Reflect on the idea of what a technology-infused classroom looks like. What does a technology infused classroom look like? How do you plan to have a technology-infused classroom?
Thinking about infusing technology into my classroom is a concept I've had for a few years now and the idea has really intrigued me. In my own classroom, I envisioned my students bustling about independently, creating individual products, assisting one another, and collaborating to create assignments together. Students interact during large group assignments with the interactive white board as lessons really come to life and true learning occurs. Students are engaged! They investigate, ask questions, and seek answers. This room is exciting and the students never tire of learning.
The physical layout of the classroom includes a listening center over in one sunny corner of the room, several student computers with the latest product-creating software, a math table full of manipulatives and calculators, a writing center, complete with interesting colored paper and pencils for writing and editing, an organized and full reading library, and finally, student desks which are clustered into groups of four to five for easy group work and collaboration.
Technology is used as a resource in the learning process -- for information retrieval, communicating with others, building models of solutions, engaging in simulations, and making presentations. Students are not given "technology activities," rather technology is used to support instructional activities. Technology "products" are rich in content as opposed to being focused on technology use. Students make use of the computer as needed during an instructional activity (with "How-To" sheets to guide them through any tech use that may be new to them), in addition to or as opposed to during an assigned time.
Having the room ready for learning is a first step. A major component of truly attaining my goal is to make certain to have planned accordingly. Creating effective lessons that support learning through the appropriate use of technology and media is the systematic selection of your instructional strategies, the technology and media, and the lesson materials. In order to positively impact the 21st century learner one must conscientiously plan to implement technology and then strategically embed it into the course content so that its use is meaningful and the overarching educational goals are met.
The room is filled with resources -- technology, books, maps, manipulatives, videotapes, models, and so forth -- so that students have a variety of ways to approach a concept or skill and are not limited to the teacher and textbook. Students use resources as they need them, demonstrating an understanding of what is available to them. The room includes some special-purpose areas for use of limited resources.
The room is designed for learning -- to view teaching as a means of learning, to foster collaboration, yet provide for individuals to work apart from others when desired. The room is designed with student input and is decorated to some extent by the students.
This vision has not completely materialized yet but I am eagerly working towards the day in which it will.
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