The best teaching aid is a piece of chalk

The use of technology in the classroom is an important tool to utilize as an educator. Technology allows for educators to have instant access to a plethora of resources that would not be available if technology was not used in the classroom. Teachers have the ability to plan lessons, create presentations, and have interactive games for students to use as a learning tool through the use of different digital devices. Modern day technology is rapidly advancing and providing teacher with many different tools to use in the classroom to enhance the students learning experience.

In group discussions with the students I teach, I have found that they prefer this method of teaching as they can visualise the lesson, which enables them to understand it better. Recently we have been looking at cells, tissues and organs. I used Power point to begin the lessons with, asking questions and encouraging students to ask questions back. I also make sure there are plenty of hand-outs which they can use to complete the work set. I try and make all the work set and hand-outs as visual as possible to capture and hold their imagination. Using technologies in the classroom can be a great asset to all teaching methods as the internet can open up whole new worlds for students. They can help students who struggle with conventional teaching to adapt and move forward with their learning. The Power points and hand-outs can only be used to a certain extent and find that not having interactive whiteboards can sometimes stifle the learning. We only have a small computer suite and this has to be booked in advance so all these can hinder the students. As some of the students we work live in children’s homes or with foster carers we have to restrict what they can access on the internet for child protection. This then can cause problems with the likes of youtube, facebook and twitter as access is denied.

Some learn better through one sense than another. Some learn best through visual approaches, some through tactile approach and others through auditory approaches, on the other hand some learn through a combination of the two. The use of visual stimulation is essential to learning because it is necessary for understanding as imagery is what helps individuals comprehend and remember material (Stoffers 2011). Stoffers further points out that there are a variety of ways teachers can utilize visual aids in the classroom. The mode of presentation can vary from traditional chalkboards and whiteboards to bulletin boards to PowerPoint and even to new technologies like the interactive whiteboard (also referred to as the Smart board). Visual aids can improve learning up to 400% (Stein 2009). This means teachers must put careful thought into building interactive and effective visual aids to help their

In the school each classroom has a smart board with speakers that is positioned in front center of the room. The teachers are outfitted with a MacBook laptop that they can travel with and hook up to the smart board. These computers are equipped with smart notebook, which allows them to write on slides, insert videos, graphs and even games. Teachers use Google Drive to upload lesson plans, documents and materials into a shared folder. Each classroom has a bookshelf full of text books pertaining to the main teachers subject. Some books are Advanced Placement and some for Regents material. There are teacher editions and even DVDs for resources in the

The instructional setting is an elementary school located in a middle class neighborhood. Technological information will be presented to an audience of educators, administrators, specialist, and instructional aids.

Like all technology, the SMART Board has its glitches every now and then. Sometimes, Miss Hampton’s pens do not show up as the color she wants when she writes. The board can also cause stress on Kauth as well. If it is not working properly, it takes her quite some time to figure out what is wrong, this means that the class gets started later and there is not as much time to work. Some of Hampton’s students get distracted during her class and start to draw on her SMART Board, which definitely aggravates Miss Hampton. Bill Ferriter has nothing good to say in the article “Why I Hate Interactive Whiteboards”. He believes he can do the same lessons without a SMART Board. Ferriter argues that it is a tool that does little to promote independent discovery and collaborative work. He mentions that interactive whiteboards are an under informed and irresponsible purchase and they are nothing more than vain attempts to buy change. Everyone has different views of the SMART Board, and some even wonder if it will continue to grow and change our

Learning aids, ICT and special furniture, fittings and equipment– a variety of learning tools and teaching resources, ICT (computers and access technologies), specialist aids and equipment are used, some of which are bulky. Children may need particular furniture, fittings and equipment,

When I was in elementary and middle school I would use pencil grips because I did a lot of writing. My hand would start to cramp up and hurt and the pencil grip would help ease the pain. I also used other items such as a pocket dictionary, a calculator, and wide spaced lined paper. Growing up I used these items in the classroom and while I was at home. The teacher would require us to use these items when she was teaching a lesson. It was interesting to learn that the windows program has an accessibility option. I believe that the computer is one of the best assistive technologies because there are so many things that you can do on the computer. There are websites that the students can use as well as programs designed especially for them. One point that I got out of Ms. Busby’s lecture is that teachers need to use all of their resources. There are so many items and ways to use those items that teachers can use to help their students excel in the classroom. I know that this video is rather old, but one question I have for the guest speaker is what are some assistive technology that teachers are using in the classroom today? Another question I have for the guest speaker is there a time length on certain assistive technologies? For example, John should only use the wide line paper for three weeks or until he has mastered using the

What are examples of devices that students may bring to school for use in the classroom?

In the classroom, there is an interactive white board. All my lessons are planned based on using this piece of technology. I have designed mimios so that the students and I can work together to create book reports, collect facts, and pre-write their activities. These mimios also allow the students to get involved. The students can use the mimio pen to work out the activities that I have created. I will also use the interactive white board to play informational videos to help us learn more about Dr. Seuss. There is also a listening center in the classroom. Since it will not be used as a learning center during my unit plan, I will have it set up so the students can listen to Dr. Seuss books during their free center time. I have also created

First, an article from 1995 proves how much technology has changed when it comes to accessibility. In his Nation article “Virtual Students, Digital Classroom,” Neil Postman points out, “It would be quite astonishing if computer technology equalized all learning opportunities, irrespective of economic differences.” (381). Modern technology is a part of every classroom unlike it was back years ago. Equipment has become accessible to everyone attending classes, not just the wealthy. Fat pencils have been replaced

Thanks to the advantages of technology, teachers have difference ways to teach and share information with students. For instance, 10 years ago, white board is the only choice for teachers. The lessons are delivered by face to face communication between lecturers and students. They must come to class at the same time to study. Moreover, almost knowledge’s are selected from books. Nowadays, white board is replaced by projector and the lessons are shown on the screen

For example, students who learn better by listening can understand more fully with audio and videos shown on the board. (Bell ) For visual learners, students can watch as the lesson develops across the board. Research has shown that students of all ages respond well to interactive white boards. With everyone loving the boards so much, students will jump at every chance to use the board. Interactive Whiteboards make kids want to learn. It makes them more willing to listen and focus on the lesson. Fifty years ago, classrooms didn’t have this kind of technology. Classrooms only had black boards or white boards. (Bell )

Another area in which the direct instruction approach would be necessary is in a company budget meeting. The use of PowerPoint to display statistics to managers is an effective means to reflect sales numbers or profit and loss; PowerPoint is a tool often used in direct instructional approach (Evans, 2006). Printed materials and digital projectors may also be effective in this scenario. These various direct instruction tools assist in the learning process by providing managers with visual aids of an assortment of functions (Evans, 2006).

Across the U.S., technology used in education has been increasing exponentially. Every learning institution ranging from elementary school to college have incorporated technology into their teachings. Online textbooks, quizzes, notes, and classes are all examples of how education has been utilizing technology. While technology has a place in education, not everything in education needs to involve technology.