Kate's Technology Specialist Blog

  How Technology Impacts Our Students image source: growthbusiness.co.uk This week, I explored several research reports about technology in the classroom and how it impacts our students. I reviewed several reports and infographics and decided to blog about the information that most related to my teaching experience.  Students' Access to Technology for Education The first infographic I reviewed was New Generation of Mobile Devices  from tomorrow.org . This infographic gave some statistics about students' access to technology and internet, as well as the gap that exists between students. This report stood out to me because internet access was a regular issue at my previous teaching position, even before the pandemic. Students had access to a Chromebook and internet at school, but had difficulty completing assignments at home due to lack of internet access. Many of my students would go to McDonald's after school to complete their work, which made the statistic "39% of stu

  Active Learning: QR Codes image source: remark.com What is active learning?    It's no secret that the way students learn has changed over the years. Every generation is slightly different than the last, and it is important for educators to make content relevant to students. This week, I explored how active learning is beneficial in the classroom. Active learning is student-centered, interactive, and allows students to take ownership of their learning. According to the University of Minnesota Center for Educational Innovation, "Active learning is any approach to instruction in which all students are asked to engage in the learning process."  Active learning promotes 21st century skills, keeps students engaged in their work, and encourages problem solving and critical thinking skills. Some strategies for successfully implementing active learning include reciprocal questioning, group discussions, self-assessment, and peer-teaching activities ( Prodigy ). image source: t

  Digital Mapping image source: sportmktg.net Digital Natives vs. Digital Immigrants This week, I explored Marc Prensky's terms "digital natives" and "digital immigrants." These terms were familiar with me, because being a younger millennial, I have often been labeled a "digital native." Throughout my life, I've had to show my parents (born in the 1950s) how to use computers and the internet. To this day, I still have to help my mother navigate new technology. However, I understand how these terms are becoming obsolete as more people than not have grown up with computers and the internet. Compared to my students, I sometimes don't feel like a "digital native." This is because technology and trends in technology are always changing at a rapid pace. Visitors vs. Residents David White's terms, "visitors" and "residents", are more relevant for today's world than the previously mentioned terms. According to Whi

 Trends in EdTech: NearPod and Online Learning Design image source: languagemagazine.com      Exploring Trends in EdTech:     This week, I explored some trending topics in edtech.  After the need to teach online during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is understandable that educators are looking for new and innovative ways to redesign instruction. Having a successful remote class isn't as easy as uploading some math sheets or clicking through a PowerPoint of information. After reviewing these edtech trends, I chose to research more about best practice in online learning design. Good online learning design includes reducing the cognitive load on students, providing different lesson types (whole group, student collaboration, independent work), and consistently assessing student understanding of the content.     NearPod A tool that I found especially helpful in implementing good design is NearPod.   NearPod is a slides-based platform that is perfect for rethinking remote or in-person learn

Technology Frameworks, TPACK, and Self-Evaluation image source:  pgnkey.com   Learning About Technology Frameworks This week, I spent time learning about different technology frameworks. This was an interesting topic for me, considering the first teaching position I had was at a school that had 1:1 computers (before this was common). At the time, I wasn't sure how to implement all this great technology in the classroom. I felt as if I used technology "just to use it" and had no idea why I was using it. After learning about some of these frameworks, I continue to evaluate the tools I use in class and how they deliver the content to students through my chosen teaching strategy. I chose to learn more about TPACK and evaluate myself using this framework. What is TPACK? TPACK , or Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge, is a framework that analyzes how these 3 different areas work together to successfully use technology and deliver content in the classroom. It is im