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Blogs on Technology Integration

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Digital Poetry

Terry HeickApril 2, 2012

Tags Arts Education, Classroom Technology, Integrated Studies, Media Literacy, Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), English Language Arts, Visual Arts

The best definition I've heard for poetry is that it's "the extraordinary perception of the ordinary."

Being a kind of art, poetry eludes strict definitions. The very nature of art is to challenge thinking. Trying to define something artistic simply opens up new ground for exploration by those hoping to challenge convention.

A New Community and Resources for Games for Learning

Andrew MillerMarch 30, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Game-Based Learning, Primary (K-2), Project-Based Learning, Student Engagement, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

You knew it was coming, didn't you? Edutopia has officially launched its new Games for Learning Community, and I am honored to be its facilitator. I'm excited to have a space where teachers can share best practices, ask questions around implementation and nerd out on gaming in the classroom.

A Tour of High-Quality Open Education Resources (OER) for Writing

Todd FinleyMarch 27, 2012

Tags Curriculum, Integrated Studies, Lesson Plans, Literacy, Open Education Resources, Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, Middle (6-8), High (9-12), English Language Arts

Did you check out Open Education Week this month? The international event highlighted free lesson plans and materials, searchable by subject, grade and quality. I spent a couple days throwing keywords into OER (open education resources are digital materials freely available through open licenses) search engines to assess the quality of secondary and higher education writing curricula.

One-to-One Technology Integration in the Upper Elementary Classroom

Mark PullenMarch 26, 2012

Tags 1:1 Implementation, Classroom Technology, Media Literacy, Project-Based Learning, Student Engagement, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5)

As a third grade teacher who has been fortunate enough to work in a 1:1 classroom for the past three years, I believe that the upper elementary grades are the ideal time to integrate 1:1 technology into the classroom. Because students at that age level often spend extended parts of the school day with one homeroom teacher, integrating technology smoothly across multiple subjects is easier than it would be if students had different teachers for each individual class period.

Celebrating Women in Technology

Mary Beth HertzMarch 23, 2012

Tags Achievement Gap, Career and Technical Education, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12), Math, Science

As I've been reading about and following conversations during this year's Women's History Month, I wanted to reflect on women in the IT and edtech world.

As an elementary educator, I have found that women are often the majority in elementary schools and at education conferences. However, when attending tech conferences or when looking at tech departments in schools and districts, it becomes harder to find female representation.

James Gee: What Do Video Games Have to Do with Project-Based Learning?

John LarmerMarch 21, 2012

Tags Comprehensive Assessment, Game-Based Learning, Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

It was September 13, 2011, and we were just about to hear a talk by James Paul Gee, author of What Video Games Have to Teach Us About Learning and Literacy. The talk was part of our annual community meeting of the Buck Institute for Education. Here's a summary of our conversations -- before and after watching Gee speak. (Please scroll down for a video of highlights from Gee's presentation.)

Pinterest for Educators?

Eric SheningerMarch 19, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

After hearing about all the hoopla surrounding Pinterest, I decided to check it out and see if it had any value to me as an educator. Up until this point I really didn't have a clue as to what it was all about except that it was a social media tool that functioned like an electronic bulletin board. After requesting an invite, I was all set to go a day later and began to create my first pin board. The tutorial video that you are directed to upon signing up was short, to the point, and made it incredibly simple to dive in and start creating. I dragged the "pin it" bookmarklet into Google Chrome and off I went.

Three Ideas for 21st Century Global Curriculum

Terry HeickMarch 12, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Curriculum, Global Education, Project-Based Learning, Technology Integration, All Grades, Geography, World Language Learning

Now over a decade into the 21st century, there is tremendous pressure for education to "globalize." What this means exactly isn't universally agreed upon.

In major world markets, the business world globalized decades ago, expanding beyond domestic markets in pursuit of more diverse audiences and stronger profits. And while major players in business continue to experiment and find their way in markets whose culture and buying practices diverge from those domestic, the "field" of education has been slow to follow suit.

10 Women Who Rock . . . and Teach!

Lisa Michelle DabbsMarch 8, 2012

Tags Leadership, Mentoring, New Teachers, Primary (K-2), Teacher Development, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5), Middle (6-8), High (9-12)

As March is now upon us, it's important to note that we have a unique opportunity this month to celebrate . . . women! March is Women's History Month, a time to honor the contributions women have made over the centuries.

As March is now upon us, it's important to note that we have a unique opportunity this month to celebrate . . . women! March is Women's History Month, a time to honor the contributions women have made over the centuries. Read More

Apps in the Elementary Classroom

Mary Beth HertzMarch 7, 2012

Tags Classroom Technology, Curriculum, Mobile Learning, Primary (K-2), Student Engagement, Technology Integration, Upper Elementary (3-5)

One area that I have not written much about on this blog is educational apps. This is mostly due to the fact that my school has one first generation iPad and two iPod Touches for the entire school. We also ban cell phones and other electronic devices, so these are not available for use in the classroom unless the teachers specifically plan for the kids to use them for a lesson or activity, hand them out to the kids and collect them at the end of the lesson. I won't pretend to be an expert on apps in the classroom, which is why I haven't covered their use here.