"Man is still the most extraordinary computer of all."

"Man is still the most extraordinary computer of all."
- John F. Kennedy

I particularly like this quote because it reminds us that though technology offers so many innovative ideas and tools, it is still the person using the technology that matters. Too often teachers rely on computers to give all the answers using phrases such as, "Just Google it". As teachers, we need to remember that our students have the brains, not the computers. We need to teach them to think critically about what they are reading and seeing. We need to teach them to be creative, encouraging them to think about new ways of create, learn, test, and construct. Computers need to be used as a supplemental tool for learning in a way that allows students to think and explore. Technology is created by people, and our students are the ones that may create and shape new technology developments in the future.

Technology Favorites for the Classroom

Here are a few of my favorite links, tools, and sites to use in the elementary aged classroom:

Shelfari: www.shelfari.com

This website allows you to create an online reading community within your class. After creating a classroom profile, students may log in and search for books they are reading and tag them with their name. They may then rate their books, write reviews, start discussions, fill in information regarding characters, etc. Students can see what others are reading, and ask them questions, make recommendations, etc. As a teacher, you may also log on and respond to your students posts. It is truly an engaging and motivating website for young student readers.

Tagxedo: www.tagxedo.com

This website allows students to create pictures using words. Students will enter text, and based on the frequency and number of words, a picture or shape will be created. We used this site for various activities. When brainstorming words to describe a character, words that are associated with a certain topic, etc. The students enjoyed seeing their thinking transform into a picture.

Google Docs:

Google Docs is a tool that allows teachers to create documents, forms, and spreadsheets that can be made accessible to students. After making the links accessible, students may access them to answer questions, etc. All the data is then sent directly to the teacher or creator. I used this tool often to create forms. It could be a quick check-in, a place to answer questions about the reading, reflections, surveys, class votes, and many other possibilities. It is easy to create multiple choice, fill-in, short answer, and other question types that allow you to gain information from the class.

Google Maps and Google Earth:

We used this site to explore various cities and places we read about in books. For example, if a character was in Washington DC visiting the White House, we took a virtual tour of their view. It helped students think about geography, and was a fun activity that supplemented the curriculum. It made the places real for the students.

Portaportal:

Build a portaportal site for you classroom. This site allows you to create a sort of homepage that students can access from home, school, and anywhere else. You can add links to all of the websites, links, forms, and documents that you are using. It is easy to navigate and the organization options are helpful.

Skype:

This past spring another student teacher and I linked our classes together by calling each other through Skype. The students at her school were able to share things they were learning about, and our class was able to share things they were learning about. The students enjoyed this, and I believe it is powerful to be connected to others outside your community. Another way to use this is by allowing students to be "Celebrity Readers". Older and younger students can be linked together as buddies. It is a form of digital pen-pals that allows the students to see who they are connecting to.

Other Sites to Explore:

Scholastic News
Science News for Kids
National Geographic for Kids
Make Beliefs Comix
Brain Pop and Brain Pop Jr.
Dance Mat Typing
Tag Galaxy
Eekoworld
United Streaming

Technology in the Elementary Classroom

Before my student teaching placement Spring term I was hard-pressed to understand the drive behind technology integration in the classroom. However; after watching the students excel and seeing how to supplement curriculum with technology in a meaningful way, I have become an advocate. Whether we like it or not, new developments in technology are changing the way we interact, conduct business, and learn about the world. Technology skills are becoming increasingly important, and as educators we must provide students with the opportunities to learn them. If used correctly, technology can greatly enhance student learning.

I also think that providing technology in the classroom can also help to teach responsibility. Students must learn to take care of their equipment. They must learn how to respect their peers when participating in online discussions or activities. Not only is it an opportune time to teach respect, it is a time to teach cooperation and collaboration. While some students may excel in subjects such as history, math, reading, or science, others may excel at programming or web/media design. Like any other subject, we must give students the opportunity to learn it.

I do believe that technology can enhance student learning, but while integrating technology we must remember the problems that come with it. Things such as computer failures, the Internet being down, and general upkeep and maintenance must be considered when using technology. I plan to have a back up plan in place when using technology so that if you come across a problem there is another activity for students to be doing.

Perhaps most importantly, I think it is important to recognize the divide that technology has the potential to establish. As teachers, we must allow all students to have access to the tools available. We must teach them to navigate these tools successfully, and provide them with meaningful instruction. As educators we must recognize the struggle minority groups and English language learners may face when asked to use technology, and we must rally community support so that every student has an opportunity to excel.