Technology in the Classroom

Identify (3) Technology Tools

1. Internet

2. Smart Board

3. YouTube 

 

Instructional Strategies with Tools

1.Internet Instructional Strategy: Projects and KWL Charts

 (Science|4th Grade)

• Assigning projects will require the students to work independently and use the internet to find information regarding the specific topic assigned from different sites. After assigning them their topics, I'd do a KWL chart which will show me what they already know and hope to gain.

2. Smart Board Instructional Strategy: Cooperative Learning, Scaffolding and Dry Boards

(Math|3rd Grade)

• Cooperative learning is based on small groups of students working together on a common task. In this case, as a teacher in combination with the Smart Board, I would use a multi-step math problem. As I plan my lesson, I would make several different slides that would require the students to answer the questions the way they did in their groups on the board. Dragging pieces, filling in blanks with numbers and writing out the steps for their peers. Independently, they could use white boards to show their final answer.

3.  YouTube Instructional Strategy: Reflection/Response, Questioning and Discussions

 (Social Studies|5th Grade)

• Lessons that require videos to demonstrate the material in a more comprehensive manner should be showed using YouTube. While watching the video, frequently stop to ask questions and at the end have them write reflection/response. The questions will focus on the material but assure that the students are paying attention and retaining the information.

Encountered Challenges

When using the internet a big challenge can be the students not using valid sources and unapproved sites. As a teacher, we must provide guidelines and rubrics which provide the needed information for assignments to be completed correctly. When using the Smart Board a challenge would be the students not staying seated and standing/bouncing to be called on. Also, the students talking out of turn, all ofn these students can become a distraction. The biggest challenge you will encounter when having discussions are the students getting to loud . Some may try to over talk the speaker, side conversations will begin to occur and some may not speak at all. Another challenge faced with most discussions is the same people answering all the time. Even though they know the answer, it's always good to here other views/perspectives. When using YouTube it is important to make sure the videos are appropriate, relevant to the topic and providing accurate information for the grade level. This can pose a challenge because the students will remember what they heard and not question the information unless they have some knowledge prior to the  video.