Technology in Early Childhood and Elementary Education Jessica Gilboy LeKeisha Weimerskirch Laura Windels Stephanie Zimmer

Web 2.0 In education can promote inquiry practice, communication, individual express, literacy Most students already use Web 2.0 in some capacity, the teachers are the ones that need to learn how to use them. Constantly new applications of Web 2.0 emerging. Teachers have the role of evaluating the technology and then implementing it into the classroom.

Blogs Entries of commentary, videos, or instructional tools Found online Can be used by the teacher and/or students. Can be a resource for the students to use or for the parents to help their students Teachers can post lessons. Students can use for help or to post discussions on problems. Parents can use it for a resource to see what the class is working on.

Blogs In the Classroom Examples Real Classroom Blog (Math) Real Classroom Blog (Classroom Updates)

Blogs & Educational Equity Access: All students will be able to use the Blog. Instruction: Every student will receive the same amount of instruction. Interactions: Positive interactions encouraged Language: Positive and appropriate language. IF it is to be used all students must be given access throughout the school day. NOT accessible to all parents (works against equity in the classroom)

Assessing and Improving Instruction Assessment: Writing Skills Grammar Punctuation Spelling Communication skills Math Skills Correct answers Explaining their work Instruction Can be used in writing skills Students can post about certain topics in class Math skills Students can post their answers to their math problems

Equitable Teaching Not all students may have access to the internet at home Allow all students to have in class time with the internet New teaching aid for those students struggling Between other students Students can share answers to math problems Post discussion questions and answers

How to Assess Student Learning Review all of the posts on the blog and the comments that have been made All posts go in reverse chronological order Can look at all of the written content Mathematical solutions Explanations given

Twitter The teacher can post assignments, reminders, lessons, and supplements. The students can post daily activities and what they’re learning The students can use it to read assignments and get homework help The parents can use it to see assignments, lesson, and to get advice from the teacher Brief 140 characters or less posts Available online Can be used by the teacher or by the students Can be for the students or their parent/guardian

Twitter in the Classroom Examples Our Site For This Class Real Classroom Twitter Site

Twitter & Education Equity IF the teacher lets students use Twitter in the classroom NOT accessible to all parents to (working against education equity) Access: All students allowed to use it in class Instruction: All students receive the same instruction Interactions: Positive interactions encouraged Language: Positive and proper language encouraged

Assessing and Improving Instruction Assessment Evaluate students spelling, grammar, writing Assess typing skills Measure summarizing skills Instruction Used as writing instruction Students compose a short message/summary of the day Teaches communication

Equitable Teaching Students may not have access to a computer/Twitter account at home Give them this opportunity at school A new form of communication Between other students Students can use Twitter to communicate with students from other schools Even other districts/states/countries Learn about students from different places

How to Assess Student Learning Twitter keeps all of the posts so comparing the beginning of the year to the end Evaluating improvements in spelling, grammar, social communication

SKYPE Can be used by teachers, parents, students, or all three Connect students with experts worldwide Connect students who are learning similar & related content Allows students who are absent a chance to participate

SKYPE in the Classroom Examples Skype connecting classrooms learning similar content m/about m/about School using Skype in their classrooms watch?v=WrVm5njFXZ8&fea ture=related watch?v=WrVm5njFXZ8&fea ture=related

SKYPE & Education Equity Access: All students are able to experience and access Skype Instruction: All students are able to experience classroom activities via Skype Interactions: Students are all able to interact with persons and places via Skype Language: Students are encouraged to engage in conversation and questioning via Skype Every student or parent may not be accessible to a computer from home

Assessing and Improving Instruction Assessment Students can reflect on their Skype experience Journal Entries Information Literacy (evaluate, analyze, categorize data collected) Presentations to other classrooms Informal assessment: Have students talk about what happened Students can record Skype session for assessment (jobs given prior) Instruction Teaches communication Can be integrated in almost every subject (Social Studies, Science, Math, Music, Language Arts, etc.) Expands perspectives on these core subjects Extra instructionally methods such as tutoring can be available Teachers can collaborate on instructional methods they have used and find beneficial

Equitable Teaching Some schools may not have the budget to be able to attend certain field trips Allows teachers to bring the experience/field trip to the classroom Students may miss class/or have extended absences from school Allows classmates, parents, and teachers to stay in contact by “Skyping” classes live and/or recorded and having Skype conferences with teachers, classmates, and/or parents Teachers can collaborate with each other and share resources that others may not have had Through Skype, teachers can hold a class together on similar content, offer resources for lessons, or watch other teachers as they teach a class

How to Assess Student Learning Can evaluate improvement of students social skills, communication, group work, and comprehension by observation as well as recorded data they will do along the way

Examples of a Way of Assessment