2. Technology Integration
By using technology in our classrooms, we give our students more
opportunities to discover ideas and learn on their own. We must
ensure that technology is integrated correctly and used to further
our student’s education. Technology has the potential to change
our classrooms and encourage our students to develop problem
solving and critical thinking skills, while also becoming an active
21st century learner.
3. How to manage the
following aspects:
● Facilitating Group Activities
● Conducting Research
● Communicating Final Projects
4. Facilitating Group Activities
● A tool such as Google Docs can be used for group activities.
● Each member of the group can edit, collaborate, and
communicate with other group members to complete the
assignment.
● When members edit the Google Doc it is edited in live form and
the group can see the new changes.
● Group member can comment and actively work together to
product a solid final project.
5. Suggestions For Group Activities
● To successfully manage students during a group activity, give
each member specific tasks to complete.
● Each member of the group will be assigned a job such as:
■ Captain: Ensures that the group is organized and set up!
■ Monitor: Keeps track of time and makes sure everything runs smoothly.
■ Data Collector: Makes sure all information is collected and saved to put
into the final project.
■ Data Reporter: Reports the final information and reports the group’s final
work.
■ Computer Whiz: Resolves technical issues
6. Conducting Research
According to Power Up What Works, conducting research
involves:
1. Identifying a question
2. Gathering Information
3. Analyzing and Evaluating Evidence
4. Drawing Conclusions
5. Sharing the information that was learned
7. Communicating Final Projects
Students can present their final findings in many ways.
According to the We Are Teachers website, student can use a
variety of resources to display what they have learned.
1. Inkle 6.
Glogster
2. Story Bird 7. Prezi
3. Bubblr 8.
Voice Thread
4. Blabbersize 9. Google
8. What if there is
only one
computer?
According to Edutopia, teachers
can:
● Use interactive websites like
BrainPop
● Explore virtual math
manipulatives
● Use Skype to communicate
with others outside of the
classroom
● Build a Google Site for students
● Assign one student to be a
classroom scribe
9. A Multi-Computer Classroom
● Students can use computers as a presentation tool.
● Teachers may pose a question using a website such as
Socrative or Poll Everywhere.
● Students could build their own websites using
WikiSpaces.
● A website such as Schoology could be used to connect
students and teachers while learning.
● Google Classroom
10. How can I use
handheld devices?
● Use a tool like NearPod to
interact with students
● Offer E-books to student
for required classroom
reading
● Use a voice recording app
to take notes
● Record books as a
listening station
11. How do I integrate
the use of iPads
and tablets?
● Set clear expectations and
procedures
● Use apps such as Kahoot to
formally assess students
● Assign group projects that
allow students to collaborate
● Use QR codes to link
students to assignments
12. Conclusion
Integrating Technology into your daily
classroom routine can be simple. I encourage
you to try one of the ideas that was presented
today. Start small and you will begin to see big
changes in your students! They will grow
because you are helping them developing
essential skills for their future!
13. References
Bittman, E. (2015). 10 Collaborative Technology Projects Your Students Will Love . Retrieved from
https://www.weareteachers.com/10-collaborative-technology-projects-your-students-will-love/
Conducting Research-Teach with Tech. (2015). Retrieved from
https://powerupwhatworks.org/strategy-guide/conducting-research-teach-tech
How To Integrate Technology . (2007). Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/technology-
integration-guide-implementation
Editor's Notes
Today’s “Lunch and Learn” topic will be about integrating technology in the classroom. For many classroom teachers, this can be a headache. The challenges and technical difficulties associated with using technology can be overwhelming. I am here to tell you that it can be done in an organized, easy way. Using technology in the classroom can provide your students with so many opportunities for their future. I hope you leave today’s Lunch and Learn with some new ideas for your own classroom that you can begin usng immediately.
Today, I will be speaking to you about ways that technology can help your students complete group projects, conduct research, and develop final projects. I hope that my ideas can be something each of you can use in your classrooms whether you teach Kindergarten or 5th grade.
Google Docs is a great tool for students to use for a group project. As a Kindergarten teacher, I can say that this tool would most likely be used in the upper elementary, middle, and high school grade levels. I believe that students can easily manipulate Google Docs because everything is automatically saved and students can communicate back and forth with each other if they have questions or concerns for their team members. I do believe that younger elementary school student could use Google Docs to create a more simplified group project such as creating a poster or flyer for a topic they are covering in class.
