Technology in Action
Classroom Resources
Dr. Monica Shepherd, NCDPI
Technology can be a great tool for motivating and
engaging students. Brain research shows that if
students are engaged, they learn more. If we're able
to connect them to real life situations, they're much
more interested. What a powerful motivation
technology is and what a broad range of skills scientific analysis, communication skills, problemsolving - are involved.
- Cheryl Lemke, Executive Director, Milken Exchange
on Education Technology during an interview with Judy Salpeter
editor of Technology and Learning magazine
According the
US Bureau of the Census,
in 2003,
57% of students 7-17
used a computer at home
to complete school
assignments.
It is now 2013.
That was 10 years ago!
Today …
Benefits
Technology …
Promotes learning at a quicker pace
Allows for greater depth of understanding
Aids students in completing tasks faster
Develops higher writing fluency
Keeps students engaged
Makes better connections
Allows for environmental flexibility
Gives students access
Communication
To effectively communicate, we must
realize that we are all different in the
way we perceive the world and use
this understanding as our guide to our
communication with others.
Communication leads to community,
that is, to understanding, intimacy and
mutual valuing.
Communication
Send emails using animated
avatars like voki
School and classroom websites,
wikis, and blogs
Social media, such as Twitter or
Facebook
Text messaging via Remind101
Instruction
There can be infinite uses of the
computer and of new age technology,
but if teachers themselves are not able
to bring it into the classroom and make
it work, then it fails.
– Nancy Kassebaum
Instruction
Khan Academy
Youtube
Discovery Education
Prezi
Learning
We need technology in every
classroom and in every student and
teacher’s hand, because it is the pen
and paper of our time, and it is the
lens through which we experience
much of our world.
– David Warlick
Learning
WolframAlpha
Information gathering
Zite
Automatic information gathering
based on favorite topics
Free1.ed.gov
Primary sources, videos and photos
Studyblue
Flashcards
Assessments
Advances in technology can improve
the quality, accessibility,
cost-effectiveness, and
efficiency of assessments.
– Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium
Assessment
Memograph and Penzu
Online journaling and reflections
Titanpad, Google Docs and SyncSpaceFree
Collaborative online workspace
Xtranormal, InkleWriter
Online skits, virtual and interactive stories
Tiki-toki
Interactive timeline and storyboards
pen.io and Glogster
Instant websites and online posters
Websites for Teachers
Scholastic’s 25 Best Websites for Teachers
101 Websites for Elementary Teachers
Instructional Websites for Classrooms
Tips for Engaging
Students
Tip #1: Content
Post fresh, useful content
Encourage students to contribute inside and
outside classroom
Include materials to be used in future lessons
Share information about upcoming
assessments
Post hints for completing assignments
Provide links for resources to aid assignment
completion
Tip #2: Experiment
Become an expert at the online
components students are being
asked to use
Ask other educators about their
experiences and knowledge about
technological resources
Experiment, experiment, experiment
Tip #3: Communicate
Promote online
communication
Use social media…carefully!
Engage them!
Tip #4: Show Them
Model the use of technology
Share successes and failures
with the students
Let students know how they
are being held accountable
for their work
Tip #5: Be Creative
• Use students’ interests to
drive instruction
• Let the students be the
teachers
• Reference technology during
pen and paper assignments
Education is evolving due to the impact of
the internet. We cannot teach our students
in the same manner in which we were
taught. Change is necessary to engage
students not in the curriculum we are
responsible for teaching, but in school.
Period.
– April Chamberlain
Contact
Monica Shepherd
monicashepherd28@yahoo.com
336-984-5568