TEACHING MODULE
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Technology Integration
Technology Integration Resources
Activities for discussion and exploration.
This section includes the following elements:
- A PowerPoint Presentation
- Activities that engage participants in thinking and talking about technology integration
- Web Quests
- Suggested readings
From Curriculum to Communication, a School Immerses Itself in Tech: At Mary Scroggs Elementary School, every day is a technology day:
Tech specialist Susan Dodge works with a student to film a portion of the school's daily morning news show, Ribbit News.POWERPOINT PRESENTATION
Content:
This PowerPoint presentation introduces technology integration. It discusses the importance of technology integration, changes in teacher/student roles, and what components are needed for technology integration. The presentation includes examples of classrooms integrating technology. It then asks for group participation.
Description:
- The PowerPoint presentation consists of 12 slides. You can see this PowerPoint presentation online in your browser.
- If you have Microsoft PowerPoint, you can download the PowerPoint file so you can actually show it as a PowerPoint presentation from your own computer in the classroom. If you download this PowerPoint file, you can make changes, insert your own course information, and use it as you would ANY PowerPoint.
- Speaker Notes: Each slide in the downloaded and online versions contains Speaker Notes which you can use in class as lecture notes when you show the PowerPoint presentation.
- If you do not have Microsoft PowerPoint, you can download PowerPoint Viewer, which will allow you to share this presentation with an audience, but will not allow you to edit it in any way.
Uses:
- You can use the html version, online, during class time if you have a computer and presentation system that has Internet access. Use it as you would any lecture presentation material.
- You can download the PowerPoint to your hard drive or CD-ROM for use on your laptop or classroom computer. You open and run the PowerPoint file just as you would any other PowerPoint presentation.
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ACTIVITIES
These activities introduce the participants to numerous educational Web sites. They promote Internet use with all grade levels. They are not intended to promote any particular Web site; rather, they attempt to introduce ideas about how to integrate technology into the classroom.
1. Explore and Discuss
Ask participants to form groups of two or three. Have them visit at least three of the following Web sites. Tell the participants to reflect on the following questions as they explore the individual sites.
- Do you think these sites would engage your students? Why?
- Which site(s) could you use with your students? How?
- Did these sites make you want to find more like them? Why?
The Great Satellite Search
Student learns about satellites, technology, and space exploration.
The Glitter Gazette
Students meet characters from the days of the California Gold Rush, are given tasks to perform, and learn what it was like to be a California 49er of the Gold Rush Era.
The Atom's Family
Using characters from classic horror films such as "The Mummy" to welcome the student, this site teaches the principles of atoms and matter, conservation and energy transfer, properties of light, etc.
The Solar System
Students learn about the solar system. The site has two designs: one for primary grades and one for middle school.
Shrinking a Landfill
Students try their hand at shrinking the size of a landfill by reducing, reusing, and recycling.
Art Tales: Telling Stories with Wildlife Art
Students create stories based on images portrayed in wildlife art from the National Museum of Wildlife Art.
Aboard the Underground Railroad
Students find maps, history and a timeline of the Underground Railroad.
Fact Monster
This site is an atlas, almanac, dictionary, and encyclopedia for kids.
2. Reflect
Ask participants to reflect upon what they saw and discussed. Have the participants journal their reflections. Ask for volunteers to share their thoughts.
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WEB QUESTS
Some participants may not be familiar with Web Quests. However, for the following activities no prior knowledge is needed. Refer participants who would like to learn more about Web quests to The Web Quest Page.
1. Explore and Discuss
Ask participants to form groups of two or three. Have them visit two of the following Web Quests. Ask the groups to examine and discuss each quest. Have participants reflect on the questions as they explore the individual sites.
- Which site(s) could you use with your students? How?
- List additional activities you could incorporate.
- Which site(s) would you recommend to a colleague? Why?
- Did these sites make you want to create your own Web quest?
- Theme Web Quests For K-2
- Quest for Respect with the Grouchy Ladybug
- Planetary Postcard -- Grade 3
- Energy Quest -- Grades 6 and up
- Cavern World -- Grades 9-12
- Atlantis Quest -- Grades 9-12
2. Discuss and Record
Have the individual participants choose a Web quest. Ask them: "Choose one of the Web sites you explored. What made this quest the quest you would use with your students? How would you prepare your students before you send them to this site?"
- Have the individuals record their ideas.
- Have the individuals share with the large group.
- Have the group speculate on the additional activities that might be generated from the Web quests.
- Have the group discuss how different grade levels could use the sites.
3. Reflect
Ask participants to reflect upon what they saw and discussed. Have the participants journal their reflections. Ask volunteers to share their thoughts.
