#4 10 Most Engaging Uses of Tech Integration

Technology in the classrooms can be used to enhance student engagement if used effectively. There are ten examples listed of ways to incorporate technology. Audio and video feedback helps for students to not solely focus on the grade they received, but more clearly understand why they were given that grade. This type of feedback is more personal and also helps to accommodate both visual and auditory learners. Digital portfolios are used for students to be able to share their work and have their peers, parents, and teachers comment on them. Blended learning gives opportunities for students to learn at their own pace by having alternate resources such as a course website, Facebook learning support groups and recorded podcasts that they are able to access at home. It also frees up time in the class to allow for questions and deeper thinking. Social media enhances students’ engagement, if used properly, with tools such as Facebook or blogs. Game-Based learning helps for students to recognize their achievements causing them to be more mindful of their progress. Collaboration tools allow for students to show off their multimedia skills by giving more freedom in what they share. These types of tools also create a deeper interaction between the students. Design thinking lets the students choose more of what they want to share, helping to keep themselves more interested. Another example is given for reaching individuals and groups by explaining how technology allows for students to maintain access of projects they have done by saving them in an online folder and being able to share those later. Allowing the students to track their own progress using technology helps to create a sense of self-advocacy for them by being able to monitor all of their previous work. Visual literacy is also a great accommodation for those who are more-so visual learners. Each of these ten examples describes ways in which technology can help foster a greater development for learning.

Saga Briggs did an excellent job composing this article. By listing these ten factors separately, she was better able to clearly define them. She provided a lot of content in her work, which helped to show her credibility. Each bullet was also followed by an example, which helped to paint a picture of what exactly was being said. I do agree that technology can be very beneficial in classrooms if used properly. I also firmly agree with the quote from David Geurin that was used at the start of the article, “Classrooms don’t need tech geeks who can teach; we need teaching geeks who can use tech.” Technology cannot be used effectively in the classroom if the teacher is not knowledgeable of how to use it. However, if the teacher is knowledgeable, it is up to them to decide which ways of using technology would be most beneficial for their students. For example, I have never been provided an audio or video feedback for my written assignments. After reading Saga’s explanation on this topic, I think that is a great idea for teachers to consider. It happens all too often that I wonder where I went wrong or what I actually did well because of a lack of explanation. I also really like the idea of game-based learning due to the fact that I would consider myself mainly a visual and kinesthetic learner. I think this use of technology helps to accommodate different styles of learning and helps to keep the engagement because it makes class time more exciting. Because of Saga’s descriptions, I was able to understand these ten specific ways that technology can be used to enhance students’ engagement. Her written account of this helps for me as a future educator to better understand effective ways of teaching.

#3 Digital Tools Evolving to Track Students' Mindsets, Emotions

Benjamin Herold writes about the evolving technology in schools that tracks student’ mindsets. This technology is put in place to understand the different ways of learning and have teachers be able to cater more to each individual student. The research gathered is from things such as students’ facial expressions, heart rate, and pupil dilation. This research is then analyzed for signs of boredom, confusion, or engagement. Organizations are working to use digital resources to measure noncognitive competencies. The software they use is to recognize each student’s strengths and weaknesses. Other companies are using technology for assessing how individuals learn. Although there are privacy concerns, many district leaders are excited to see the evolvement of this new wave of technology.

After reading this article, I both agree and disagree with this advancing technology used in schools. Benjamin Herold presented the material with factual information and gave viewpoints from different approaches causing me as the reader to be more inclined to pay attention to what was being said. Although the content of this article did not show statistical evidence, it did explain the modes and reasoning behind this technology. Herold’s writing made me think it was a positive thing for teachers to want to understand more about how every student learns differently. However, I was not made as enthusiastic about the research based on students’ emotions. After the issue of privacy was brought up, I do think delving too much into students’ personal lives can make school seem less about getting an education and more about counseling. I think it is important for teachers to know what is causing their students to not do particularly well on assignments, but I also think there is a fine line between wanting the best for each student and getting too involved.

#2 A Teenager's View on Educational Technology

             Soraya Shockley writes about both the advantages and disadvantages of technology used in classrooms. She discusses, in depth, the effects of tablets, teacher websites, Google classroom, Khan Academy, Twitter, white boards, Evernote, and Google drive. Shockley writes of positives of each of these technology sources. However, she does focus on the negative attributes of each. The main issues she shares about EdTech are cheating, privacy concerns, inequality in access, and price. Shockley understands technology is the future and EdTech will continue to develop, but from her student perspective she shares that her most memorable education moments have come from the hands-on experiences.

            I think that Soraya Shockley did an excellent job on her blog piece about EdTech. I would have to completely agree with her on most topics. Even though I have never worked with sources like Khan Academy or Evernote, I can still relate to the use of technology in classrooms. Personally, I think technology is something we are very fortunate for. However, I think technology is taking away from personal interactions. Like Shockley, I learn better by physically doing. Often when technology is incorporated into classrooms it acts as a major distraction. It also is not always presented in the clearest manner, so I seem to feel like I always have to reteach myself. Much like Shockley, I am very thankful for the use of the technology I have at my fingertips. I do wish that teachers and administrators would be more aware of the student’s opinions on technology and better incorporate their needs.

#1 Introduction

Hi. My name is Katie Barnes. I am from Jackson, Mississippi. I changed my major to Special Education this summer. I was previously a Dance Education major. I have been dancing since the age of three, so it is definitely one of my strongest passions. I recently got engaged, so I am super excited about that. My fiance is in the Air Force and he is going to be stationed in Little Rock, AR. So, after I graduate, I will be moving to Arkansas to teach Special Education there.