Technology in Elementary Education Technology is Your Friend

Overview Technology in education has drawbacks Benefits out weigh the negatives 2

Anti-Technology Points Expensive Distracting Technical Difficulties Access to Technology Expensive - Grants & foundations, A lot of free, good software FOSS (Free Open Source) , long term investment Distracting - Distractions are a possibility regardless of setting, Use to engage students Technical Difficulties - Teachable moments when things go “wrong”, problem solving skills, Doesn't always result in learning, Traditional paper & pencil doesn't always result in educational gains Access to Technology - Number of parents and students with technology and usage increases every year, Public Library access 3

Why use technology in the classroom? State Curriculum Requirements Communication Tool Information Source Educational Websites Assistive Technology Careers and Tech Skills 4

State Requirements Over 35 technology related standards for elementary students Michigan Department of Education Tech. Standards Online Learning Requirements for graduation Michigan Department of Education MMC Teachers are expected to information technology to enhance student learning Professional Standards for Michigan Teachers 7. TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS AND CONCEPTS Use of technological tools, operations, and concepts to enhance learning, personal/professional productivity, and communication, including the ability to: 5

Communication Tool Grading and Attendance Software (Skyward or Power School) Parent-Teacher contact with e-mail, IM, texting, etc Classroom information online for students & parents Asking Questions with IM, texting, and email Automated Phone/Texting Alert Systems I was wondering if Barney got his Math turned in today? Asking Questions with IM, texting, and email (Student-Student, Student-Teacher) 6

Information Source Sources include reputable websites, CDs, DVDs Information benefits include Current information Depth of information Student learning opportunities such as Web Quests Sharing information and documents (legally) 7

Educational Websites Primary assignments Supplemental resources Web Quest Research Supplemental resources Practice Problems “Edutainment” Articles - Games Evolve as Tools for Teaching Financial Literacy & Teachers Begin Using Cell Phones For Class Lessons http://www.edweek.org/login.html?source=http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/11/18/12financegames.h29.html&destination=http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/11/18/12financegames.h29.html&levelId=2100 http://tech.yahoo.com/news/ap/us_schools_cell_phones 8

Assistive Technology Speech Recognition (Dragon Naturally Speaking) Read Aloud programs Read 180 reading software intervention Free Audio books (www.Librivox.org) Planners Visual/ PECS software CD/MP3 Players And many more... 9

Careers and Tech Skills Tech skills will be important in future careers Tech skills are actually important in today's careers Blue collar and white collar careers both make use of technology and tech skills 10

Technology Examples YouTube E-Mail Digital Pictures Paint SmartBoards Audio Visual Aids Note Taking Wikis / Online Glossaries Immediate Feedback Learning Management Systems (Moodle) 11

Sources www.openclipart.org Clip Art Michigan Department of Education Tech Standards Michigan Department of Education MMC Professional Standards for Michigan Teachers Skyward Gradebook National Geographic Kids Librivox.org Free Audio Books Article: Intervention: READ 180 Dragon Naturally Speaking Article: Games Evolve as Tools... Article: Cell phone uses... 12