Using Educational Technology for Teaching and Learning Task 1

 A1

The purpose of this website is to aid teachers aiming to effectively integrate technology in the classroom.

I believe when used with the guidance of a teacher, technology can transform learning experiences into more personalized and efficient modes of learning for students.

Equitable use of technology ensures that all diverse groups of students receive the same access to technology regardless of race, socio-economic status, English language proficiency, academic achievement, or special needs. It is essential to provide all students with the same access to technology so all students have equal opportunities to reap the benefits technology offers in the classroom. (Dieckmann and Villarreal)

Ethical use of technology in the classroom entails keeping student information private and protected, following the guidelines for appropriate use of content in the classroom, following copyright regulations when sharing content in class, and ensuring that students are using appropriate content. Students must be protected from obscene or inappropriate content. These aspects are important as we must respect our students privacy in regards to their information, we must protect students from inappropriate content and we must understand copyright and fair use in order to determine which content we can use in class and educational settings. (“Ethics for Technology Use in the Classroom”)

Social responsibility in regards to technology entails teaching students to behave online in a moral, respectful, and responsible way. Students must understand that their actions online will have a digital footprint that will last forever. In order to use technology in a respectful way, they need also be taught how to communicate with people from all over the world in a considerate way, honoring each other’s differences and similarities, much as we do in real life. Students must be made aware of the ramifications of their actions online and informed that bullying online has the same consequences as in real life. (“How to Teach Kids Social Responsibility in a Connected World | Common Sense Education”)

A2

There are many resources educators can use to integrate technology in the classroom. Here are a few websites educators can use to start finding the technology that fits their needs.

EdSurge is a product database that teachers can use to search for educational products. They can search for any technology needed, be it for assessment, curriculum, or data management. After teachers search, they can find products that align with their needs and read the description of what the product offers. 

Common Sense Education is another resource for educators to explore technology options. This website provides lists of technology including websites, apps, and lesson plans. This website allows you to search for the type of tool you need, and filter according to the subject, grade, price, and purpose of the tool. 

A third resource teachers may utilize is Learn Platform. Learn platform is a website designed to help districts, schools, and teachers choose digital tools which best fit the needs and requirements of their learning goals and students.

A2b

Ways to integrate technology

One way teachers can integrate technology to better facilitate student learning is to integrate a technology station. This method can be implemented in any subject. For example, in a math class, students can rotate between math stations that contain math manipulatives, math timed tests on paper and a math center in which students complete math problems on a website such as MathPlayground.com on an iPad. Practicing math problems in different stations reinforces what the students are learning and allows them to try different methods to find which learning style best suits them. (Steinmetz)

Another option for integrating technology in the classroom is implementing a flipped classroom. A flipped classroom requires students to research and learn new concepts at home as homework, which frees up class time for hands-on activities and collaboration. (Steinmetz) 

A3

·         In a kindergarten math class, we will integrate technology to teach the following Indiana kindergarten math standard:  

·         (K.CA.4 ) Find the number that makes 10 when added to the given number for any number from one to nine (e.g., by using objects or drawings), and record the answer with a drawing or an equation.

·         To teach the concept of finding numbers that add up to 10, the students will play a math game on a website. In this game, students will use a model of 10 as a guide to find missing numbers that add up to 10. This game can be found on splashlearn.com.

• To informally assess students’ understanding of the skill, I will use a website that offers personalized math quizzes and data collection. This website will provide a math quiz based on the skill chosen, after students have completed the quiz the data is immediately stored for the teacher’s review. This will optimize students’ learning as it will allow the teacher to immediately check the students’ progress and update their quizzes according to the skill they need to practice. A website such as tailor-ed.com could be used.
• ·         To summatively assess the students I will use an app that allows the summative assessment to be customized by subject, question type, and level of achievement. This app will allow the teacher to customize a summative assessment which can be completed at school or at home. Once completed, the teacher will receive a detailed form report including standard, class, and district data for review. This will optimize student achievement by allowing teachers to review feedback after the assessment and customize additional lessons according to the student’s needs. A website such as Classtime can be used.

