Tech2Learn: Success Stories of Technology Integration in the Classroom

Episodes by Topic:

• Enhancing Lessons with Blended Learning
• Collaborative Digital Presentations
• Engaging Kids with Digital Video Production
• Differentiating Instruction Through Technology
• Free or Low-Cost Technology Tools
• Video Games and Programming
• Additional Resources on the Web

The Tech2Learn series is a co-production with the Teaching Channel.

Enhancing Lessons with Blended Learning

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• VIDEO: Blended Learning Energizes High School Math Students (2012)

  Educator Peter McIntosh helps his students to take ownership of their learning by using interactive subject-mastery tools like Khan Academy. Check out these resource links from Peter McIntosh.




• Related Resources from Edutopia

• Blended Learning: We Are All New Teachers, by Lisa Dabbs (2012)

  Blogger Lisa Dabbs offers some great resources for a new teacher looking to incorporate blended learning in the classroom.

• From the Classroom: What Does Blended Learning Look Like? by Bob Lenz (2012)

  Blogger Bob Lenz highlights one of his college students who uses blended learning in the special education class she teaches.

• Blended Learning: Combining Face-to-Face and Online Education, by Heather Wolpert-Gawron (2011)

  Blogger Heather Wolpert-Gawron makes the case for blended learning -- a combination of both online and face-to-face education.

• Big Thinkers: Salman Khan on Liberating the Classroom for Creativity (2011)

  The founder of Khan Academy, a free educational video library that features over two thousand titles and an interactive dashboard for formative assessment, discusses how his videos can help create a "flipped classroom" that allows blended learning.

• Online Learning in the Traditional Classroom, by Edutopia Staff (2010)

  Here are resources to help you infuse some virtual education within your brick-and-mortar classroom walls.

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Collaborative Digital Presentations with Online Tools

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• VIDEO: Collaborative Digital Presentations Enrich Projects (2012)

  Educator Kate Summers engages her students by asking them to "teach back" chemistry concepts to their peers via online demonstrations created with tech tools like Google Docs, Keynote, and PowerPoint. Check out these resource links from Kate Summers.




• Related Resources from Edutopia

• Web Tools Blog Series: Tools to Help Students Collaborate, by Eric Brunsell (2011)

  Eric Brunsell's ongoing series showcases some innovative tools and examples for student collaboration.

• Google for Educators: The Best Features for Busy Teachers, by Sara Ring (updated 2011)

  These user-friendly tools will keep you and your class inspired, inventive, and organized.

• Importance of Collaborative Assessment in a 21st Century Classroom, by Andrew Marcinek (2011)

  Andrew Marcinek shares how collaborative assessment can be applied in a digital classroom.

• Digital Portfolios Pull Double Duty, by Maya Payne Smart (2009)

  Student efforts foster teamwork in class and boost college and job applications online.

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Engaging Kids with Digital Video Production

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• VIDEO: Building Career Skills in Video Production Class (2012)

  Starting with four hand-me-down cameras and four donated computers, high school teacher Jim Sill and his students built a successful media production business in Central California. Check out these resource links from Jim Sill.




• Related Resources from Edutopia

• Lights, Camera ... Engagement! Three Great Tools for Classroom Video, by Ron Peck (2012)

  Blogger Ron Peck walks us through tools that can turn students into videographers.

• Digital Storytelling: Helping Students Find Their Voice, by Suzie Boss (2008)

  Though making a movie may have become easier, making a good one is still hard to do.

• Make a Movie: Help Teenagers Improve Their Vision, by Ronald Chase (2005)

  Half a year celebrating cinema can change how students see the world -- and themselves.

• How to Use Digital Storytelling in Your Classroom, by Jennifer New (2005)

  Empower student creativity with affordable and accessible technology.

• Students Speak Their Minds Through Digital Media (2002)

  This program helps Latino students deliver powerful messages through video and the Web.

