Technology In the Classroom
Technology is a powerful tool for motivating students and keeping them engaged. If used properly technology can be a great equalizer for helping students with learning disabilities leverage their personal strengths against areas of weakness.
Ipad Apps- iPad apps inspire students 'creativity and hands-on learning with features you don't see on many
educational tool.The students love using the Ipad, and really enjoy the apps. Students are so motivated to use the Ipad that they will play a game over and over , providing them with necessary practice for mastery, that a teacher would not be able to duplicate in another medium. Students get bored with pencil and paper activities and apps let students engage with content in interactive ways, find information in an instant, and access an
entire library. This isn't to say that all Apps are beneficial. Teachers and parents need to go through and find specific apps that are appropriate. I am currently compiling a list of recommended apps. A few I like are; Rocket Man, Talking Flashcards, ABC Tracer, Sum Stacker, Spell Board, and Math Bingo.
Powerpoints- Microsoft PowerPoint provide students with a great way to express what they have learned. For students who have a challenging time writing, powerpoints are a great alternative because they can use text and pictures. Many students have an easier time with the task of typing versus writing. Additionally, it allows students the luxury of being more creative, while it teaches other skills such as summarizing, keyboard skills, learning, remembering and then following the process.
Computer Lessons- Online lessons provide multimedia pathways to help students understand
concepts. Lessons can focus on an essential questions, contain engaging activities, or provide review and practice opportunities. Students may benefit from lessons in reading Comprehension, fluency, and mathematics. At times videos are embedded, providing great visual representation, vocabulary can be quickly explained or shown online. I find Google images is especially helpful for vocabulary. Explaining things such as Couscous and the rain forest is much easier with a visual or video example.
Elmo and Projector – Used effectively these help keep students engaged. Visual lessons increase student memory. Students can use the Elmo and see their work projected on the whiteboard. This is motivating and interactive. The projector is also used to play whole group Trivia games in various academic subjects, as well as to show video clips, newspaper articles, and to model lessons.
Ipad Apps- iPad apps inspire students 'creativity and hands-on learning with features you don't see on many
educational tool.The students love using the Ipad, and really enjoy the apps. Students are so motivated to use the Ipad that they will play a game over and over , providing them with necessary practice for mastery, that a teacher would not be able to duplicate in another medium. Students get bored with pencil and paper activities and apps let students engage with content in interactive ways, find information in an instant, and access an
entire library. This isn't to say that all Apps are beneficial. Teachers and parents need to go through and find specific apps that are appropriate. I am currently compiling a list of recommended apps. A few I like are; Rocket Man, Talking Flashcards, ABC Tracer, Sum Stacker, Spell Board, and Math Bingo.
Powerpoints- Microsoft PowerPoint provide students with a great way to express what they have learned. For students who have a challenging time writing, powerpoints are a great alternative because they can use text and pictures. Many students have an easier time with the task of typing versus writing. Additionally, it allows students the luxury of being more creative, while it teaches other skills such as summarizing, keyboard skills, learning, remembering and then following the process.
Computer Lessons- Online lessons provide multimedia pathways to help students understand
concepts. Lessons can focus on an essential questions, contain engaging activities, or provide review and practice opportunities. Students may benefit from lessons in reading Comprehension, fluency, and mathematics. At times videos are embedded, providing great visual representation, vocabulary can be quickly explained or shown online. I find Google images is especially helpful for vocabulary. Explaining things such as Couscous and the rain forest is much easier with a visual or video example.
Elmo and Projector – Used effectively these help keep students engaged. Visual lessons increase student memory. Students can use the Elmo and see their work projected on the whiteboard. This is motivating and interactive. The projector is also used to play whole group Trivia games in various academic subjects, as well as to show video clips, newspaper articles, and to model lessons.