Technology in the Elementary Classroom

Ms. Tracy Blackwell – TannerInstructional Computers

University of Houston

Technology in the Elementary ClassroomUsing technology in the classroom, whether in elementary or secondary school, is an expectation in the curricula of just about every grade level. Some teachers are at a loss as to how to do this. My response to them is that if you make the experience fun, kids will want to participate. It can be your secret that they are learning as well.

2

Technology Assessment in the Elementary Classroom

Technology has a very important role in the classroom today and can be used to teach important concepts in almost every subject area. It is important that teachers become comfortable with many forms of technology so that they can use it in the classroom for learning and assessment to increase student knowledge and proficiency.

3

Reading and Technology Connecting Reading Instruction and

Technology The National Reading Panel has identified

five crucial components of reading instruction that must be delivered in an explicit and organized way. The components of a balanced reading program are phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension instruction. Reluctant readers may struggle in one or more of the crucial areas of reading or merely lack motivation to read. Teaching with technology allows educators to better meet the needs of students with diverse abilities while at the same time increasing motivation of all students. Technology functions as a bridge to higher reading achievement by engaging students in learning that is relevant and meaningful.

4

Computing Technology for Math Excellence

A Vision of Public Education for the 21st CenturyMore About Our Resources

Technology use has the potential to revolutionize teaching and learning

of mathematics, and other content areas. Emerging technologies have changed the way people learn, work, and communicate. As a work in progress, CT4ME shares the vision of public education for the 21st Century as voiced by the Learning First Alliance (2008). That vision pivots around five points:

• Personalization• High Standards• Community Connections• Positive School Environment• Empowered Professionals

CT4ME's major objectives are:• to identify mathematics resources, and resources for integrating

technology into instruction and for professional development,• to assist K-12 teachers to select mathematics software appropriate

for the standards movement,• to identify and evaluate mathematics software, designed to help

students master mathematical concepts and to prepare for state standardized tests, and

• to share other research interests, which include online learning and distance education.

CT4ME has accepted the challenge to help educators locate and use the best

resources associated with the standards movement, professional development,

technology integration, and with excellence in mathematics education.

5

Science in Technology• Edusmart -

http://edusmart.com/• Discovery Education -

http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/

• Brain Pop – http://brainpop.com

These websites are how instruction is taught targeting Science TEKS. Utilizing these websites assist in focusing on better understanding the concept of teaching Science with a little fun to go along with it.

6

Integrating Technology in the Social Studies Class

Lesson Idea

Using the Internet, students should research information about different countries in the world. Ask students to compare five to ten different countries in

different parts of the world, specifically looking for information such as:

– population – literacy rates – number of televisions and telephones – currency – GDP – any other statistics that would apply to the class

that you are teaching.• Ask students to create a chart that contains the

information.

Fortunately for social studies teachers, many aspects of study in the content areas lend themselves to technology integration. Whether it be researching and creating spreadsheets with data, generating graphs or charts, or creating Web scavenger hunts, ideas abound for using technology in your social studies class today. Using your standards as a guide, modify any of the following ideas to fit your curriculum goals.

7

Integrated Studies with Technology• Music• Listening to music produces emotions, and playing music can be just like communicating emotions. Some

people find this a very powerful experience. Music enriches the lives of students and should be considered a necessary part of education.

• Scientific studies of the brain have mapped more extensive neural connections in musicians than non-musicians. Scientists have also observed that studying music often results in enhanced mathematical ability. Some studies have shown a relationship between music and memory (known as the Mozart Effect), but they are less conclusive.

• Art• There are many skills an elementary school child can learn from art classes. A child learns to pay attention

and observe when she draws an object that she is looking at. She learns to plan ahead and follow through when she sketches a series of preparatory pictures before creating a completed painting.

• A child in art class learns to problem solve. If he can't get the clay to do what he wants, does he need more water? Or should the clay be drier (and if so, how to get it that way?)

• Humans have expressed themselves and created artwork since the dawn of civilization. An appreciation for art and exposure to art history gives any student a means for understanding other societies and cultures as well as our own.

8

Additional Resources for Instructional Technology in the Classroom

• Goose Creek CISD Technology available for classroom teachers - http://www.gccisd.net/preview.aspx?name=Educational_Technology

• Kid Pix Deluxe, HyperStudio, PowerPoint or ClarisWorks can be used for more than just report presentations. When you look at these programs through a mathematician’s eyes, you’ll come up with even more unique projects. The cut, paste, rotate tools allow the creator to form unique tessellations, patterns, and symmetrical designs. You can find a series of tutorials on how to tessellate at Tessellation Tutorials.

9

Websites to assists withInstructional Technology

• Reading Sources: Sarfall.com

• MATH Sources:• Funbrain includes Math Baseball, Power Football, Change Maker, Fresh Baked Fractions and more• Aunty Math features biweekly fun challenges, so send in your answer!

• Science Sources: Edusmart.com

• Social Studies: http://streaming.discoveryeducation.com/

• Integrated Sources: http://www.edutopia.org/integrated-studies

10

Technology in the Classroom with Multimedia Lesson Plans By Wendy Russell, About.com Guide

Reference

How to Use Technology in the Classroom: Teaching Technology to Elementary Students and Beyond http://teachingtechnology.suite101.com/article.cfm/technology_integration#ixzz0gsW0K45KContact: Diana Dell, Ed. S. (ddell@vp.k12.mo.us )

Using Technology in the Elementary Classroom by Marilyn Western. Last updated January 2003

Deubel, P. (02/03/10). About CT4ME. Retrieved February 28,2010, from Computing Technology for Math Excellence Web site: www.ct4me.net/about_this_site.htm#top.

http://teachingtoday.glencoe.com/

11

http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/12890.aspx#ixzz0hzu1v2wi

References• http://www.brighthub.com/education/k-12/articles/12890.aspx#ixzz0hzu1v2wi