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Differentiating Instruction Through Technology

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  VIDEO: Differentiating Instruction Through Interactive Games (2012)

  Using tech tools and games acquired through grants and his own resourcefulness, second-grade teacher Robert Pronovost tailors math instruction to match students' individual learning styles. Check out these resource links from Robert Pronovost.




• Related Resources from Edutopia

• Fund-raising and Grant Resources for Tech Integration, by Mary Beth Hertz (2011)

  Blogger Mary Beth Hertz shares some great ways to raise money for your classroom technology projects.

• Ten Tips for Personalized Learning via Technology, by Grace Rubenstein (2010)

  To challenge and support each child at his or her own level, the educators of Forest Lake Elementary deploy a powerful array of digital-technology tools.

• How Differentiated Instruction and Formative Assessment Work (2010)

  Educators use frequent formative assessments to determine the needs of each student at Forest Lake Elementary School and then leverage technology to tap into their learning styles.

• Gadgets, Gratis: What's on Your Digital Wish List?, by Sara Ring (2008)

  A nonprofit organization puts tech gear, lesson plans, and other free stuff in teachers' hands.

• Overcoming Technology Barriers: How to Innovate Without Extra Money or Support, by Suzie Boss (2008)

  Five easy, practical steps toward better digital integration in your classroom, from Edutopia blogger and project-based learning expert Suzie Boss

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Getting Started with Free or Low-Cost Technology Tools

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  VIDEO: Free Online Resources Engage Elementary Kids (2012)

  Fifth-grade teacher Nicole Dalesio keeps her class motivated to learn by encouraging them to create multimedia presentations and projects using technology tools on the web. Check out these resource links from Nicole Dalesio.




• Related Resources from Edutopia

• Apps in the Elementary Classroom, by Mary Beth Hertz (2012)

  Blogger Mary Beth Hertz looks at the role of educational apps for younger students and suggests ways of bringing these programs into the classroom.

• Web Tools Collective Blog Series, by Eric Brunsell (2011)

  Edutopia blogger and STEM educator Eric Brunsell leads a three-part blog series to introduce and explore a variety of Web 2.0 tools and show how they can be applied to the classroom.

• Doing More with Less (and Other Practical Educational Technology Tidbits), by Adam Bellow (2011)

  The 2011 International Society for Technology in Education Outstanding Young Educator shares his thoughts on simple ways of integrating technology.

• Resources for Technology Integration, by Edutopia Staff (updated 2011)

  Free materials, downloads, tools, and suggested readings to better understand technology integration

• Which Technology Tool Do I Choose?, by Mary Beth Hertz (2009)

  Edutopia blogger and elementary school computer teacher Mary Beth Hertz helps sort through the myriad options for getting technology into the classroom.

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Programming and Video Games in the Classroom

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  VIDEO: Teaching Teamwork Through Video Game Development (2012)

  High school computer science teacher Ben Chun's students gain programming literacy and collaboration skills as they work in teams to build video games for elementary school students. Check out these resource links from Ben Chun.




• Related Resources from Edutopia

• Program or Be Programmed, by Mary Beth Hertz (2012)

  Edutopia blogger and elementary school computer teacher Mary Beth Hertz explains why students should be encouraged to learn computer programming and suggests ways to capture their interest.

• Game-Based Learning Units for the Everyday Teacher, by Andrew Miller (2011)

  Edutopia blogger Andrew Miller explains that a game-based unit includes structures, themes, and mechanisms for trial and error.

• Video Games for Learning: Resource Roundup, by Edutopia Staff (2011)

  Edutopia's collection of articles, videos, and resources on using video games and simulations in the classroom.

• Programming Is the New Literacy, by Marc Prensky (2008)

  Power will soon belong to those who can master a variety of expressive human-machine interactions.

• Schools Use Games for Learning and Assessment (2007)

  Computer simulations are natural learning tools for a generation of video game players.

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