True Technology Integration is not: (its a start, but not what it is truly about)
- students on a computer playing an educational game
- students moving stuff on an interactive white board
- using the web based curriculum
The ideas above are a start, but how is that truly preparing our students for their future? If you look at your state's standards or the national standards, the above ideas do not fulfill what we are supposed to be covering with our students.
Now I truly believe in getting kids using technology. Providing students with fun interactive games is key to motivating them and getting them to be more successful. I just think we need to go beyond that...To Infinite and Beyond!!
Technology can be rigorous if you make it that way. Students need to use creative thinking and develop digital projects, not just playing a a game or moving a pen on an interactive whiteboard.
We need to show our students how to properly research and about internet safety. I know being an educator is a hard job and it seems like there is never enough time, but we have to. It is for the betterment of our students!
Technology Rigorous Activity:
For example: The class finished reading the story Ella Enchanted and then the students were to create web pages that displayed their knowledge of what they read. The students created different pages for the characters, setting, problem, fairy tale elements, key vocabulary, educational games, etc..
The students didn't just take a test and move on..they created and had a blast doing so. Their retention level went way up on this activity! Plus the kids got a little lesson on html coding.
Make sure your students are building, creating, and discovering. There are so many Web 2.0 tools out there for students that are free.
Check this great list out: http://edudemic.com/2011/11/best-web-tools/
- Word Clouds
- Web Page building
- PowerPoint Presentations
- Skype
- Blogger
- Animoto
- Prezi
- Comic Strips
- QR-codes
................and the list goes on and on
- Have a purpose for what the students are doing.
- Let the students plan the activity out.
- It's time to let go and let our students take a hold of their own learning.
Each state follows a set of technology standards, it could be standards that the state has in place or the national standards. It is sad, but many educators do not know what they are and even that they exist. It is so important that we are aware and do what we can do to provide our students with a solid foundation.
Here is the purpose for the Texas TATEKS from www.tea.state.tx.us:
The purpose of the state’s Technology Applications curriculum is to ensure that students and educators gain and apply critical 21st Century digital knowledge and skills across the curriculum. Technology Applications provides a vertical look at what is expected for students from prekindergarten through grade twelve. There are benchmarks at Grades 2, 5, and 8 as well as specialized, focused courses building on the K-8 TEKS at the high school level. There are expectations for Technology Applications for beginning teachers as well as current educators.
I love these TATEK segments
Have a great week!
Kristen Hernandez
