Technology Integration in the Classroom

In order to communicate effectively with someone you have to be able to understand and speak their language. Today's students have always lived in a digital world. We as teachers must be able to effectively use technology or we will be missing a chance to speak our students' language. It is important for teachers to stay up-to-date as much as they can with technology. There is always some new app, website, or program coming out that could be used in the classroom. Teachers must remain flexible and open to change.

One example of how to integrate technology in the classroom is by using a site like Edmodo. Almost everyone these days uses Facebook, or at least knows about social networking. In many ways Edmodo is the Facebook of the education world. It allows teachers to safely create an online community for their students. Students can post to the group or to the teacher. Teachers can post discussion ideas, polls, or even classwork/homework assignments. Edmodo is a free service and very user friendly. It can be accessed by web or by apps you can download to devices like smart phones and iPads.

My son's 5th grade English Language Arts teacher used Edmodo last year and the kids loved it. They would discuss books they were reading in ELA. They would answer polls and use it to complete assignments. They would also use it to keep in touch with each other and share their artwork or a picture of their new puppy. Edmodo helped create a community of learners. When 5th grade is over the teacher still keeps the students in the online community. From time to time you will see the older students checking in offering words of encouragement to the current 5th graders.

An example of an Edmodo feed.  

Gaming is a big part of technology these days. One way for a teacher to reach the gamers in their class is to use Classcraft, Classcraft is also free. It allows students to create a character and work together with their classmates to "level up." There is also a parents app that allows parents that updates them on their child's progress.

My son's 6th grade ELA teacher is currently using Classcraft. My son comes home excited about class and wanting to talk about the new equipment he has earned in the game. I am excited to learn more about how his teacher uses Classcraft as the school year continues.

What using Classcraft in the classroom could look like. 

Another way to integrate technology in the classroom is by the electronic devices students are able to use in the classroom. My son attends the STEM Academy. At STEM each student is given an iPad of their own during the school year. The iPad is like an always up to date textbook. Students are always connected to Google Classroom and are able to communicate with their teacher if they have any questions. They are able to turn in assignments on their iPad and get instant feedback when assignments are returned.

Google Classrooms has been a life saver for my son. He has ADHD and has trouble staying organized and remembering to turn in assignments. Those struggles are almost nonexistent now. My son can double check his ipad at any time to make sure he has turned everything in on time. Also, since so many things are paperless there are no lost homework assignments and a lot less of loose assignments crumbled up at the bottom of his backpack.