Developing Technology-Enriched Curriculum Units

USVI 1998 Summer Technology Institute

USVI Department of Education SEIR*TEC/Learning Innovations

Workshop Goals

To overview the variety of ways in which instructional technology can be integrated into the curriculum so that students will be engaged in powerful learning experiences.

To think about moving from the traditional approach of adding technology to traditional directive classroom instruction to adapting curriculum to be student-centered using a variety of technology tools.

USVI Department of Education SEIR*TEC/Learning Innovations

Concept Mapping a Unit

Activities should be based in curriculum objectives and make use of existing technology.

Understand that not all areas will be technology-enriched. Don’t force the fit.

Activities make use of multiple technologies and applications

USVI Department of Education SEIR*TEC/Learning Innovations

Example: Dinosaur Theme

THEME: DINOSAURS

SOCIAL STUDIES

Create a dinosaur database, including

height, weight, length & time

period.Software:

ClarisWorks

Locate on a world map the

locations of dinosaur fossils.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Children will write dinosaur

poems.Software:

ClarisWorks

Children will write "If I Were

a Dinosaur" stories.

Software: The Writing CenterChildren will

create a dinosaur word

search.Software:

Puzzles and Posters

MATH

Survey and create a graph

of class's favorite

dinosaur.Software:

Graph Club

Create a booklet of

dinosaur word problems.

Software:Kid Pix

Create a graph comparing

Height, weight and length of

dinosaurs.Software:

Graph Club

SCIENCE

Make a chart categorizing dinosaurs as meat or plant

eaters.Software:

Graph Club

Create a class book

"Whatever Happened to Dinosaurs?"Software: The Writing Center

Children will create their own fossils.

VISUAL ARTS

Create a slide show for dinosaur research reports.

Software: Kid Pix

Design cover for "If I Were a

Dinosaur" book.

Create 3-D plasticine dinosaurs

Create a dino flipbook.Software:

downloaded from Field Museum of

Natural History

Dinosaur Research Reports

Software: Kid Pix, Dinosaur Adventure, Dinosaur

Discovery

USVI Department of Education SEIR*TEC/Learning Innovations

Technology Resources and Access to Resources

What technology resources do you have available (hardware and software) and what access do you have to those resources? Understand different categories of technology

Tutorial, Application, Exploratory Communications

Who can help you locate technology and non-technology resources? Technology Coordinator, Librarian, Other teachers,

Parents.

USVI Department of Education SEIR*TEC/Learning Innovations

Develop Your Big Picture

Map One of Your Curriculum Units.Inventory Your Technology Resources.Develop your Project.

USVI Department of Education SEIR*TEC/Learning Innovations

Map One of Your Curriculum Units

Should show particular activities that support various learning objectives.

Can be an entire thematic unit or a particular subject area unit.

Make it something that you can use.

USVI Department of Education SEIR*TEC/Learning Innovations

Inventory Your Technology Resources

What is available? What do you need to use these resources?In-school supportTraining, documentationTime to experiment and learn.Physical access

USVI Department of Education SEIR*TEC/Learning Innovations

Choosing a Unit and Developing a Project

Examine your Curriculum Map. Where could technology improve student learning? Where do technology resources and ideas exist to

support learning objectives?

Rewrite the lesson/unit. Revise your goals to reflect changes due to

Technology infusion.

USVI Department of Education SEIR*TEC/Learning Innovations

Prepare your unit/activity materials and assessment tools.

Create a schedule that allows students maximum use of technology.

USVI Department of Education SEIR*TEC/Learning Innovations

What Constitutes a Good Technology Project?

One that fulfills existing curricular objectives.One where technology expands student

learning of a particular objective or topic.Something that is “do-able” given existing

time and resources.Something that does not focus entirely upon

the use of technology.

USVI Department of Education SEIR*TEC/Learning Innovations

Technology Used by Students, Not Just for Students.

Requires alternative instructional strategies.Students become co-learners or even teachers.May necessitate changes in classroom

management style.Changes the way students interact with others.

(students, teachers, other school staff)

USVI Department of Education SEIR*TEC/Learning Innovations

Developing Your Project

Understand your goals and objectives.Seek additional assistance from colleagues

and technology support staff.Use the project template as a guide.

USVI Department of Education SEIR*TEC/Learning Innovations

Summary

Important question to ask yourself.

What value does the use of technology add

to my lesson/unit?

If you can’t answer the question, then you

need to rethink the use.

USVI Department of Education SEIR*TEC/Learning Innovations

Getting More Information

SEIR*TECEmail or Call

seirtec@serve.org 800.659.3204