Using educational technology can enhance the learning in the classroom. Technology should be used to enhance learning and not be used just to keep students “busy”. There should be a specific objectives and a purpose for why technology is being used within the classroom. I often refer to Bates’ SECTIONS model when integrating technology within my class.
Since I specialize in teaching numeracy, I often integrate technology for teaching math. For example, I create interactive lessons using Nearpod. This creates engaging and interactive lessons for the students. By using this method of teaching lessons, I am able to track student progress as their answers get saved and documented. We are also able to share answers with each other as other students answers can be shared on devices (which the teacher controls) so all students can see how different students solve differently and collaborate. This is extremely helpful in numeracy as students all have different ways of solving math questions. From here, this work can then be posted on FreshGrade (online digital portfolio) which our school and district uses for reporting and staff, parents and students can reflect on the learning. My students also enjoy having access to virtual manipulatives and numeracy apps which allows them to further enhance their skills. Many of my older students enjoy watching tutorial videos on Khan Academy to review math concepts that they require more repetition with.
Using and integrating technology is definitely realistic. Many of the classrooms in my school have flexible learning environments where there is always access to technology. The biggest challenges with using technology is that sometimes it is not reliable. Further, having equal access to technology to use within the classroom is difficult. Other challenges also include students not knowing how to use the technology while other students have strong digital literacy skills. Teachers comfort level with using and implementing technology can also be a challenge. Opportunities for professional development for educators to explore technology is essential, especially for seasoned professionals who are more traditional with their teaching practice and may not be comfortable with using and integrating technology within their practice.
I feel your pain with having unreliable technology. I can’t even count how many times we have signed out our cart only to find out that some of the computers are dead, not working or the wifi isn’t working.
I would love any recommendations you have for virtual manipulative and math apps that you use with your intermediate grade students. I have used Explain Everything in the past and Mathletics in the past, but would love to try some new ideas.
Yes when iPads are not charged that is a huge pain as we often have to redo our lesson at a later time as everyone does not have access to an iPad. Wifi is also another big one. There is a website we use visnos that the students enjoy using. Also there a number of free apps by http://oame.on.ca/mathies/apps.php?referringPage=Learning%20Tools. Math Learning Center also has great apps! Hope that helps 🙂
Thanks for the great tips, Amanda! Do you exclusively use iPads or tablets in math? How do you integrate these lessons into FreshGrade? I have not used or seen eportfolios since my student teaching days when I was in a classroom that used ePEARL. It was widely misrepresented, misused, and inauthentic, so I am often curious to see eportfolios successfuly in action.
Hi Allison,
I don’t exclusively use iPads/tablets in Math. It depends what the unit/lessons are and I try to bring a variety to my lessons! FreshGrade is a digital portfolio, so instead of traditional paper report cards, reporting and communicating student learning is ongoing and it’s like a “window into the classroom”. Teachers and students upload work(video, pictures, audio or anecdotal notes) to the individual portfolio regarding lessons they are working on and complete reflections. Parents,teachers and admin can comment and ask questions which creates a dialogue. FreshGrade is widely used within the Surrey School District but it is not mandated. Some teachers use it exclusively as a digital portfolio only but not for reporting purposes, some teachers use the Communicating Student Learning (CSL) paper template and some only use FreshGrade. Thanks for your questions!