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Using Technology to Enhance Students' Learning

 

Why?

 

When I was a student in elementary school, pencils and paper were the primary learning resources that I used. A dramatic shift is sweeping through our schools regarding the way how students learn. Third graders texting on their cell phones, kindergarteners who can navigate an iPad better than my parents, middle schoolers who already have several hundred followers on their blogs or Twitter accounts. For these students, simply watching videos or images during class, playing an internet multiplication game, or even taking turns at an interactive whiteboard is no longer enough. These new 21st century learners are highly relational and demand quick access to new knowledge. More than that, they are capable of engaging in learning at a whole new level. 

Ways to use technology --

 

Reading: 

 

In one of the reading mini lessons I had with a small group of four students in a fourth grade classroom, I used a short video to enhance demonstration. First, I chose a clip "Austin and Ally", a Disney TV series that kids are familiar with. At the beginning of the lesson, I told students that a good story is like a film. A good reader will pay attention to the major components (See the picture on the right). I remind students to refer back to the chart I provided as they watched the clip. After I played the clip, I help students analyze each component on the chart with inquiring instruction, then students were asked to use the same lens to analyze the two chapters from the book, Tiger Rising. Students' understanding was assessed by using a checklist, partner retelling, and predicting. I found that using a video to enhance demonstration is effective. As a result, many students came up to me and told me they much they love this type of lesson. Most importantly, students were able to transfer their knowledge to reading.  

What/When/Where/How?

 

Integrating technology into classroom instruction means more than teaching basic computer skills and software programs in a separate computer class. I believe that an effective technology integration must happen across the curriculum in research-proven ways that deepen and enhance the learning process. In particular, it must support four key components of learning: active engagement, participation in groups, frequent interaction and feedback, and connection to real-world experts. 

 

Prior to integrating technology into our classroom, I consider the following -- 

  • What technology tools inside and outside of the classroom are available to my students?

  • What is students' learning objective?

  • When and where can we integrate technology in our everyday teaching?

  • How can we use technology to assess students' understanding?

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

Kidblog for Social Studies
 

In my fourth grade class, students published writing through kidblog. Kidblog is an educational blogging space for students to interact with each other online. Particularly in my teaching, I had students post comments and questions about the social studies research topics, as well as the book recommendations and reviews. Each student in the class and I would have an opportunity to read and reply to the post. Surprisingly, my students constantly raised thought-provoking questions and wonders about current events, and they frequently posted compliments and feedback for others to learn. I made sure that the learning environment was kept safe and motivating for students to participate. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GoNoodle
 
I strive to provide an effective classroom environment where students are engaged to learn and free to express in many different ways. GoNoodle is a website where you can find a variety of fun online games that provide short burst of physical exercises. Students spend about 6 hours on a daily basis sitting down in the classroom, I used GoNoodle during morning meeting period and transition time in my classroom to help students get out of their seats and move, stretch and engage to music. Over a period of time, I noticed that students were able to carry their excitement to the rest of the day. This type of exercise helps students' learning become more productive. 
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