Results (Survey, Interview, and Observations)

Survey and Interview

Interviewer: Juan Bottia

Interviewees: 4 Classroom Teachers

Surveyed teachers: 10

In your opinion, what is educational technology?

Teacher A

Educational technology includes tools and programs that enhance learning. It is easier sometimes to say what it is not: it is not replacing paper-and-pencil activities with a digital version of the same task. To me, true educational technology makes learning possible that would be impossible without it.

Teacher B

Educational technology is using the internet and various programs to enhance students learning.

Teacher C

21st century teaching tools such as laptops, tablets, and other electronic devices.

Teacher D

Any type of technology whether hardware or software that enhances, or even makes possible, learning in the classroom.

What teaching tools do you use to help students think critically about the curriculum?

Teacher A

Most often, I think that the tools themselves do not help students to think critically about curriculum, but they might facilitate it. For example, if I use Zaption or Nearpod with a variety of media types and solid higher-order questions, students are more likely to interact with the content and make connections. So, they are more able and likely to think critically about the curriculum than they would be if I just showed them a video or had them read a text about it.

Teacher B

Give them the Big Idea and allow them to create tasks and assessments that allow students to learn and teach others what they know.

Teacher C

Technology tools? We just researched for our informational books and students used various sources, both online and from the library. We also use various apps on the iPads for math and lit centers.

Teacher D

Students feel more engaged in a lesson when they can provide their own input on high-interest topics. By making connections between students and the content, students will be more likely to think critically about an idea or the curriculum. Technology helps to promote this type of learning.

How do you think high educational technology can help you create rigorous learning tasks?

Teacher A

Technology is a tool that engages the students were they could work independently, and still get teacher feedback.

Teacher B

Yes, technology proves over and over again that engagement is how you determine if they are actively learning. If the engagement is not there it forces the teacher to raise the rigor on tasks.

Teacher C

Educational technology can give students an opportunity to dig deeper into a single subject, experience areas that once were not possible in a static classroom (explore the Sistine Chapel through Second Life) or encourage group collaboration and peer review through the use of the technology.

Teacher D

Technology allows implementing a curriculum to be more flexible, which allows for more options and opportunities for creating various learning tasks.

What type of technology helps you create and implement your curriculum?

Teacher A

Most often, I think that the tools themselves do not help students to think critically about curriculum, but they might facilitate it. For example, if I use Zaption or Nearpod with a variety of media types and solid higher-order questions, students are more likely to interact with the content and make connections. So, they are more able and likely to think critically about the curriculum than they would be if I just showed them a video or had them read a text about it.

Teacher B

Give them the Big Idea and allow them to create tasks and assessments that allow students to learn and teach others what they know.

Teacher C

Technology tools? We just researched for our informational books and students used various sources, both online and from the library. We also use various apps on the iPads for math and lit centers.

Teacher D

Students feel more engaged in a lesson when they can provide their own input on high-interest topics. By making connections between students and the content, students will be more likely to think critically about an idea or the curriculum. Technology helps to promote this type of learning.

How can we use technology to develop the different realms of thinking?

Teacher A

We can use technology to help our students to think in different ways by giving them opportunities to be creative about how they learn, experience, or present ideas.

Teacher B

I think that technology allows students to show their personality and the show their mode of thinking they most connect with. Project based learning gives students many options to show you what they know in the way that is most comfortable for them. The exposures to other ways of thinking are shown by other students. It opens their eyes and gives them the opportunity to try something new with the next task.

Teacher C

The same way you would without it! Technology is just one of many ways

Teacher D

Technology can be used in various ways to allow students to critically think about a topic and provide their own opinions and thoughts on a topic more discreetly.

What types of instructional practices develop a dependency to use technology?

Teacher A

I can think of sometimes when it would be difficult to manage without technology, but I cannot think of specific practices that would develop a dependency on technology. Perhaps if an educator were unfamiliar with materials and curriculum, it would be difficult to teach without technology.

