Technology and Curriculum Integration

Our group was assigned chapter 6 Technology and Curriculum Integration. We were happy to have this chapter because it is something we found to be very interesting and a helpful resource for our classrooms. We also felt that it was something that the other students in our class will find interesting and motivating, as they will be integrating technology into their own classrooms. Our group worked very well together. We discussed what we thought were the major highlights of the chapter. From there we divided the work into sections and came back and collaborated our ideas into a PowerPoint presentation.
Classroom Management Techniques:


* Teachers need to ensure equal access. Not everyone needs the same amount of time to accomplish a given task. For example: if a class is divided into five groups, assign computer time one day per group per week. Teachers should also avoid periods that will be interrupted (e.g. by music).
* Teachers also need to vary the usage and types of access. Teachers can differentiate between: whole class work, group projects, partners, individuals, open-scheduling (e.g. 10 minutes per person X the number of people).
* Teachers also need to make modifications for higher ability and lower ability students. A printout of the results of the session is helpful.
* Have someone at the computer at all times. To track what student has been at the computer teachers can keep a log. Teachers can also schedule use during early morning, recess and lunchtime.
* Teachers need to arrange access to more computers: Send students out to use other computers: to the library, to the resource center, or even to a vacant classroom when those students are at physical education or music. Organizing aids are a must to keep a well-organized classroom.
* Use organizing aids: Use a journal to record usage, post sign-up (and sign-out) sheets next to the computer, and use a pocket chart with a card for each student; they turn their cards over after a turn and when all are done, they start over. You can also have a popsicle stick for each student and two jars, one labeled “Been There” the other labeled “Not Yet”. The students take the sticks out of one jar and put them in the other as they complete the work. I think that is a great idea. In the future, if I am lucky enough to have computers in my classroom I will use this management technique.

Integrating Technology into the content areas:
http://www.remc11.k12.mi.us/bcisd/classres/intideas.htm
General Ideas:

* Power Point Presentations: lectures, school board and PTA presentations, open houses: info for parents and welcome to classroom, showing class rules.
* HyperStudio Stacks: welcome to the classroom and getting to know you (students fill in information about themselves), classroom rules and consequences, book recommendations, create and/or tell stories, present and assess information
* Web Pages: calendar of school/building/classroom events, school activities, faculty/staff pages

For each the content areas of Social Studies, Science and Health, English Language Arts, Math, Art, Music and Physical Education provided ways to integrate technologies of:

* Word processing Software
* Spreadsheet and Database Software
* Desktop Publishing and Graphic/Paint/Draw Software
* Multimedia software such as PowerPoint, Hyper Studio, or Web pages

As a group we also discussed interactive websites that can be used in the classrooms:

* Fact Monster
* APlusMath
* PBSKids
* BrainPop
* Starfall
* Discovery Kids