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SUGGESTED READINGS
GLEF Articles and Videos:
- "A Change in Attitude" and accompanying video segment Harrison Central High School by Diane Curtis
- "A Computer for Every Lap" by Diane Curtis
- "From Curriculum to Communication, a School Immerses Itself in Tech" and accompanying video segment Students Get a Wired Education by Diane Curtis
- "A Remarkable Transformation" and accompanying video segment Union City Public Schools by Diane Curtis
- "A Sampler of International Web Projects" by GLEF Staff
- "A Seamless Integration of Technology" and accompanying video segment Effective Technology by Peggy Bryan
- "Broadband, Big Screen! Enlivening English Language Learning in Southeast Los Angeles" by Bob Moore
- "Collaborating to Create Media-Savvy Young People" by Sara Armstrong, Milton Chen, and Roberta Furger
- "Educational Technology the Focus of Four New Reports" by GLEF Staff
- "Everyone Can Learn" by GLEF Staff
- "From Brain-Based Research to Powerful Learning" and accompanying video segment Key Largo by Roberta Furger
- "Rural Washington Students Connect With The World" by Sara Armstrong
- "The New P.E. Curriculum" by Roberta Furger
- "The World at Your Fingertips" by Jan Hawkins
- "Turning the Tables -- Students Teach Teachers" and accompanying video segment Generation www.Y by Sara Armstrong
- Expert Interviews on Technology Integration
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External Links:
- Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators
- Tech4Learning Clay Animation Project Ideas
- Cyberbee Curriculum Ideas
- Teachers' First Content Matrix
- ISTE Curriculum Integration Lessons
- Apple Learning Interchange
- Intel Education Initiative
- Marco Polo
- Blue Web'N
Recommended Texts:
- Edutopia: Success Stories for Learning in the Digital Age
- The George Lucas Educational Foundation
- Jossey-Bass, A Wiley Company
- Copyright © 2002
- ISBN: 0-7879-6082-9
- Teaching and Learning with Technology
- Judy Lever-Duffy, Jean B. McDonald, Al P. Mizell
- Allyn and Bacon
- Copyright © 2003
- ISBN:0-321-05405
- Making Literacy Magic Happen -- The Best of Learning & Leading with Technology on Language Arts
- Mark Gura and Rose Reissman, Editors
- ISTE
- Copyright © 2001
- Concept-Mapping Companion, Second Edition
- Leslie A. Ditson Rohn Kessler and Lynne Anderson-Inman
- ISTE
- Copyright © 2001
- ISBN 1-56484-167-7
- But How Do I Use HyperStudio With Kids? Designing and Doing Curriculum-Based Projects
- Michael Muir
- ISTE
- Copyright © 1997
- ISBN 1-56484-116-2
- Structured Writing and Using Inspiration Software to Teach Paragraph Development
- Kathleen McMurdo and Charles Haynes
- ISTE
- Copyright © 2001
- ISBN 1-56484-171-5
Grade 3/4 multiage
Hi- I checked out a number of the resources,links above and found them very interesting and useful (as in I'll try them next year). I am especially interested in the e-pals which I've known about for quite awhile but have never explored. I know my kids will be excited to write letters to children around the world! I followed the link to the top two articles by Diane Curtis, Maine schools acquiring laptops for all their students and what a remarkable transformation they've seen and the Change in Attitude article about how students have become so much more engaged through the use of technology. Very exciting stuff!
Webquest
I went to the links about web quests. This is a fabulous way to organize a "simulation" type activity. I had been using a lot of "Interact" simulations, but realize they are outdated. The web quest is a much more manageable system for doing this type of activity in social studies.
Technology Integration Resources
This is a very good overview of resources but what I found here is something under 'Themed Web Quests' that I could integrate (talking the language already!) into the Guidance curriculum: Quest for Respect with THE GROUCHY LADYBUG by Eric Carle.
Even though this is a sliver of the wealth of information - that is the point. Getting a better understanding of how to use technology in the classroom is finding simple resources such as this and trying them out in the classroom. Getting comfortable with small bits at a time is central to moving Digital Immigrants into some sort of proficient teacher using tech resources.
A lot of the information regarding WEB Quest I think could be very useful to helping bridge the gap from philosophy to doing.....
The articles on brain based research/learning were interesting and it is fascinating how the Key Largo Schools took that information and brought down money to provide computers and other tech tools to update/integrate their curriculum. THIS is a model we should all study!
Technology Integration Resources
This is a very good overview of resources but what I found here is something under 'Themed Web Quests' that I could integrate (talking the language already!) into the Guidance curriculum: Quest for Respect with THE GROUCHY LADYBUG by Eric Carle.
Even though this is a sliver of the wealth of information - that is the point. Getting a better understanding of how to use technology in the classroom is finding simple resources such as this and trying them out in the classroom. Getting comfortable with small bits at a time is central to moving Digital Immigrants into some sort of proficient teacher using tech resources.
A lot of the information regarding WEB Quest I think could be very useful to helping bridge the gap from philosophy to doing.....
The articles on brain based research/learning were interesting and it is fascinating how the Key Largo Schools took that information and brought down money to provide computers and other tech tools to update/integrate their curriculum. THIS is a model we should all study!
Grade 3/4 Multiage
Being your partner teacher Pam, I am excited too! I really liked the webquest.org because I have struggled with creating webquests myself and finding a tool to help students create them. I am looking forward to our year together and finding additional ways to integrate technology (such as many of these resources here) with our students!
Tracy Lavallee
3/4 Teacher
Underhill ID
Jericho, VT
Sites did not open
I was not able to open three sites listed under "Explore and Discuss". The sites are Planetary Postcard, Energy Quest, and Cavern World. Was anyone able to open them, or also not able to open them?