Tech Resource Review_5

 Article Review:

"Technology for Teaching"
By Scott Steinberg, Huffington Post (2013)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/scott-steinberg/technology-for-teaching-1_b_2614699.html

This article begins, "Teachers are at the forefront of kids' educational experiences" and indeed, teachers are the face that kids see for a large chunk of their day, and their entire week.  The other "face" that children see is a digital one: the screen of a computer, laptop, phone, iPad, TV.   Technology is becoming more an more prevalent in kids' lives.  With that in mind, it is important that teachers play to this growing attention-grabber.

"Technology for Teaching" suggests 10 strategies for the most effective teaching in today's day and age:

1. Embrace Connected Learning:  This doesn't just mean virtual connection.  It implies linking home with school, the child with his or her interests, the teacher with the student...through an interdisciplinary and differentiated approach to teaching and engaging students through multiple modes.

2. Share Content Online- Fill parents in by posting class photos and projects to a private website.

3.  Have fun with Twitter

4.  Use Video Chats- connect with other educators in far-away places, meet with parents who are unable to come for a conference due to business travel, etc.

5. Create a Class Blog or Wiki - "Encourage kids to respond to in-class lessons or current events and topics, and devise a system for posting thoughts, news or impressions of them to a class blog or Wiki"

6. Put Together a Podcast - Record the kids doing book reviews, news reports, research presentations, etc.

7. Use Pinterest - "Create a private board on Pinterest to share snapshots of classroom activities, projects, and field trips, or encourage parents to connect and find ways to help show their support for the classroom."

8. Create Interactive Maps - "Whether it's marking locations of family trips, tracking the progress of Flat Stanley with the official App or simply identifying state capitals, consider using an interactive map to which children can pin their thoughts or exploits."


9. Harness the Power of Excel - Help kids to develop their excel skills early as well as practice math, computer, and other life skills.

10. Promote Greater Good- Give the class a charity goal to strive for: "[C]lassrooms can use online tools to solicit and track charitable donations, or spread awareness for these causes.

Overall, technology provides teachers and students with an outlet for collaboration and connectivity in both the literal and figurative sense of bringing people together.  Teachers can further engage their class and connect with parents by using tech tools that are popular at the time.  I recommend reading this article and exploring the technology referenced in order to further investigate the benefits of technology in the classroom, as well as to form your own opinions on possible opportunities to use it to enhance the learning experience.