TECHNOLOGY IN THE CLASSROOM

As teachers, we often struggle to use technology in our classrooms. However, when we think of using ‘technology’ we often don’t think about the technology that is right in front of us. 

Read here for the: EFFECTS of technology in the classroom (in case you think it's not necessary to it in your classroom).

The use of technology in classrooms is booming and exploding across the US. In Kansas, there is a progam called Technology Rich Classrooms. It encourages the integration of technology into instructional methods within the classroom.

My personal take on using technology in the classroom:

Although simple use of technology at the moment, I always try to incorporate cooperative learning and technology in my classroom. When I was teaching the students about ‘energy, (specifically potential energy and kinetic energy), I gave each student a laptop and had them answer questions about how and why PE and KE changes as a skateboarder skates on a wide U-shaped ramp. I had already discussed with the students about KE and PE. The software that I used showed the students how PE and KE inversely changes as the skateboarder goes from left to right (and right to left). The students made similar observations with a different scenario (apart from a skateboarder on a ramp), which was with a moving pendulum.  Then, after the students filled out a worksheet, we went over it in class together where they shared their observations and conclusions. The floor was open to disagreements and students were welcomed to correct their peers (but they had to back up their answers). I felt like we accomplished a lot and the students learned from the activity as well as from each other (instead of me).

This class proved to be extremely beneficial because there was the use of high cognitive skills in terms of diagnosing their observations of how/why PE and KE change (and why Mechanical Energy is constant) as well as the utilization of technology and the incorporation of cooperative learning.

TECHNOLOGY AND MATH?

I have posted many instances about how I think intertwining Math and technology is a great challenge. I personally teach Science, so the use of technology can be used in a wide range of activities within this subject area. However, Math demands a lot of student practice (such as hands on work). Nevertheless, technology can be incorporated with any subject especially when creatively intertwined with the subject.

Here is a video that talks about two technological uses in the area of Math. One is SimCalc, which allows the students to interpret graphs (and graphing them), tables, and making sense of formulas and algebra).  The other technology software is Cognitive Tutors, which is an advanced technology that tutors students.