Integrating Instructional Technology
Visual instruction is an important part to understanding a concept especially in Science (Cook, 2012). Technology has allowed teachers to be more visual in their lessons. They can now show students what they are teaching through various digital tools and have the students interact with the lesson in different ways. This creates a better understanding of the lesson for the students and allows them to retain the material better. Three technology tools have been reviewed on their usefulness to integrating instruction in the classroom. Each child is different and has a unique way of learning but these tools provide something for every type of student to learn in their own way. A teacher’s goal is to provide knowledge and understanding for their students, these digital tools allow just that.
Promethean Board
The interactive white board, also known as the Promethean Board, connects to the computer by USB cable or in some cases Bluetooth. The images are displayed through a projector onto a special white board that can be interactive using a special pointer or pen. The Teachers can share lesson plans, software, videos, games and other educational tools with the classroom on a whiteboard that is large enough for the entire class to see and interact with. The Promethean board is a tool that can be used for any grade level and by any subject. The computer hook up makes this a very diverse tool, anything you can pull up on your computer can be pulled up on the interactive white board (Films Media Group, 2010).
Ted-Ed
Ted-Ed is a website that allows teachers to create lesson plans from any YouTube video. Once a video is found that relates to the topic, Ted-Ed allows teachers to go in and customize a lesson plan based on the video. Teachers can add questions, student discussion, or even a place where students are encouraged to explore the topic farther by doing their own research. Students can utilize this technology as a group in front of the class or individually at computers then answer the questions at the end of the video. Ted-Ed has a diverse video catalog to choose from so it can be used for any grade level in any subject (Ted-Ed, n.d.).
PowToon
PowToon is a great presentation tool that can be used to teach a lesson. It used much like a PowerPoint but is created more for animation type presentations. These presentations can be used to illustrate a lesson, experiment, or class project. Each presentation can be created to include personal voice overs, videos, and customized slides. PowToon creates a fun and entertaining way for the teacher to preset their material to the class. PowToon is an animated presentation site that would be most appropriate for younger aged students, although it can be used in all grade levels. Each presentation is created by the teacher so it can be customized to fit any subject.
Pros and Cons of using Technology to Facilitate Learning (200-300 words)
Technology integration has made learning something that all students can do together. It helps to minimize the separation of learning styles created by traditional teaching methods by allowing students a more interactive approach in the lessons. The internet is filled with endless sources of information that can be used to generate and illustrate lesson plans (Kemp et al., 2014). Technology also allows teachers the ability to show students the lessons rather than just tell them. One of the biggest draw backs to technology is grammar, because of the dependence on computers and spell check, proper writing has suffered. Students depend too much on the computers to fix their grammar and spelling problems that they forget how to write properly themselves. Another drawback is the ease at which students are able to plagiarize, with endless resources it is easy and common for students to plagiarize their work. The plagiarism is not always intentional but it is still wrong all the same. Teachers have to be vigilant in teaching and enforcing the internet guidelines for research.
Wired and Wireless Classrooms (100-200 words)
A wired classroom is a classroom that is run mostly by electronics that require support by wires and cables. These classrooms often included desktop computers, roll out televisions and projectors. While many classrooms still use some of the same type of technology as was used in wired classrooms, many have been upgraded to the convenience of wireless. A wireless classroom is a classroom made up of electronics that are run wire free. These electronics mostly include smartphones, Bluetooth, tablets or notebook computers are all examples of wireless devices (Gunter & Gunter, 2014). Wireless devices allow the student and teacher the freedom to move around the classroom freely without worrying about wires. The students can take their devices to explore outdoors for a project or use them to take pictures. This is not something they could do with a standard wired device. Wireless allows more freedom in the classroom and the ability to access the internet anywhere they are. Wired classrooms are more restricted and although helpful will restrict the learning capacity of the students. The wireless classrooms will grant the students the freedom to explore and be creative in their learning allowing for a more in depth learning experience.
Conclusion
Technology can help teachers in many ways, it provides many digital tools both wired and wirelessly to use for teaching and constructing lessons. Technology is ever growing, it is still important to remember that it is still just a tool to be utilized and that the role of teachers is still a critical place. Students are diverse in personality and learning, with these tools teachers can bring them together in learning so that each student can learn as one.
