KSA #10 Teachers apply a variety of technologies to meet students' learning needs
"Techy" Technology and Digital Citizenship
As an aspiring teacher of 21st century learners, I recognize the importance of technology in engaging them and assessing them. Technology is an extremely large part of our world today, and if part of my job is to help transform students from children to competent citizens in society I think it is imperative that they understand technology. Not only do they need to understand how the technology works, but more importantly I believe that they need to learn the implications of use, and how to use it responsibly and effectively. With that said, I also think that it is important to use technology to enhance and supplement teaching and learning; not to replace it.
Below is a picture from a simple website that I created to enhance a performance assessment that I also created. Click here to take a peek at the site. Before students can venture in to the performance task they must first learn about and agree to the digital citizenship expected of them. I believe that the only way that students are going to learn about digital citizenship is if we teach them as well as model the expected behaviour.
Below is a picture from a simple website that I created to enhance a performance assessment that I also created. Click here to take a peek at the site. Before students can venture in to the performance task they must first learn about and agree to the digital citizenship expected of them. I believe that the only way that students are going to learn about digital citizenship is if we teach them as well as model the expected behaviour.
- "Allie regularly uses available and appropriate technology/multimedia to enhance teaching and learning."
- - Caroline R., PS III School Administrator
Not so "Techy" Technology
While I am aware that Wikipedia is not always the most reliable source, I found that it does have a very comprehensive definition of technology in the sense that I see it in the classroom.
"The word technology refers to the making, modification, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems, and methods of organization, in order to solve a problem, improve a preexisting solution to a problem, achieve a goal, handle an applied input/output relation or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, including machinery, modifications, arrangements and procedures."
-"Technology" Wikipedia.org
To me, technology does not only mean computers programs and smart boards; it means using a certain tool in a different way to solve a problem or improve a certain situation. However, I do think that electronic technology is becoming a more prevalent way to solve problems in the classroom, as it does engage students and is able to reach them in a number of ways that a teacher may not be able to do. With that said. technology does not have to be plugged in to the wall or have the letter "i" in front it; although I believe that type of technology also has its place in the classroom. To me technology means innovation. How can I use a certain tool in a new way to help a particular student learn, or overcome a hurdle they are facing in their learning. As I am aware that no two students are alike, and all students have different learning needs, I am consistently trying to be innovative with materials in the classroom. In my teaching I have made use of the following materials to help students learn whenever possible:
- MP3 Players, CDs, Tapes
- Math Manipulatives (shapes, counters)
- Visual Cards (with pictures or words)
- Mini white boards and markers
- Balances and scales
- Big Books
- Plasticine