Digital Technologies in the
Classroom
Developed by
Rhonda Christensen
University of North Texas
Digital Gadgets or Personal
Educational Tools (PETs)?
Digital Cameras
 Pedometers
 GPS
 Data loggers
 E-book readers
 MP3 player
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Digital Technologies to Support
Teaching and Learning

Scanners - convert printed material or
images into digital format
– Kids can scan images from books or other
printed sources to include in multimedia
presentations
– Original artwork by students can be put
into a digital format to be shared (posted
on the web or in a multimedia project.
Digital Technologies to Support
Teaching and Learning

Digital Cameras store images digitally
rather than on film.
Digital Cameras are becoming
ubiquitous therefore less expensive.
 There are 1000s of uses in education.
 Great for visual learners - visual literacy.

Digital Technologies to Support
Teaching and Learning

Graphics Tablets - Uses a stylus to write
on an electronic pad
– Art students can hand draw into a digital
format that can then be manipulated,
enhanced, etc.
Digital Technologies to Support
Teaching and Learning

Tablet PCs - Convert handwriting into
word processing; drawings become
graphics files
Digital Technologies to Support
Teaching and Learning
Electronic Whiteboards
are becoming more common in schools.
 They allow students to be interactive
while learning.
 Information written on the electronic
board can be saved and
retrieved/shared.

Digital Technologies to Support
Teaching and Learning
Data Projectors allow teachers to
project images from a computer or
video source.
 The improved lamps allow the lights
to remain on!

Digital Technologies to Support
Teaching and Learning
Wireless Devices allow computers and
handhelds to be on a network without
wires.
 Wireless networks allow flexibility and
mobility.
 Schools can avoid wired infrastructure.

Digital Technologies to Support
Teaching and Learning

Handheld Computers are portable and
powerful!
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (LZW) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (LZW) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.
http://www.k12handhelds.com
Digital Technologies to Support
Teaching and Learning
E-books are digital books that can be
read on handheld computers. You can
take notes on books as you read.
 The Gutenberg Project has free books
to download to your e-book reader.

Digital Technologies to Support
Teaching and Learning
MP3 Players
 “A is for Apple” on iPod - Carrollton
Farmers Branch ISD is giving out iPods
to Kindergarten students for language
development
 French teachers are using them for
foreign language practice.

Digital Technologies to Support
Teaching and Learning
Data loggers allow students to track
information via a small instrument.
 Many types of data loggers exist.

– Temperature, wind speed, air pressure,
humidity, barometric pressure, AC current,
carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, light
intensity, rainfall, soil moisture, motion,
pulse count and more.
Digital Technologies to Support
Teaching and Learning
Pedometers are a type of data logger.
 Students can log their activity
individually and/or as a group.
 PE Central allows students to log their
steps.

Digital Technologies to Support
Teaching and Learning

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) - common
in cars, boats and cell phones -24 satellites
continuously broadcast position and time data
to users throughout the world!
– Free to the world; developed by the Dept. or
Defense

Students can use them to determine locations
- Locations are shown in longitude and
latitude
 Geocaching is a high tech treasure hunt.
How Do We Have So Much
Power in the Palm of Our Hands?

Chips are becoming faster and more
powerful AND smaller!
Emerging Digital Tools

Virtual Environments create 3-D
environments that simulate reality.
 Virtual Reality can take students on “virtual”
trips to places they may never visit otherwise.
 Virtual Frog Dissection may be possible when
real dissection is not.
 Virtual Field Trips and Labs are abundant on
the Internet.
How Can You Use These Tools in
Your Classroom?
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Get into groups of 2 - 3.
Select a digital technology.
Determine how you could use this tool to
enhance learning in the classroom.
Give the subject area, the topic area and the
learning objective.
Be prepared to share your great ideas with
the class!