There are many advantages to using educational software in the classroom. However, one must be cautious not to use software for the sake of using technology, and must find ways to incorporate it in meaningful ways.
One advantage to educational software is the opportunity to allow for better organization for both students and teachers. Students can use software like Kidspiration to organize writing, or excel to create more organized graphing in math. Working in a word processing software and saving files eliminates the need for multiple drafts of work and the potential for that work to get lost. Additionally, teachers can use databases for organizing student information, or classroom libraries; excel or other grade recording software to streamline the grading process and even offer online grades to students; OneNote, a program in Office, could be used for keeping student files. The opportunities for software allowing for organization in the classroom are endless.
Another advantage would be time management. Students can save files in one place and work on them and change them as needed, saving time in creating entirely new drafts. If students can work in a program while teachers are helping others, it opens up new educational opportunities and keeps students engaged in academics instead of sitting around.
Educational software also allows opportunities for both remediation and enrichment. If a student is struggling with a topic, or way ahead of the class, educational software can be used to tailor to individual student needs.
The site below comes from Education World and has reviews of commonly used educational software. It rates software based on various elements, and divides the software into different categories to help a potential buyer more easily find what they are looking for. It also provides prices and links to places it can be purchased. I found this website to be very helpful.
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech102.shtml
Another website I used was called SuperKids. It offered reviews of some of the top names in educational software What I liked about this site was its review of "kid appeal." After all, they are the ones using it, so it is nice to know how they feel about it!
http://www.superkids.com/
Friday, September 17, 2010
Friday, September 3, 2010
Module 2 - Essential Questions for Technology Integration
How is educational technology defined?
Educational technology can be defined as the implementation and practice of technology in the classroom for educational purposes. Educational technology can be directed at student use of technology as well as an instructor's implementation of it. As technology changes, the definition of educational technology adapts and changes as well.
How is technology affecting the learning process?
From all the various reading I have done about technology in the classroom, there is a constant consensus based on various studies that points to increased student achievement, participation, and proficiency test scores. Technology also has a positive impact on collaboration, allowing students to extend cooperative learning outside of the classroom. Technology can provide feedback that otherwise could take days to receive or may not even be possible. Providing that feedback opens up time for teachers to have more time to work with students as well.
References
Technology Integration
Educational technology can be defined as the implementation and practice of technology in the classroom for educational purposes. Educational technology can be directed at student use of technology as well as an instructor's implementation of it. As technology changes, the definition of educational technology adapts and changes as well.
How is technology affecting the learning process?
From all the various reading I have done about technology in the classroom, there is a constant consensus based on various studies that points to increased student achievement, participation, and proficiency test scores. Technology also has a positive impact on collaboration, allowing students to extend cooperative learning outside of the classroom. Technology can provide feedback that otherwise could take days to receive or may not even be possible. Providing that feedback opens up time for teachers to have more time to work with students as well.
References
CARET Center for Applied Research in Educational Technology. (2005). Retrieved April 21, 2009, from http://caret.iste.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=questions&topicID=1
Deubel, P. (Sept, 2010). Technology integration: Essential questions. Retrieved September 3, 2010, from Computing Technology for Math Excellence Web site: http://www.ct4me.net/technology_integr.htm
Stratham, D. S., & Torell, C. R. (1996). Computers in the classroom: The impact of technology on student learning. Boise, ID: Army Research Institute.
Technology Integration
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