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| Graphic I created during a DPI training session I attended in the winter of 2012. |
For my EDTC 6070 class, I was asked to blog about the best practices in use of digital
resources in the classroom. As a
technology teacher in a high poverty school, I see students and teachers on a
daily basis who struggle with using technology as an educational tool. In terms of best practices, I think the
key is that the curriculum has to drive the activity and the technology has to
be a tool. All too often, I see
teachers who use technology as the means to keep students occupied through
games so they can assess or work with small groups and they fail to see
technology as a tool that can foster student learning through project based
learning activities where technology is a tool used to build knowledge.
I think we are failing our teachers in providing the support
they need to start using technology as an instructional tool as part of the
T-PACK Model. Content
standards should drive instruction and teachers need to have knowledge of how
to effectively integrate technology tools with the instruction they will be offering. Pedagogy is moving towards the teacher
serving more as a facilitator with students rather than lecture style instruction. In order to support that shift in
pedagogy, schools need strong instructional technologist coaching our teachers
with how to best utilize technology tools as part of their instruction. Project based learning is one of the
best ways for having students use technology as a learning tool. In my school, I have been collaborating
with our Science specialist on a project with fifth graders. In her classes, groups of
students have been inventing their own brand of sneakers. With me, students are working in
collaborative groups to develop a commercial using iMovie or Animoto to sell their
product much as an inventor would to profit from his or her
invention. The focus of the commercial project is to develop persuasive writing skills. This is an example of how to use technology as a tool with students to reach that “Sweet Spot” where engagement and
learning are maximized.
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