Using Technology to Engaging, Enhancing, and Extending Learning

Today’s teacher can engage, enhance, and extend student learning by the use of technology in the classroom. However, this can be difficult to accomplish without first looking at what is meant by engaging, enhancing, and extending learning. Breaking down and looking for these characteristics can enhance learning through the use of technology.

Technology should be engaging. This means that technology integration should be motivational, active so students take ownership and become active in their learning, and that the assignment or activity should be little distraction away from the main purpose of the lesson or activity (Keren-Kolb, 21).

(Christensen , Girls Using iPad).

Next, learning should be enhanced. This means that the technology should allow the students to show you their learning in other ways than taking a test or writing a report. Instead, students can use multimedia tools to create an interactive digital presentation that allows students to show what they have learned, such as creating a podcast It also should allow them to develop a more complex view of the topic, without it becoming too complicated (Keren-Kolb, 21).

Finally, the technology should have the ability to extend. This means that students should become more passionate about what they are learning, can find meaningful connections to everyday life, be able to access the technology outside of school, and to apply it outside the classroom, such as using digital art tools on the iPad (Keren-Kolb,21).

Below is a video that discusses how teachers are finding ways to integrate technology thoughtfully, so that the learning is engaging, enhanced, and extend student learning so that teachers can reach 21st century students. The video shows different examples how of how teachers are using technology as a way to teach that is engaging, enhanced, and extends student learning. 

Edutopia

Citations:

Briggs, S. (2013, July 29). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2013/07/29/10-emerging-educational-technologies-how-they-are-being-used-across-the-globe/

Christensen , K. (Photographer). (2012, July 23). Girls Using iPad [Web Photo]. Retrieved from http://www.thesoundsnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/technology.jpg

Edutopia. (2012, December,12). An Introduction to Technology Integration. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d59eG1_Tt-Q&list=PL02AAC2B3653AB69A.

Keren-Kolb, L. (2013). Engage, enhance, and extend learning. Learning and Leading with Technology, (May), 20-27.

Wilson , A. (2012, May 18). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.securedgenetworks.com/secure-edge-networks-blog/bid/78305/6-Ways-to-Engage-Students-with-Technology-in-the-Classroom

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Montlieu Project

This semester I had the pleasure of working with a technology buddy for my Educational Technology for Teaches class. My buddy was a female student from Montlieu Academy of Technology. My buddy and I met every Thursday during my scheduled class time. During the time we worked together, we  used iPad Apps that allowed us to focused on writing.

For our first assignment, we worked on creating a comic book using Comic Life. I made an example of what we were going to make together beforehand so that we could use it as an example. Our comic books focused our our lives at school, our goals for the future, and our educational goals. We took all of the pictures that we used for illustrations.

After we finished this project, I was allowed to come up with different ideas for use to do. I decided that we were going to focus on writing sentences and sentence structure. I decided to focus on these two concepts from making observations while we were working on our first comic book. I noticed that my technology buddy had a hard time coming up with and articulating sentences.  These were some of the activities we did together:

• created stories using the Scribble Press APP
• wrote sentences about general pictures pulled from Keynote and Google
• used the Comic Life App to create another comic book

I really enjoyed working one-on-one with my technology buddy this semester. I was able to learn how to better use my iPad and discovered many different ways to use iPads in the classroom, as well as,  finding really cool educational apps! However, there would be a few things that I think that could be improved for next semester. 

Instead of going during our instructional time, I would have liked to go on my own time. This could be done next semester by assigning a student to a classroom teacher and together come up with the best time for the student to come, such as during a specific special.

 I also wished that our class could have had time set aside to collaborate with each other on different ideas that we could implement with our buddies. I struggled at first to come up with ideas to use and felt overwhelmed by all of the technology apps that are available for the iPad. Several classmates and I just happened to be talking about what we were working on and someone mentioned a really cool app that in passing that I ended up using. I really enjoyed this experience and felt that I learned some very important skills that I can use when I am a teacher. 

iPads in the Special Education Classroom

The iPad is a great tool for special educators to use in their classrooms because it can be used in a variety of ways. The design is great for students with special needs because it easily travels, is user-friendly, has a cool touch-screen and is smaller compared to other products used by special educators. Its price also makes it cost-friendly when compared to other options. The iPad also has numerous functions and can run many different kinds of applications, or apps. 

The iPad can also be used to track behavior. Apps such as Behavior Tracker Pro can be used by both professionals and parents to monitor student behavior. The app allows them to take notes and record video of behavior. The information compiled can even be turned into visual representation to show progress overtime.

Other Useful Apps:

RA Behavior Tracker

 iPads are also being used to help with students who have difficulty communicating. Proloqu02Go is an app that allows students to choose from pictures that then help them formulate thoughts, wants, and needs that then become verbalized by the app. This allows users to communicate with others so that they can be understood.

        Other Useful Apps:

TapToTalk

Speak it!

Special education teachers can also use iPads in conjunction with their lesson plans. By using the iPad,  daily activities such as snack time can be used as a learning opportunity. Students are able to ask for what they want using the iPad communication apps. This allows the teachers to monitor progress of each individual student. 

Other Useful Apps:

See.Touch.Learn

iPads can also be used to help students in reading. Students with communication challenges can have the iPad read out loud to them. This allows students to become more independent and allows them to take ownership of what they are doing inside and outside of school. iPads are a great tool for both professionals and students in special education. 

Other Useful Apps:

iHowTo-Book

Bob Books #1-Reading Magic HD

References

Dun, J. (2010). Retrieved from http:edudemic.com/2010/12/the-ultimate-guide-to-using-ipads-in-the-classroom/

Gilbert, K. (Photographer). (n.d). Retrieved from http://www.herald-mail.com/news/tristate/hm/new-ipads-help-waynesboro-students-learn-20-002,0,4420740.photo