Integrating Instructional Technology http://www.sherrilynhicks.weebly.com
Today's society is made up of children who use technology on a daily basis. They seem to catch on to ideas much faster with the use of technology. So integrating technology into the curriculum is the perfect answer to boosting a child's learning experience. When instructional technology such as Storybird, Power Point, and Compass Learning are utilized in the classroom, it allows the students to learn in a fun and creative way enhancing most of their educational skills.
Storybird
Storybird is a picture book-creation web tool that facilitates reading and writing skills in the classroom (Olthouse & Miller, 2012). This web tool can be used in the writing center allowing each child to work on their high frequency words and their writing skills. They would also be able to collaborate with other students within the same grade level if made into a group project. Storybird would enable students to demonstrate command of the conventions of Standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking which covers CCSS. ELA-LITERACY. L2.1(Common Core, 2014). It would also cover RI 2.1-RI 2.9 for Reading: Informational Text (Common Core, 2014).
PowerPoint
Power Point is used as a slideshow presentation for classroom projects that require the student to be creative (Taylor, 2014). PowerPoint will be used to create games like Jeopardy and Tic Tac Toe for the students. These games would reinforce the key concepts of the lessons taught in the classroom. PowerPoint usage would cover the mathematical practice of making sense of problems and solving them as well as CCSS. ELA-LITERACY. RI 2.10, comprehending informational text (Common Core, 2014).
Compass Learning
Compass Learning is a web tool that has virtual manipulatives, animation, and creative videos that teachers use during computer time to enhance the learning process in the classroom (Odyssey, 2014). Compass Learning will be incorporated in the daily routine of the classroom and at the end of the day will allow for real time data to be retrieved from the site to help with the instructional decisions needed for the students (Odyssey, 2014). Through the use of Compass Learning, the students will learn the foundational skills of reading such as phonics and word recognition. They will also learn how to use appropriate math tools strategically (Common Core, 2014).
Pros and Cons of using Technology to Facilitate Learning (100-200 words)
Most things have a good side and a bad side. Technology is included in this scenario. Some of the pros of using technology in the classroom are that it allows a wider access to information to learn and gain skills for not only the student but the teacher as well and it also allows for instant video access for project in Literature and History (Educational Technology, 2012). The Cons of using technology in the classroom are the concerns about long term exposure if used too much at home and then at school and also the probability of students visiting inappropriate sites or unmonitored networks where child predators lurk.
Wired and Wireless Classrooms
The wired classroom is a room where the computers or other technical machines have wires that plug into sockets. The wireless classroom is a room where technology has no wires and allows freedom to move these objects around and outside of the classroom (Shankel, 2014). The advantage of using wireless and wired technology in the classroom is the wider access to educational information and the disadvantages are limited mobility for wired and the loss of connection on the wireless (Shankel, 2014). The method of choice to be utilized in the classroom would be both. Both wired and wireless methods would help with instruction in a way that allows the teacher to be creative in approach. The wireless would allow lessons to be taught anywhere in the building as well as outside and the wired would be used for games that also would enhance learning by the students.
Conclusion
Integrating Instructional technology is very important and necessary in the 21st century. Instructional technology, wired or wireless allows students to have access to global topics, instructional video games, and social learning opportunities and would also facilitate the learning process for teachers. The only difference between wired and wired technology is the wires so both methods are good choices to utilize in the classroom. By incorporating the use of web tools such as Storybird, PowerPoint, and Compass Learning into the classroom environment, students will enhance their learning skills in a fun and creative way enabling the teacher to reach the goal expected for the class.
References
Common Core. (2014). Conventions of Standard English. Retrieved from http://www.corestandards.org
Educational Technology. (2012). Pros and Cons of Allowing Digital Devices in the Classroom. Concordia. Retrieved from http://education.cu-portland.edu
Odyssey. (2014). Compass Learning. Retrieved from http://www.compasslearning.com
Olthouse, J. J., & Miller, M. T. (2012). Teaching Talented Writers With Web 2.0 Tools. Teaching Exceptional Children, 45(2), 6-14.
Shankel, N.(2014). The Difference Between Wired & Wireless. Ehow. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com
Taylor, H. (2014). Uses for PowerPoint. Retrieved from http://ehow.com