Visual instruction is an important part to understanding a concept especially in Science (Cook, 2012). Technology has allowed teachers to be more visual in their lessons. They can now show students what they are teaching through various digital tools and have the students interact with the lesson in different ways. This creates a better understanding of the lesson for the students and allows them to retain the material better. Three technology tools have been reviewed on their usefulness to integrating instruction in the classroom. Each child is different and has a unique way of learning but these tools provide something for every type of student to learn in their own way. A teacher’s goal is to provide knowledge and understanding for their students, these digital tools allow just that.
Promethean Board
The interactive white board, also known as the Promethean Board, connects to the computer by USB cable or in some cases Bluetooth. The images are displayed through a projector onto a special white board that can be interactive using a special pointer or pen. The Teachers can share lesson plans, software, videos, games and other educational tools with the classroom on a whiteboard that is large enough for the entire class to see and interact with. The Promethean board is a tool that can be used for any grade level and by any subject. The computer hook up makes this a very diverse tool, anything you can pull up on your computer can be pulled up on the interactive white board (Films Media Group, 2010).
Ted-Ed
Ted-Ed is a website that allows teachers to create lesson plans from any YouTube video. Once a video is found that relates to the topic, Ted-Ed allows teachers to go in and customize a lesson plan based on the video. Teachers can add questions, student discussion, or even a place where students are encouraged to explore the topic farther by doing their own research. Students can utilize this technology as a group in front of the class or individually at computers then answer the questions at the end of the video. Ted-Ed has a diverse video catalog to choose from so it can be used for any grade level in any subject (Ted-Ed, n.d.).
PowToon
PowToon is a great presentation tool that can be used to teach a lesson. It used much like a PowerPoint but is created more for animation type presentations. These presentations can be used to illustrate a lesson, experiment, or class project. Each presentation can be created to include personal voice overs, videos, and customized slides. PowToon creates a fun and entertaining way for the teacher to preset their material to the class. PowToon is an animated presentation site that would be most appropriate for younger aged students, although it can be used in all grade levels. Each presentation is created by the teacher so it can be customized to fit any subject.
Pros and Cons of using Technology to Facilitate Learning (200-300 words)
Technology integration has made learning something that all students can do together. It helps to minimize the separation of learning styles created by traditional teaching methods by allowing students a more interactive approach in the lessons. The internet is filled with endless sources of information that can be used to generate and illustrate lesson plans (Kemp et al., 2014). Technology also allows teachers the ability to show students the lessons rather than just tell them. One of the biggest draw backs to technology is grammar, because of the dependence on computers and spell check, proper writing has suffered. Students depend too much on the computers to fix their grammar and spelling problems that they forget how to write properly themselves. Another drawback is the ease at which students are able to plagiarize, with endless resources it is easy and common for students to plagiarize their work. The plagiarism is not always intentional but it is still wrong all the same. Teachers have to be vigilant in teaching and enforcing the internet guidelines for research.
Wired and Wireless Classrooms (100-200 words)
A wired classroom is a classroom that is run mostly by electronics that require support by wires and cables. These classrooms often included desktop computers, roll out televisions and projectors. While many classrooms still use some of the same type of technology as was used in wired classrooms, many have been upgraded to the convenience of wireless. A wireless classroom is a classroom made up of electronics that are run wire free. These electronics mostly include smartphones, Bluetooth, tablets or notebook computers are all examples of wireless devices (Gunter & Gunter, 2014). Wireless devices allow the student and teacher the freedom to move around the classroom freely without worrying about wires. The students can take their devices to explore outdoors for a project or use them to take pictures. This is not something they could do with a standard wired device. Wireless allows more freedom in the classroom and the ability to access the internet anywhere they are. Wired classrooms are more restricted and although helpful will restrict the learning capacity of the students. The wireless classrooms will grant the students the freedom to explore and be creative in their learning allowing for a more in depth learning experience.
Conclusion
Technology can help teachers in many ways, it provides many digital tools both wired and wirelessly to use for teaching and constructing lessons. Technology is ever growing, it is still important to remember that it is still just a tool to be utilized and that the role of teachers is still a critical place. Students are diverse in personality and learning, with these tools teachers can bring them together in learning so that each student can learn as one.