Restructuring Classrooms with Technology

EDU 805

Instructor: Donna Roper

Welcome

Goals of EDU 8051. Become more comfortable in using and

integrating technology into your classroom

2. Explore the role of the teacher in a technology integrated classroom

3. Explore practical ways to integrate technology resources in your classroom

4. Learn technology tips and tricks

Goals of EDU 805

1. Become more comfortable with technology and it’s use in your classroom.

2. Locate and discover resources for your use as well as student use

3. Learn tips and tricks of using technology

SLATESStudents today cannot prepare bark to calculate their problems. They depend on their slates, which are more expensive. What will they do when the slate is dropped and it breaks? They will not be able to write.

-- Teachers Conference,1703

Innovation – Change

“This 'telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us.”

-- Western Union internal memo, 1876

Telephone

Students today depend on these expensive fountain pens. They can no longer write with a straight pen and nib. We parents must not allow them to wallow in such luxury to the detriment of learning how to cope in the real business world which is not so extravagant.

-- PTA Gazette, 1914

Fountain Pens

Students today depend on store bought ink. They don’t know how to make their own. When they run out of ink they will be unable to write words or ciphers until their next trip to the settlement. This is a sad commentary on modern education.

-- Rural American Teacher, 1928

Ink

Ballpoint pens will be the ruin of education in our country. Students use these devices and then throw them away. The American values of thrift and frugality are being discarded. Businesses and banks will neverallow such expensive items.

-- Federal Teachers, 1950

BALLPOINT PENS

Technology Integration If we want to transform our classrooms, we needed to

build a foundation of both technology and content standards.

There is no cookie cutter approach to integrating technology.

Integration has to be pedagogically sound to be successful.

Even more important than discovering new tools is the discovery of which tools would accomplish our educational goals.”

A Technology Integrated Classroom

Students collaborate constantly; driving questions inspire

their learning, goals for their learning in the forefront,

taking on roles such as historian, scientist, botanist,

economist and etc. and communicating their learning in

significantly different ways, using a variety of multi-media

and technology tools, is the norm not the exception.

Students are engaged in authentic and relevant learning that uses appropriate tools, enabling them to accomplish the task at hand.

Students are creating, collaborating, communicating, discussing, accessing, experiencing, researching, analyzing. They are critical thinkers and problem solvers…

The learning of content is in context shaped by meaning and purpose that connects the student to the real world.

Students are prepared for college, careers and have the skills to live successfully in the 21st Century

It’s about the student learning

Rethinking teaching and learning

Acquiring new knowledge and information about teaching and learning in the 21st Century

Developing engaging learning environments where students are using rich technology tools and 21st Century skills

Participating regularly in a learning community that fosters growth and sharing

Technology IntegrationFrom books to online – a whole new definition. In the past the question was, “How do we make them see it and feel it?” Now students are discovering it on the own. They are in control of their learning. We have evolved from teachers facilitating their learning to students discovering and being accountable for their education. Technology has opened the door even wider enabling our children to problem solve, assist each other, and have a global awareness. Students are no longer passive about their education but they are engaged and vibrant with learning.”

Teacher Remarks“This school year has been one of my most career changing years ever. At times I have been so overwhelmed with learning new techniques, I prayed for relief. Then at the peak of frustration emerged some philosophy-changing experience that will forever significantly impact my teaching. It was experiencing once again as an adult an “aha” moment while rediscovering the excitement of learning. It created the understanding for me why we need to connect with our students and bring our teaching methods into the 21st century.”

Teacher Comments

“This year was different. I made a concerted effort to have students use their 21st century skills to find answers and demonstrate their learning. Collaboration still took place, but students more often took on authentic roles as they searched for answers to authentic questions. Students used technology to research and to create products. They communicated their findings not by taking a paper and pencil assessment or filling in a worksheet, but by oral presentation. Students thought about content more critically, often comparing and contrasting ancient civilizations and history to their own lives. There is definitely more engagement and enthusiasm for the content than in past years. Because students have been more responsible for their own learning, rather than just sitting back and waiting for the teacher to deliver the material, they have gained a deeper knowledge of the subject matter and a greater appreciation for past history.”

“Students grew not only in their use of technology from last year to this year, but also as learners. It was a common theme, across all the teachers, that they did not have issues with student engagement, student discipline, and students were working harder and more collaboratively this year than last year as technology became integrated into their classrooms and a part of their instructional tool box. As with many great tools for teaching, it is not the tool itself that makes students achieve, but how the teacher instructs with the tool. This group of educators was very passionate about changing the climate of the building and helping students close the achievement gap.”

"The use of innovative tools and techniques to improve the efficiency or effectiveness of subject-centered learning

experiences."

Change in classroom roles Increased motivation and self esteem Gain technical skills Accomplish more complex tasks Collaboration / problem solving with

others Increased use of outside resources Greater awareness of global issues

Why Integrate Technology?

Opportunity

“We must open the doors of opportunity. But we must also equip our people to walk through those doors.”

-- Lyndon B. Johnson

“Teacher mind frames are the most important enhancer and barrier to students’ learning.”

…………Alan Bain and Mark Weston, The Learning Edge: What Technology Can Do to Educate All Children