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| 7 ways to get funding and grants for technology in your classroom [Image]. (2013). Retrieved from http://nutmegeducation.com/2013/07/29/7-ways-to-get-funding-and-grants-for-technology-in-your-classroom/ |
In contemporary society, technology has become ever-present and advances in
technology are happening constantly. Technology provides us with new and
enhanced capabilities and has become a new way of thinking (Drake, Reid, &
Kolohon, 2014). The prevalence of technology globally has created a new culture
of learning; a culture in which technology can be used as a tool to engage students
and enhance their learning. Due to the increasing
advancements of technology, teachers have begun to include it in schools quite
heavily for activities such as keeping blogs, social networking, and student learning
through educational apps. Additionally, a growing number of school districts
now have policies in place to support students in bringing their own devices to
school for the purposes of learning (Drake et al., 2014). Students are even
beginning to take part in blended classrooms which includes an education
program delivered in part through online delivery and in part in a location
away from the home (Staker & Horn, 2012).
Technology works best when it facilitates
and enhances learning. One of the most interesting ways that
teachers have incorporated technology into the classroom that I have witnessed is
through an activity called “Mystery Skype.” School boards have begun to promote
classrooms that are global in nature (Drake et al., 2014). By collaborating
with other students from around the world, this is the perfect way to do this! “Mystery
Skype” is a global guessing game, devised by teachers, to be played between two
classrooms around the world (O’Connell, 2013). The goal of the activity is to
guess the location of the other class by asking them geographical questions in
a “20 Questions” style (Todd, 2015). Lessons must be completed before the
activity, as students must have prior knowledge about their local history and
geography so that they can
appropriately answer the questions that the other class asks. I believe that
this activity is great as it incorporates a variety of subjects, including
history, geography, and language. It also allows students to practice deductive
reasoning, inquiry, listening skills, and problem solving. At the same time, they learn about the culture, climate, history,
and the diverse population of another region and become more globally-educated
citizens.
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| Mystery skype [Photograph]. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.classroomquests.com/2013/03/mystery-skype.html |
This is an activity that I would really like to incorporate into my
future classroom as it allows students to become more technologically literate
and works to create citizens who value learning about the diversity in the
world. I think it would be important as the teacher to guide and facilitate,
while allowing the students to do the inquiry and problem solving on their own.
I know teachers who have incorporated this activity into their grade 6 class,
but I wonder, at what age is this appropriate to use in a classroom? Could it
be implemented for students younger than grade 6?
Additionally, the use of iPads in
classrooms to enhance learning is becoming more popular. This video shows some of the benefits of using iPads for learning in the classroom.
Why use iPads in education? [Video]. (2013).
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_6TcE4-65E
By using iPads,
students can explore, create, collaborate, and communicate (Drake et al.,
2014). In fact, some apps have proven to be transformational for educators. For example, iPad apps have had an influence on student work, collaboration,
differentiated instruction, and communication (Drake et al., 2014). I
have often been in schools that have class sets of iPads that teachers can sign out. Because
most activities on the iPad that I have seen have been done in pairs, students
are given an opportunity to collaborate and interact with peers to solve
interactive problems. Teachers can use the technology to provide students with hands-on
ways to learn through gaming and social networks. Below is a great link to some of the best educational iPad apps for students from K-6:
For example, apps such as iMovie and ThingLink can be used to create media presentations or used for project-based learning within the classroom and Garage Band could be used in music class for composition and arrangement.
One of the downsides related to including technology
in the classroom is that not all students or schools have equal access to
technology or the Internet. Teachers who are in schools in low-income communities or who have students
from low-income families may not have access to this kind of technology because
they are unable to afford it. This poses an issue as an important aspect of
education is equality; however, when it comes to technology, this is not the
case. Although I have not experienced this issue in the schools I have worked
in so far, I know that it is a very real issue and I wonder how teachers can
incorporate technology into their classes in different ways if they are lacking some of the resources. How can we advance towards a culture of learning through technology
when there is not equal access for all?
Additionally, as we move towards using technology
more in the classroom, it is extremely important that teachers teach students
about the ethical and responsible use of technology so that they can be digital
citizens. The following video provides some quick tips for teachers and explains why teaching digital citizenship is important in the twenty-first century:
Why teach digital citizenship? [Video]. (2011).
Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm5qka9cFTQ
On a related note, it is important to remind students to "THINK" before they use technology so that they become digital citizens.
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| Think poster [Image]. (2014). Retrieved from https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/1e/02/0d/1e020de9d7076cb9d71258b613601793.jpg |
Educators must embrace the use of technology in the classroom for instruction,
exploration, and assessment of learning as we move towards a highly
technological age. As future educators, we can professionally develop by
staying updated on new ways to incorporate technology
into the classroom so that our students can continue to become technologically literate individuals.
References
Drake, S. M., Reid, J. L., & Kolohon, W. (2014). Interweaving Curriculum and
Classroom
Assessment: Engaging the 21st Century Learner. Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press.
Common Sense Education [Common
Sense Education]. (2011, September 7). Why teach digital
citizenship? [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm5qka9cFTQ
James Long [James Long]. (2013,
June 11). Why use iPads in education? [Video file]. Retrieved
Staker, H., & Horn, M. B. (2012). Classifying K-12
Blended Learning. Innosight Institute.
O’Connell, J. (2013, September 10). Mystery skype for a
global adventure [Web log post]. Retrieved from
Todd, B. (2015, June 11). Mystery skype: Design phase [Web
log post]. Retrieved from
TeachThought Staff (2013). 44 education apps for K-6 open-ended learning on the iPad.
Retrieved from
7
ways to get funding and grants for technology in your classroom [Image].
(2013). Retrieved
Mystery
skype [Photograph]. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.classroomquests.com/2013/03/mystery-skype.html
Think
poster [Image]. (2014). Retrieved from https://s-media-cache-
ak0.pinimg.com/236x/1e/02/0d/1e020de9d7076cb9d71258b613601793.jpg
