1. Review Content Specific Technology Uses
Content Area
Ideas for Technology Tools/ Software - Projects/ Activities
Describe what “idea” you found useful. Include any websites or other resource names as necessary. Tell why you think this is a great idea for instruction!
English/ Language Arts
I really liked the use of technology for concept mapping, when laying out ideas about literary works and webbing out how they tie in together. Kidspiration (for grades K-3rd) and Inspiration (for grades 4th and above) are neat for outlining thoughts and also diagraming how concepts relate together. MindMeister is another example from the book, that is an iPad app but also can be accessed from the internet. I like this because it organizes students’ thoughts while also giving them a creative outlet to show how they think content ties together, such as which characters are connected or how they felt that one setting led to another.
Math
I really liked the Carnegies Cognitive Tutor software, to strategically motivate skill building and practice of math. Not only can it help students learn concepts that they are having trouble familiarizing themselves with, it is a tool for teachers to learn other ways to do the same math problem so they can relate to all of their students individual learning styles.
Science
I found the Exploratium Museum in San Francisco’s website, Exploratorium.com, to be really cool! The book uses it as an example as a strategy to support specific processes in scientific inquiry. Exploratorium is a hands on museum, but the website has interactive exhibits. I love this idea for instruction because not everyone has access to San Francisco, but this website will allow teachers to lead students in fun experiments, and allow students to see unique science exhibits.
Social Studies
The idea of Virtual Field trips is really wonderful! Not all schools are able to give their students opportunities to travel, or to go on field trips, but interactive online field trips allow students to tour historical locations, without leaving their desk. And they can still participate in the visual experience, without the danger or chaos of physically going there with the entire class. And the teacher doesn’t have to be as stressed. Explore Ancient Egypt website, U.S. Capitol Tour website, Nation Museum of Natural History website, and Colonial Williamsburg and Mount Vernon website are all internet places that facilitate a Virtual Field Trip for social studies.
Music & Art
For Music class, I have personally used the Apple app, Garage Band, and I can see how it would be a fun and helpful resource to teach students music. You can play almost any instrument at the tap of your finger, and still learn keystrokes and string notes virtually the same way if you were to learn on a real instrument. Also, you can record your musical piece and play it anytime you want.
For Art class, photoshop is a very useful tool that can prepare students for the job world, because graphic design is becoming as important to have skills in as it is to be skilled in common Office publishers. Graphics is the way of our future.
Physical Education & Health
Technology for physical fitness has grown so much the past couple years with the introduction of pedometers, such as Fitbits and other brands. These activity trackers also allow users to have competitions of physical activity to make it more fun and rewarding. A daily step goal competition could make the difference of a student taking the stairs versus the elevator, or parking farther away from an entrance just to “get their steps in.” teachers could come up with classroom fitness competitions and even limit them to the duration of the day to make it fun but also keeping the students accountable for their own physical health.
Special Education
Multiple Means of Expression (MME) is a concept for special needs students that I think is very important for catering to their individual needs, but a teacher and also integrate it into regular instruction as well. MME allows student to have a choice in ways that they can demonstrate what they know. This is great because it lets the teacher have more time to instruct on the content, and not on the technology, since the student is free to pick a software they know about, or can research on tutorials. Having a choice can also enhance their self-determination.