Reasons to Use Tenchonology in The Classroom

According to a survey done by the university of Maryland, there are many reasons to integrate technology into your classroom. Some of the following ideas came from www.edtechpolicy.org/Presentations/

•Motivation

–Gaining learner attention

–Engaging the learner through production work

–Increasing perceptions of control (intrinsic motivation)

•Unique instructional capabilities

–Linking learners to information sources

–Helping learners visualize problems and solutions

–Tracking learner progress

–Linking learners to learning tools

•Support for new instructional approaches

–Cooperative learning

–Shared Intelligence

–Problem solving and higher-level skills

•Increased teacher productivity

–Freeing time to work with students by helping with production and record keeping tasks

–Providing more accurate information more quickly

–Allowing teachers to produce better-looking more “student-friendly” materials more quickly

•Required skills for an information age

–Technology literacy

–Information literacy

–Visual literacy.


The also posted a list of current trends in the classroom from K - 12. I find this very helpful when i look for lesson plans for my students.

•PD activity ends with a teacher developed lesson plan

–Lesson Plan “databases” for others to use

–Make use of other “on-line” activities

•Implementing educational software into daily activities

–PowerPoint, Excel, Kid Pix, Inspiration, Kidspiration, StoryWeaver, etc.

•Selected Internet activities

–WebQuests, Scavenger Hunts, Treasure Hunts, etc.

•Problem-Solving Courseware

–Educational “Games”, Simulations, Case Studies

•E-Learning

•New Equipment Developments

–Graphic Calculators and Probes

–Handheld Devices & E-Books

–Wireless & Wearable Computers

•Group Activities

•Assessment through Electronic Portfolios.

There are great websites these days geared directly towards children and their educational needs, but that let the children have fun and keep thier interests.
http://www.cybersurfari.org/