We are a team looking forward to the integration of technology in the classroom. We are not the only ones who want this to happen. We are trying to get more technology in not just our school, but in our entire school system. There will be further information in the rest of this presentation. The Basics of G.I.T.T

In the 21st century, technology has changed the ways in which we communicate and go about our lives. Very few educators would disagree with the notion that technology has dramatically changed the teaching and learning process. Do you remember the history or science fair presentation boards that we created? Web 2.0 tools like Glogster have changed this experience. Glogster is a platform where students can create a multimedia "glog" or poster to demonstrate what they know and understand about a topic. A computer, tablet computer can keep all of those files and handouts in neat folders. There's also a web 2.0 tool, Live Binders that allows users to create a binder online. The way that we think of textbooks is completely changing. It is no longer limited to merely text and pictures. Today’s textbooks often have web-based sites that include assessments, animations, additional materials, videos, and other materials to support the learning of new content. The Research

It’s common for students to bring laptops, tablets, and smartphones to class. But are the devices distractions or learning tools? Standing at the lectern, it’s difficult for a professor to tell whether students are using their mobile devices to access learning materials or to just idly browse the Internet, wasting precious classroom time and distracting their peers. There are some courses that had anywhere from 40 to 100 students. These observations support the notion that computers in the classroom can be used supplement learning. But how, exactly, do computers aid in instruction? Engaged students use the opportunity to make additions and annotations, to downloaded slides or to transcribe the lecture using word- processing programs. The problem, of course, is that not every student is that engaged. How it Won’t be a Distraction in the Classroom

Music sets the tempo and tone of your teenager’s life, probably as it did yours at that age. Music is more than just a way to get the party going or to tune out parents, however. Music has been shown to help students get better grades in school. It doesn’t necessarily make teens smarter, but it can help teens develop the intellect they have to its fullest potential. Students who study with certain kinds of music playing can develop better study skills, and this can lead to better grades. Robin Harwood, et al. point to the "Mozart Effect" in their textbook "Child Psychology." The "Mozart Effect" is the belief that listening to classical music can improve intelligence; it is based upon a single study that was subsequently refuted. Instrumental and classical music won't make you smarter, according to Harwood, et al. But this music can have a relaxing, soothing effect and is less distracting than music with lyrics. Improvement in Grades

People recall information more effectively when they're doing so in the same environment in which they initially learned it, according to the textbook "Educational Psychology." Students who listen to music while studying will be better at recalling the information they've learned if they also listen to music during tests -- an opportunity most students don't have. This might mean that listening to music can make recalling information more challenging, particularly for students who transition from listening to loud music to taking a test in a silent classroom. Improvement in Grades (Cont.)

I think in the near future that students won’t carry around big bulky backpacks filled with heavy textbooks. Much attention has been placed on interactive gaming as a powerful platform for student learning. Every day, new programs and web-based tools are teaching our students content that was once paper or chalkboard based. Voice recognition software has improved greatly in the past few years and is more accessible. Children with special needs and limited English proficiency are able to more effective communicate in language based contexts. iPads are such adaptable and powerful tools for teaching and learning. There are so many applications but I think the most powerful and exciting aspect is the enhancement of learning experiences for students with special needs, particularly those on the autism spectrum. Technology facilitates our ability to extend classroom community by using web-based platforms like Edmodo. Teachers and students can use this platform to discuss homework, post assignments, and interact with peers as they work on projects. We still use libraries, but so much of our research and learning is now more web-based. What used to take hours in the library to find, we find instantaneously. As a result, we need to sort through huge amounts of information efficiently. We know how to get and use information. I would argue that because it takes less time to find information, we spend more time digesting, thinking, and learning about new information. How other Schools Could use Technology

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