New Technology

Technology Found	Instructional Application	Instructional Strategies	Resource Location
1. iPads	-Use in Language Arts and Science content areas -Using multiple learned skills to create a video documentary	Individually or in small groups students create a documentary. They begin with research on the iPads, followed by recording video and taking pictures. Then they can edit their video together on the iPad.	Pinterest
2. Sifteo Cubes	-Use in Language Arts content areas -Use in small group centers or individual student lessons	These electronic cubes are wirelessly connected to a computer. You can create your own customizable activities that can include sorting, spelling, and word work.	NewSchool Technology Website
3. Class Dojo	-Use in behavior management on computers and iPads/ mobile devices -For use all day long: in the classroom, in the halls, in specials, in assemblies, etc.	This iPad app builds good character by awarding positive and negative points. The teachers must give the buy in in accordance with their specific students. There is real time feed back and parent involvement.	Mind Shift
4.  E-Readers	-Use for Reading content areas -Use for individual students	E-Readers create a better rapport wit reluctant readers. There are many more books available than in a classroom library. Students can write notes in the book, as well as look up words they don’t know.	From Now On website
5. Youtube	-Use for all subject areas -Can be used independently, in small groups, or in whole class settings	This is not a new technology, but there are many innovative ways teachers are using Youtube in the classroom. Teachers can create content to share with students and parents. Students can create content. Teachers can quickly share many content videos with students in the classroom.	NewSchool Technology Website
6. Wikis	-Use in math content area -Teacher creates a shared online space for students to discuss math concepts	Individually, students get online from home to post discussions, questions, take quizzes. The main point is to be able to explain their thinking in solving math problems, and making that thinking known to other classmates not in a “on-the-spot” situation.	Pinterest
7. Brain Pop	-Use in science content area as an anticipatory set for many different astronomy lessons	Use in whole class instruction. Very entertaining videos that still contain a lot of really good information on lots of different astronomy topics. Use video as anti set, the teach the lesson with movement activities, and end with brain pop video quiz for informal assessment.	Pinterest
8. Technologically modified standardized tests	-Use in Math, Reading, and Writing content areas -Standardized assessments using specific new technologies, not bubbles	The new assessment that is still being debated in many states would be given four times a year and include both formative and summative assessment data that would still meet No Child Left Behind’s accountability criteria.	Mind Shift
9. Facebook	-Use in all content areas -Use for student collaboration and group projects -A networking opportunity for students and teachers	There is much debate over the use of Facebook in schools. Some schools have embraced Facebook as a classroom tool. Teachers can create groups and discussion and students can participate, as well as post pictures, videos and links.	Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education
4. Edmoto	-Use in all content areas -Use for student collaboration and group projects -A networking opportunity for students and teachers	A secure website that allows teachers to create different classes, post assignemnts, discussions, and quizzes. Students can participate individually online. There is also a calendar for keeping dates and parent communication.	NewSchool Technology Website

Annotated Bibliography

Fijor, M. (2012, July 12). 1:1 teacher iPad pilot [Blog post]. Retrieved from NewSchool Technology

     website: http://www.newschooltechnology.org/

             This is a website put together by Mark Fijor, a school district technology facilitator. His claim is “Putting a dent in the universe of educational technology.” Here he discusses current events in the field of instructional technology. Some of his more recent topics include the effectiveness of computer labs in today’s schools, TPACK methodology, Sifteo cubes, and new Apple apps like Skitch.

There are many pin boards with the newest technology teaching ideas. (n.d.). Retrieved November 9,

              2012, from Pinterest website: http://www.pinterest.com

              Pinterest is technically a social networking website. It allows you to connect with tons of other teachers from all over the country and borrow their ideas. It is especially applicable in the case of instructional technology. This is not just showing you a list of new technologies: it is giving you first hand experiences with many different technologies and giving you ideas of how to use the technology you have in ways you haven’t thought of before. There are literally hundreds of pin boards specifically geared towards instructional classroom technology.

International society for technology in education. (2012). Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education, 29(1).

The Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education is a published journal that I accessed through the ERIC database. Some recent articles include incorporating math videos into curriculum, challenges and advantages of mobile technology, and how to effectively use blog discussions. This is a very reliable resource as it is peer reviewed and put out by the International Sociaty for Technology in Education.

Barseghian, T. (2012, November 9). Technology in schools [Blog post]. Retrieved from Mind Shift  website: http://blogs.kqed.org/mindshift/tag/technology-in-schools/

Mind Shift is a website put on by Public Media of Northern California. Some of the article topics include apps like Class Dojo, spotlights on master technology teachers, and how to decide what technology is best for your classroom/ school. It also discusses replacing outdated testing practices for more technologically friendly ones.

McKenzie, J. (2012, November 9). The educational technology journal [Blog post]. Retrieved from From Now On website: http://www.fno.org/index.html

From Now On is an online educational technology journal from the mind of Jamie McKenzie. McKenzie writes articles about technology today. He also has written books and he gives conferences and workshops. His latest articles include topics such as ebooks, why we need teacher librarians, iPads, and Internet filters.

Response to Discussion Questions

When I was visiting both schools it was clear to see that some teachers greatly invest in technology integration and some teachers want nothing to do with it. This definitely did not surprise me. I think this is the case in every school across the country. I saw technology being used to help teachers plan and present information. I also saw technology being put into the hands of students, which was great. At one school I saw a lot of iPads being used. Some were used effectively, such as researching in small groups. Some were being used ineffectively, just to keep kids busy with meaningless games. All the technologies I saw I had at least heard of, and many I had worked with directly.

I think that, when used correctly, technology is always the best tool to use. This correlates directly to my definition of technology, in that many non-digital resources can be considered technology including hands on activities such as board games. Technology can be used in whole group instruction in the form of projectors, document cameras, wikis, edmotos, social networking sites, and SMART boards. Technology can be used in small group instruction in the form of hands on activities, iPads, and SMART boards. Technology can be used in one on one instruction in the form of iPads, e-readers, and sifteo cubes.

            Some of the pros of using technology in education are that there are endless resources and learning opportunities that we haven’t previously had. Technology is very engaging for students. Using technology is a life skill that will be more important to our generation of students than it was for us to begin with. We can collaborate to share ideas and resources of using technology in the classroom. Some cons of using technology are that budget constraints make it difficult to get the technology in every classroom. Also, many teachers are reluctant to embrace and incorporate technology in the classroom. Teachers might not have enough knowledge to operate and effectively use the technology.