Create a post that shares and reviews 3 specific technology tools or resources and how they impact teaching and learning in the k-12 setting.
- Fast ForWord is a computer program we use at JKCS for Grades 1-4. It is a program designed by Scientific Learning that they have described as, “ A radically different online reading intervention that targets foundational phonemic awareness, language, memory, attention, processing and sequencing skills.” It can be used with gifted students who would like to challenge themselves and advance these skills, or for students who need extra support. It can be used on a PC or an Apple product, and it can be used at home or at school. Students from our school love this program because it helps them master the skills listed above through games. It also has a ton of resources and support for instructors facilitating the program, including webinars and videos for training in the program.
- This program impacts learning in a positive way. It makes learning the above skills challenging in a relatable, meaningful manner for students since it’s learning through computer games (an activity most students enjoy).
- It impacts teaching in a positive way was well. Teachers do not always have the time to spend with each individual student on every area they are struggling in. Yes, our classrooms are expected to be way more inclusive than they ever have before, but a teacher is only one person and can achieve only so much in a day. Therefore, this program is useful because it can be used as a teaching tool to guide and help either the whole class or certain individuals as they work independently.
- I have mentioned before that at JKCS we also use BrightLink. There were some of you who were wondering what this was, and I myself had never fully understood what this technology tool was that was being installed in all of the classrooms. I have now looked into what exactly it is, for the benefit of this course, but also so that I am better informed as I enter the new school year. Basically, BrightLink is an Epson product for both businesses or education. Our school has invested in their BrightLink Interactive Projectors. In every classroom we can now, either from laptops or wirelessly through tablets or iPads, have the option to teach from a different perspective using a new technological tool. From here we could invest in document cameras, interactive curriculum software, etc. From what I understand this is now the foundation for our school to begin going further in the area of integrating computer technology in our classrooms.
- http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/jsp/education.do (Check out this link for classroom/school case studies as well.)
- This technological tool can definitely impact learning in a positive way. Like I mentioned above it is a foundation for further technological growth and learning. Using this product opens a whole bunch of doors for students to learn in different ways that they may resonate with, and it provides opportunities for them to stay connected with up-to-date technology in a safe environment - learning safe practices.
- BrightLink impacts teaching in a positive way since it gives teachers another format and teaching tool to blend with their curriculum - units, lessons, concepts, etc. can be taught differently.
- Some of you may already know about this App, but hopefully it’s helpful for others. It’s an App I have used personally, but then just made the connection that it is also the App my co-worker uses in her classroom - QuizUp. It advertises as the biggest trivia game in the world. Students can play against other classmates in real time or individually. It’s an App that is free for both Apple products and Androids. My co-worker uses it as a “free time” educational resource for students. If some of her students are done a test or assignment early she has it set up so that they can only access the certain topics under Education and Language Arts (since that is her rotary subject). I have observed that it is a great way for students to still stay meaningfully and educationally engaged while they have some free time in class. The L.A. section quizzes students on riddles, word definitions, word scrambles, tenses, spelling, and the thesaurus, etc. Students can challenge one another to a set of questions that they try to answer before their opponent. Whichever student has the highest percentage of questions answered first and correctly would achieve a new record for their profile.
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