How do you use technology in the classroom?

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Technology finds its way into my classroom in many ways. I have a Promethean ActivBoard, sound system with DVD, microphone for teaching, and six computers in the classroom. There is a computer lab around the corner. Students are invited to bring personal devices to my fourth grade room. Digital technology impacts planning, learning, sharing, assessment, and sharing with parents.

My students use cameras and various web apps to create pieces for their wikispaces digital portfolios. They blog on a group Posterous site. I've used Skype to connect classrooms. My students have epals. Most of the students prefer prewriting, drafting, editing and publishing on a word processer.

I plan using a combination of Microsoft Outlook and Google Docs drawing guidance from Saskatchewan's on-line curriculum and the wealth of the Internet. I use Remind101 to text and email parents about the day's events. I use a wikispace as a portal for my students activity on line.

Wow! It sounds like a lot, but really so many of us do now.

Using Skype to connect classrooms is a great idea. I had heard of doing that before to connect in classrooms around the world, but it would be great to do it within your school. You could connect to do large projects or just share a lesson without moving the students. That is a fantastic idea.

Technology has a lot of help to do in the teaching learning process. But, it cannot replace an innovative teacher. This is because, there is a practice of using e-materials and methods for everything in the class where the teacher becomes inactive and non-creative. I strongly believe that the technology should only substantiate the content that the teacher is delivering. A teacher very confident in his subject, when speaks without holding even a piece of paper his students become thrilled and surprised and that becomes a motivation for him to work. This experience cannot be provided by any technology.I recommend to the freshers in the teaching field not to use any technology in your beginning days in the class. Speak with innovations and interactions.

Udayakumar.j 

In the Laurel School District we are very limited on the technology that we have in our classrooms.  However, I do have two classroom computers and an ELMO projector screen.  Even though I wish we had Smart Boards in our school we are not that fortunate right now.  I am able to project many things up onto the screen and then allow for my students to come up and work out the problems.  Doing something as simple as this really gets my students excited about learning. 

The biggest piece of technology that I use in my classroom on a daily basis is my Smartboard. I use this to show PowerPoint presentations, videos related to the curriculum, and for general instructional purposes. The Smartboard is so versatile and allows me to bring so much more to my lessons, as I can also get the students involved by getting them out of their seats and interact with a Smartboard lesson. Since I teach younger students (grades K-2), the Smartboard engages them more in the lesson and their attention is better focused on what is going on on the Smartboard versus what is going on around them within the classroom environment.

The other piece of technology that I use multiple times per week is my Elmo. The Elmo is connected through my computer and Smartboard, so I can interact with the whatever is being projected through the Elmo onto my Smartboard. I also like it because I can write on the document that's shown through the Elmo directly on the Smartboard, rather than having to sit next to the Elmo and write on on the actual document. This allows my students to participate in the lesson as well by coming up to the board and filling in an answer or writing on the document, without having to be next to the Elmo either. I never had the experience of working with an Elmo until last year, but it's probably my second favorite piece of technology in my classroom, besides my Smartboard.

I teach 8th graders and they are also more focused and active when the smart board is being used!  When they have a "screen" to look at, it seems to captivate their minds.

Good evening. My name is Eddie Smith, and I am a high school Social Studies teacher in NJ. Over the past two years, I have adpoted a new philosophical approach in regards to teaching: "It is not what I can cover, it is what the students can uncover". I assume the role of a facilitator as opposed to the teacher. For example, I proposed a 21st Century classroom design to my administration, which came to fruition last year. The structure of the classroom is to encourage students  to collaborate, communicate, and think critically and creatively. Instead of the traditional row and desk format, I ordered clover shaped tables with four students at each table (7 tables x 4 students = 28 students).  In addition, I have two laptops at each table, a pair of headphones per student, and a five-way splitter for student to plug their headphones into.  Students are assigned webquests to work on collaboratively, listen to or create podcasts, conduct research, watch video clips, or create videos of their own. Furthermore, I ordered Student Response Systems (Remote Controls) for review of content or for taking assessments at the end of each unit.  The remotes can be utilized to support a backwards design model by giving a pretests, or for an end of the chapter/unit assessment.  Also, this provides intraverted or shy students with the opportunity to participate in class without having to verbally answer questions.  If your district is struggling financially, an alternative to the remote controls are cell phones.  A FREE  program to utilize is www.polleverywhere.com. You as the teacher simply type questions into the program and students text their answers, which appear on the screen in a live poll format or as an open-ended question/answer format. Moreover, I also utilize a Mobi QWIK board by e-Instruction, which is a mobile interactive whiteboard that projects what you write on your mobile board on your projected screen for students tyo view.  For instance, if I am displaying a presentation, the Mobi Board allows me to circulate around the room and circle or underline key concepts, names, terms, etc... Also, I provide students with the opportunity to utilize the board as well.  This puts the technology in their hands. I have a TON of other tools that I ultilize as well, and the great thing about the tools is that they are all free! If you are interested in learning more, please do not hesitate to ask, and I will be more that willing to share my resources. Enjoy!

I could not even imagine a classroom without technology anymore. Everyday I use my computer and document camera. I believe it helps for the students to be able to see exactly what I am talking about and keeps them on track. It also helps for students that have vision impairments. I enjoy being able to find pictures and videos that help my students to better understand a concept that they are learning. I also use the document camera for virtual field trips. During math I try and find math games as much as I can  to get the students involed in discussions and figuring out the questions.

Another form of technology I have in my classroom are CD/DVD/VHS player. I use my CD player often I think that it is important to have music on while the students are doing independent practice and I believe it keeps them focused. 

I also have two micorphones one that the students use when they are reading out loud or explaning how they got an answers. Another one that I use all day long is the one worn around my neck. I can circulate the classroom while reading and help and check up on students with this microphone. This also helps during test to make sure their are no wondering eyes.

In my classroom I also have 5 computers 1 for me and 5 for the students. Besides what was listed above, I use my computer to write and enhance lesson plans. I also use my computer for communication with the parents, Edline, and Gradequick. The list of my computer use is unlimited. For my students at a young age they are taught how to properly use a computer. I believe that is very important. They computers are used during student reading and math centers which the students work on educational activities. The computers are also used for testing.

I am only teaching in Kindergarten but I think it is very important that students get introduced to any technology and learn how to use it. 

I love having technology to encourage learning. I had no thought about how technology could impact a special needs child in the classroom. Wow, could it open up opportunities for one that is challenged physically, but capable mentally. It could put them on equal ground, possibly, with the other students.

I am fortunate to have many pieces of technology to incorporate into my day. 

SMART board

ELMO document camera

Image Mate software - which makes the elmo image have an image with an ink layer over it.

microphone system

Airliner tablets

 

The level of engagement and active learning has dramatically increased with each addition to my classroom!

In my classroom I am fortunate enough to have several pieces of technology to help me motivate my students.  The most recent addition has been a Smartboard.  This has provided me with many opportunities to engage the students in all subjects I teach.  The Smartboard has helped me in so many ways, most importantly with questions from students seeking information.  I am able to pull most information up and show students the exact answer or methods to finding an answer.  Another piece of technology that I find useful is my microphone.  When in use by the teacher, students seem to be more focused on what is being said, especially because of the volume.  It also motivates students to read and participate in activities just so they can hear their own voices being broadcast throughout the classroom.   Our school is totally wireless, so we have several laptop carts teachers can use. 

I think that using smart boards or projectors are good tools to use in the classroom. you can show students the notes on your computer, write something out, or even show them a video! this makes everything visible for the students and it hooks their interest with a visual rather than a boring lecture.

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