Technology in the Classroom

How Are They Using Tech?
     My students use technology everyday in the classroom.  When my students walk into my practicum teacher's classroom, they are presented with their lunch options on the Smart-board; before they can unpack, they are supposed to choose their lunch choice.  My practicum teacher uses this to take attendance as well as let them choose their lunch for the day.  At around 10 am, my students prepare to use the iPads to complete FastForward, a program to improve their English.  Once their time using FastForward is complete, they switch to playing on coolmath.com.  After that, my practicum teacher uses the document camera to help the students improve their handwriting; she also uses a microphone to make her voice louder to insure that each student can hear her.  When it's time for math, my students use the iPads to work on Zearn, a program that tutors the students, or the Smart-board to play Knock Out, a game that increases math fluency.

Specials
     Every other week, my student attend technology class.  Here my students learn how to type correctly and other important skills related to the computer.  In science, my students also use a Smart-board during instruction time.

Standards Being Covered?
1. Empowered Learner Students leverage technology to take an active role in choosing, achieving and demonstrating competency in their learning goals, informed by the learning sciences.
     D.understand the fundamental concepts of technology operations, demonstrate the ability to
     choose, use and troubleshoot current technologies and are able to transfer their knowledge to
     explore emerging technologies.

Why This One?
     I think the teachers at Cromer focus on building the students understanding of various technological devices: iPads, laptops, computers, Smart-boards.  In my classroom, technology is used as a tool to help the students become better learners.  My practicum teacher uses technology to give her students an individualized learning; each student is on a different level on FastForward, Zearn, and Coolmath.  Because of this, she uses the technology to give them individualized attention and practice from whatever program they are using.