How to Use Technology in the Classroom
Teaching Technology to Elementary Students and Beyond
Sep 18, 2009
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.
Webquests and the Internet
Web quests are a learning tools that are useful to students in a variety of ways. They enable students to learn how to follow directions and conduct research. They also help children to develop critical thinking skills and creative solutions for problems they might encounter during their investigations. Web quests are often done in groups to encourage teamwork and participation. Because they require the use of the internet, it is important to ensure that students only have access to appropriate browsers to ensure their safety.
Interactive Websites
Interactive websites help engage children visually and kinesthetically. Because television and video games have increased the speed at which children, obtain information, these types of websites help to engage them more easily than static text and build upon prior knowledge stores. Math, reading, spelling, grammar and history can be fun when they are introduced in a way that is engaging for children. For instance, children might read a story online and complete a series of questions through related online game play.
Virtual Museum Tours
In addition, children can experience places and events through virtual museums and time-line interactive video that would normally be inaccessible to them. Virtual museums offer galleries where students can see great works of art in distant countries.
Computer Games
Children learn using all 5 senses and by building on their experiences. Computer games can also teach children everything from phonics to mathematical concepts. Because these games mimic video games, they are fun and interesting for students. The interactive properties of these games makes them so engaging that students may be more likely to learn.
Video in the Classroom
Video is a good teaching tool that can be useful in the classroom for a wide variety of lessons. There are so many internet resources that give children information on a wide variety of subject areas such as science, history and the arts. These video lessons can be incorporated into an overall lesson plan as an added enhancement for visual and audial stimulation. Videos are available various formats and time increments, so they can often be fit into a lesson plan or thematic unit.
Teaching Students Using Technology
Technologies are developing almost daily and can be very useful for teaching students. They should be combined with traditional teaching methods and lessons to make lessons comprehensive, engaging and interactive. Technology can contribute to almost any lesson, and make learning more fun and engaging for students. It can also help them make connections to their own world and open their eyes to different ideas and cultures. In short, technology is an invaluable classroom tool.
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