A4a

Self-directedness with technology

·     One example of a tool that promotes self-directedness is Khan Academy. Khan Academy promotes self-directed learning as it allows students to set their own goals, complete tasks of their choice, and monitor their own progress towards their goals. Seeing their completion of tasks and the accuracy of their work motivates students to take ownership of their learning and mastery of skills.

·     Another tool that promotes self-directness in students is IXL. IXL allows students to practice skills in various subjects, it provides individualized guidance and analytics. This promotes independent learning as students can choose which skill they would like to work on, and can see immediately the progress towards their goal. The immediate feedback allows them to correct their mistakes or seek teacher guidance right away. Putting this information in the hands of the students gives them ownership of their learning.  

A4b 

Assistive Technology

·     A form of assistive technology is text-to-speech. Text-to-speech is a software that turns written text into speech. This technology aids students who may have dyslexia, visual impairment, or intellectual disability. This technology meets these students’ needs as it allows them to hear the words read aloud in any educational setting or material.

·     Another form of assistive technology is a hearing assistive technology, which helps students with auditory disabilities or difficulties. These technologies enhance a student’s cochlear implant or hearing aid, allowing them to hear better in an educational setting.

  

Resources:

“Addition Games for Kindergarteners Online - SplashLearn.” Addition Games for        Kindergarteners Online - SplashLearn, www.splashlearn.com, https://www.splashlearn.com/math/addition-games-for-kindergarteners. Accessed 18 Aug. 2022.

“Classtime: The Clear Path to Student Success.” Classtime, www.classtime.com,      https://www.classtime.com/en/. Accessed 18 Aug. 2022.

“Common Sense Education.” Common Sense Education | Digital Citizenship Curriculum & EdTech Reviews, www.commonsense.org, https://www.commonsense.org/education/. Accessed 17 Aug. 2022.

Dieckmann, Jack, and Abelardo Villarreal. “Enriching Your Classroom Through Equitable Technology Integration - IDRA.” IDRA, www.idra.org, 6 May 2001, https://www.idra.org/resource-center/enriching-your-classroom-through-equitable-technology-integration/.

“Ethics for Technology Use in the Classroom.” Northwest Missouri State University Online, online.nwmissouri.edu, 20 Aug. 2018, https://online.nwmissouri.edu/articles/education/ethics-technology-use-classroom.aspx.

“ISTE Learning Technology Directory.” EdSurge Product Index, index.edsurge.com, https://index.edsurge.com/. Accessed 17 Aug. 2022.

“IXL | Math, Language Arts, Science, Social Studies, and Spanish.” IXL Learning, www.ixl.com, https://www.ixl.com/. Accessed 18 Aug. 2022.

“Khan Academy | Free Online Courses, Lessons & Practice.” Khan Academy, www.khanacademy.org, https://www.khanacademy.org/. Accessed 18 Aug. 2022.

“LearnPlatform.” LearnPlatform, learnplatform.com, https://learnplatform.com/. Accessed 17 Aug. 2022.

MacBury, Kristina. “How to Teach Kids Social Responsibility in a Connected World | Common Sense Education.” Common Sense Education, www.commonsense.org, 19 Dec. 2017, https://www.commonsense.org/education/articles/how-to-teach-kids-social-responsibility-in-a-connected-world.

“Solving Engagement For All Learners.” Solving Engagement For All Learners, www.tailor-ed.com, https://www.tailor-ed.com/. Accessed 18 Aug. 2022.

Steinmetz, Raymond. “How K–12 Schools Can Get Started with Blended Learning | EdTech Magazine.” Technology Solutions That Drive Education, edtechmagazine.com, 29 Oct. 2018, https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2018/10/how-k-12-schools-can-get-started-blended-learning.