Technology Integration: Best Practices Phil Bloomstein & Michael Peters CAG Technology Integration Specialists

In this presentation … A little bit of theory, a little bit of practice …. 1.Stages of Technology Integration: Where are you? 2.What are best practices? 3.Technology Best Practices: Principles 4.Some Best Practices in Action: Videos 5.Amazing Web 2.0 Tools: Browse 6.New and cool: Easy animation for all ages, augmented reality

Don’t Panic: Technology Integration is a process. 1.Entry Phase Primarily uses traditional texts and strategies. Feels overwhelmed, intimidated. May be overly self-critical. 2.Adoption Phase Traditional strategies still dominate, but begins to recognize the value of technology. Starts to develop troubleshooting skills, and to anticipate management issues. 3.Adaptation Teachers learn more about planning and implementing technology-based activities. Marked increased in the use of technology by both teacher and students. 4.Appropriation Teachers overall attitude towards technology is the benchmark. They recognize the value and begin to incorparate into progressive teaching strategies: project-based learning, co- operative work, etc. 5.Invention Having experienced success and survived failure, teachers are more confident in their technology integration abilities, allowing experimentation and focus on high-yield strategies. SOURCE: APPLE CLASSROOMS OF TOMORROW WHERE ARE YOU?

Best Practice: What does that even mean? Generally, best practice indicates work that is sound, highly regarded, and state-of-the-art. In the field of education, it is usually associated with work that is serious, thoughtful, and informed by current research in teaching and learning. Specifically, the consensus in education today promotes methods based on constructivist principles promote learning in a way that teaching-by- telling cannot do. THIS INCLUDES TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION! So, It has less to do with the pizzazz of a PowerPoint presentation or graphics whizzing onto a web page and more to do with attitudes and teaching methods. Source: Zemelman, S., Daniels, H., & Hyde, A. (1998). Best practice: new standards for teaching and learning in America's schools (2nd ed.). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.

Okay … so what does Technology Integration Best Practice look like? 1.Multidisiplinary Units and Situated Learning Teachers integrate technology best in conjunction with multidisciplinary units in which activities or lessons are contextualized for students. AUTHENTIC LEARNING. EXAMPLE: Kalish / Valdez Science and Web Design Project 2.Objectives Drive Technology Use Purposeful use of technology: focus on objectives first, then decide decide when and if to use and also where technology should be used. UBD for Technology. 3.Collaboration and Building a Community of Learners Technology can be used to facilitate collaboration, allowing risk-taking, team building and student experts to surface. EXAMPLES: WIKIs for collaboration, Inspiration for brainstorming. 4.Scaffolding Teachers provides the students with some type of assistance to complete a task or learn a concept. Gradually, the "scaffold" is removed. Technology can provides “mind tools” to support student learning. ( Spreadsheets, graphing programs, concept mapping software, multimedia tools, remedial and assistive software) 5.Multiple hard and soft technologies integrated together No one piece of hardware and software is the answer. Best practices must recognize the modern reality of multiple technologies flowing together to meet the learning goals. SOURCE: Atkinson, & Dias (2001) Technology Integration: Best Practices– Where Do Teachers Stand? International Electronic Journal for Leadership in Learning, University of Calgary USE A VARIETY OF THESE

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