Ways to Use Technology in the Classroom
Our participants during the conduct of our seminar workshop. Nanay (left) is a retired teacher from Calao-calao Elementary School. She joined the seminar-workshop because she believes that learning is a lifelong process. According to her, "Dili pud ko magpa-ulahi. Wala na sya sa edad basta willing lang makabalo".
Ed Tech Activities for Beginners
Do a PowerPoint “Game Show Review”
Many tech-savvy teachers have used Microsoft PowerPoint to create review games based on famous game shows, including “Jeopardy!,”Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?" and “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” These templates are available online for teachers to download and revise, including their own content. Check out this template or search “powerpoint game show template” online. A fun way to practice using a projector and get your students to review important material!
Have students complete a written classroom activity as if it was online.
Ever have your students write a diary from the perspective of a character or famous person? Why not have them create a blog instead? Take a look at various blog sites (Blogger and WordPress are two of the most popular) and create a template for your students to fill in.
Use technology as a topic for a writing assignment
For younger students, have them write a “how-to” piece about using technology in the classroom. It’s a natural fit, as young people usually have a higher comfort level with technology than many adults. Tell students to write a piece instructing someone – maybe a grandparent? – on how to send an email, set up an Ipod, or play a video game. Also, have them research the impact technology has had on a particular time in history or science or include a unit on science fiction and technology in your Language Arts curriculum.
An Introduction to Technology Integration
Give multimedia presentations – or have your students give them
Liven up a traditional lecture by using a PowerPoint presentation that incorporates photographs, diagrams, sound effects, music, or video clips. For high school teachers, consider having your students develop presentations as a review tool before semester exams. Their work may be so good that you will want to use it in future classes!
Create a class blog or wiki
Take appropriate precautions for Internet safety, but a class blog or wiki can be a great way to integrate technology in the classroom and develop student knowledge. Some teachers use blogs to drive outside-of-class discussion – particularly helpful for AP/IB students who are motivated but short on class time.
A wiki is a website that uses software which allows many different people to edit it (think Wikipedia). Have your students work together to create a wiki on a topic they are studying. They will need to correct each other’s work and collaborate in order to make it a success.
No matter what your skill level, integrating technology in the classroom offers the chance to increase student interest and teach valuable professional skills – and have some fun!