Group projects can be overwhelming for teachers who are used to operating a quiet, teacher-focused classroom. As a 21st century teacher, it is important that we are teaching our students to develop skills that will be useful to them in the real world. Therefore, using group projects will allow them to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills by working with others. To help lessen the load on us, we can assign our students different roles to complete the project in an organized manner. Students share the responsibility of completing the project, but each member can be given a separate job. When every member of the group is involved and focused, they are more likely to be successful.
Teacher can use technology to help students carry out the research project by using a wide range of technology tools to facilitate learning. Students can work together in groups to go through the research process. It is important to directly instruct students about the research process. Then, it is important to allow students to ask questions, focus their questions and explore a variety of topics. The teacher should encourage students to use technology resources to collect information. They can use resources like Survey Monkey or Skype! Next, Students must engage in ongoing assessment. The students can assess each other and use prompts to refine their research questions. Encourage students to use valuable resources when completing their research and have them summarize their findings in a blog post or web page.
The We Are Teachers website gave me many ideas of ways that students can display what they have learned about a new topic or throughout the research process. I have listed the resources and I will go through each one to explain them a little further.
Inkle allows student create a digital story about a topic. They can create a book and add their own images!
Story Bird allows students to choose a variety of photos and the students explain each one and they can write about them.
Bubblr is used to create a comic strip.
Blabbersize can be used for students to upload photos and then students can record their voices to say or explain what they have learned.
Animoto allows students to create a short, 30 second video.
Glogster is a tool that students can use to create a multimedia presentation that includes pictures, words, videos, etc.
Prezi is a presentation tool that creates a moving slide show where students can display information in an organized way.
Voice Thread is a tool that students can create a slideshow and then record on and comment each slide.
Google Sites is used by students to create a web page that can be shared with others.
I hope that you can use one of these tools in your classroom for your students to create a presentation with in the future!
If you only have access to one computer, integrating technology into your routine may seem impossible. Here are a few ideas that you can use to integrate technology if technological resources are scarce. There are many interactive websites that can be used to show short video clips that will allow the teacher to introduce a new concept to students. Personally, I use BrainPop to introduce new Social Studies and Science concepts to my Kindergarten students. This is a quick way to use technology! Second, there are many math manipulatives that can be used and projected onto the board if there is a projector in the classroom. Students can use tools like an online calculator, protractor, a variety of measurement tools, etc. Third, Skype will allow the teacher to help his/her students develop 21st century skills by connecting them with students from around the country or even the world. They could communicate with other to become Pen Pals or collaborate on a PBL assignment. Other ideas include creating a Google Site to post classroom updates and inform parents about classroom activities. Lastly. If there is only one computer in the classroom, the teacher could assign a student each week to be the classroom scribe. They could take notes or be the tech aide that assists the teacher if problems occur.
If you have a classroom set of computers or even 5-7, you may be able to incorporate some of these ideas into your daily routine. Student can use computers as a presentation tool at the end of a unit. They can create a slideshow of what they learned and present their work to the class or to the teacher. Teachers can use polling websites to formally assess students if they have access to computers. Students can create their own websites or uses a resource such as Schoology to complete assignments and share their work with their teacher. Also, Google Classroom can be used for students who work at their own pace. The teacher can assign a project and they can work on their assignment independently. The teacher can log in and look at the progression of the students work and assign different tasks for them to complete.
Handheld mobile devices can be used in the classroom in many ways. Some ideas are to have students use an app such as NearPod to go through classroom notes and presentations while the teacher is instructing the class. This allows students to remain engaged and active throughout the teacher’s instruction. The teacher may also consider allowing students to read books on their handheld devices. Students can read E-books or articles that may be required texts for the class. Instead of passing out books and lugging them around, students have instant access to the information they need to complete their assignments. Also, teachers can allow students to record their voice when explaining a concept or allow them to record instruction and take notes audibly. Lastly, as a Kindergarten teacher, I am reminded that handheld devices make great listening stations. I could have my students scan QR codes that link to a book that will allow them to read/listen to the text. Then, they can answer questions about what they listened to!
iPads can be a useful tool in the classroom if the teacher sets high expectations for learning. Students should understand classroom procedures when using the iPads in the classroom. iPads can be used to formally assess students on a topic using an app such as Kahoot! It is similar to a game and students enjoy earning points for answering the questions correctly. The teacher can also assign group projects and have them present their work using the iPads by using an app such as Educreations or SeeSaw. Another suggestion is to use iPads around the classroom by having students scan QR codes that lead to new information. This provides a fun and active learning experience for students that is similar to a webquest.
I hope you found this presentation helpful and encouraging. It is our duty to our students to provide them with ways to communicate, collaborate, and work with one another to develop 21st century skills. We can do this by incorporating technology throughout our day and using group projects to facilitate learning!
