.com
Padlet is a free application to create an online bulletin board that you can use to display information for any topic. You can add images, links, videos, and more.
Web Site: www.docs.google.com
Google drive has a drawing feature. This is a great way to have students write/draw/ illustrate the main ideas of what they have learned by using technology- making it fun and also creating visuals to solidify the learning.
APP: Write to the Core
Write to the core is designed to help beginning writers use technology to communicate in writing.
Web Site: www.chatterpix.com
ChatterPix Kids and ChatterPix from Duck Duck Moose are simple, elegant, and useful apps. Both allow students to take a picture or use an image saved to the camera. With a swipe of their finger, students can draw a mouth on any image. There is one button to press to record, and the mouth then animates with the recording.
Web Site: www.storyboard.com
A storyboard is a graphic organizer in the form of illustrations or images displayed in sequence for the purpose of pre-visualizing a motion picture, animation, motion graphic or interactive media sequence.
Word Prediction Software
Predictive text is an input technology that facilitates typing on a mobile device by suggesting words the end user may wish to insert in a text field. Predictions are based on the context of other words in the message and the first letters typed.
- Aurora Suite
- Speak Q
- Word Q