Teacher B

The quick, easy accessibility of resources allows teachers to depend on using technology. Differentiating becomes simple when those resources are at your fingertips. Teachers can focus on the rigor and not as much time gathering resources.

Teacher C

I don't feel I'm dependent on technology.

Teacher D

Modeling the use of technology through instruction is key to developing dependency for these resources.

How can we develop a curriculum that makes technology relevant to the task?

Teacher A

We could all stand to learn more about what kinds of tools are appropriate for certain kinds of tasks.

Teacher B

Start with the task and the goal. Find a way to incorporate tech, project based to lead the instruction. It automatically becomes part of every lesson whether it is for assessment or task completion.

Teacher C

Cross-curricular planning!

Teacher D

You need to understand what the students really need to know and then add technology into it; don't just use technology to say you use technology

Observations through Learning Walks

Grade Level:

2nd (Math)

Technology Available:

-Base ten blocks

-Counters

-Charts and signals to facilitate center rotation

-iPads (Math game app)

-Laptops (Mathplayground.com)

Technology Set-Up:

-It is distributed in centers

-The technology is readily available. Students do not have to bring any materials with them.

Observable task using educational technology:

-Students using base ten blocks to learn about place value

-Students using the iPads and laptops to work on online math games

-Ability grouping to differentiate instruction

Other notes:

-Independent tasks using the iPads and Laptops did not include higher level thinking

Grade Level:

3rd (Language Arts)

Technology Available:

-Laptop Google Classroom

-iPads (iMovie, Raz-Kids)

-Highlighters

-Graphic organizers

Technology Set-Up:

-Electronic devices are on one table

-Students have a book box that is used to store notebooks, books, textbooks, scissors highlighters, and pencils.

Observable task using educational technology:

-Students completing tasks on Google Classroom

-Students using highlighters to distinguish the main idea from other minor details

-Ability grouping to differentiate instruction

Other notes:

-Students independent learning task required them to create a brochure.

Grade Level:

4th (Language Arts)

Technology Available:

-Laptop (Google Classroom)

-iPads (Students recording each other read)

-Graphic organizers

-Sticky notes to annotate text

-Chart containing annotation codes to use to track thinking while reading

Technology Set-Up:

-It is distributed in centers

-The technology is readily available. Students do not have to bring any materials with them

Observable task using educational technology:

-Students completing tasks on Google Classroom and Discovery Education

-Students reading independently and using sticky notes to annotate the text

-Ability grouping to differentiate instruction

Other notes:

-Students were creating a poster board using Discovery Education

Grade Level:

5th (Math)

Technology Available:

-Laptop (Study Island and Ten Marks)

-Protractors

Technology Set-Up:

-It is distributed in centers

-The technology is readily available. Students do not have to bring any materials with them

Observable task using educational technology:

-Students answering multiple choice questions using Study Island or Ten Marks

-Students using a protractor to measure angles during guided math

--Ability grouping to differentiate instruction

Other notes:

-Even though Study Island and Ten Marks are rigorous programs, I did not see students engaged while using these programs

How important is the usage of educational technology tools in your practice?

TeachersVery ImportantImportantFaily Important6.03.01.0

How often do you use educational technology tools in your classroom?

SalesEverydayTwo to Three Times a WeekOnce a Week7.02.01.0

Do you think students should depend on educational technology tools in order to complete rigorous tasks?

SalesStrongly agreeNeutralDisagree4.04.02.0

What web 2.0 tools do you use in your classroom?

TeachersSocrativeGoogle Apps for EducationSocial Media (Edmodo, Instagram, and Twitter)ZaptionPadletBloggingDiscovery EducationNoteFlightSonic PicsChatterpix3.06.02.01.01.06.04.01.02.03.0

What teaching tools do you use to help students think critically about the curriculum?

TeachersKahn AcademyDiscovery EducationGoogle Apps for EducationBloggingReadWorksiPadsReading A - Z1.04.06.06.02.05.08.0

What type of technology restricts you from creating and implementing your curriculum?

TeachersBad Internet connectionApps that don't provide dataServer problems9.03.09.0