Building a Technology
Toolkit
Adding Technology to the Classroom
• Learning Management
Systems
• Instructional delivery
• Student projects
Learning Management Systems
“Instructor involvement guides appropriate
use, both in terms of the nature of use and
the extent of use […and] instructor
involvement contributes to student benefits
by affecting LMS information quality”
(Klobas & McGill, 2010).
Learning Management Systems
Learning Management Systems
Instructors can utilize an LMS in several ways,
including
• organization of course content
• inclusion of interactive discussion forums
• weekly announcements/reminders
• electronic submission of assignments and
assessments
• innovative instructional delivery (i.e., links to
YouTube, VoiceThread, or Prezi)
• posting of individual and aggregate scores
Instructional Delivery
“With the explosion of tools, resources,
and professional development for
teachers, now is the perfect time to
support deeper conceptual understanding
of […] content by integrating technology
in the classroom” (McCormack & Ross,
2010).
Instructional Delivery
Instructors can enhance delivery of course
content with applications including
• VoiceThread
• Prezi
• YouTube
• Audio comments/memos
• Dropbox
VoiceThread
VoiceThread is a free program that allows the creator to
combine images, documents or videos with comments.
Students can then listen to the commentary, which advances
much like a PowerPoint.
Prezi
Prezi is a free, online alternative to PowerPoint.
The advantages are a unique format, unlimited
memory and easy access.
YouTube
With YouTube, you can provide students with
links to welcome videos, video lectures, or
video reminders.
Audio Comments
Audacity and AudioMemos (an iPad app) are just
two of many audio recording applications that
allow you to record a comment, a lecture or a
reminder and convert it to an mp3 or wav file.
These files can be sent to students via email or
posted in an LMS, and students can access them
multiple times.
Dropbox
Dropbox basically acts as an online flashdrive.
You can load folders, files, photos, and videos
into this free site, and you can access them with
any of your devices (i.e., laptop, mobile phone,
tablet).
Student Projects
“To ensure students are fully engaged in the
learning process, educators must explore every
available path for both formative and
summative assessments. [Therefore],
technology-based instruction must be given a
place in schools and become a part of the
mainstream curriculum” (Aronin & O’Neal,
2011).
Student Projects
Students can engage more deeply with classroom content
via the use of digital technologies, including software,
hardware and the Internet.
Some great classroom additions include
• MapSkip
• ToonDoo
• Video editing software
• Survey creators
• Shared document applications
• Website builders
MapSkip
MapSkip allows students to understand the
importance of place-based writing. It also provides
students with an opportunity to consider how situations
and locations can be connected to writing, geography,
history, social sciences, and more.
ToonDoo
There are a variety of different uses for cartoons
in the classroom, but this example shows its use as a
graphic organizer for the final research project.
Constructing dialogue also immerses students in the
conversation surrounding their topic.
Videos
Students can use free programs, such as
Animoto, or they can use video editing software
(iMovie or Windows Movie Maker) to create
visual essays, video trailers, PSAs, and more.
Surveys
Free online survey sites allow students to consider
pertinent questions when researching, and it
allows them to gather primary research. Analysis of
the results of their surveys can help them ascertain
purpose, audience, and thesis as well.
Shared Documents
Group projects are more easily planned and
executed when using collaborative applications
such as Google docs or wikis. Students can
“share” with instructors; students can also work
“together” at any time and from any place.
Website Builders
Students can use website builders to create
electronic portfolios or to display a class project.
Website construction hones organizational skills,
encourages active participation, and fosters creativity
and decision-making skills.
Benefits of Building Your Own Toolkit
A toolkit allows the owner to choose the
appropriate tool at the appropriate time.
Fundamentally, “[the] end goal
should always be about student
achievement and engagement; the
technology is just one tool for reaching
that goal” (Martineau, 2009).