Some teachers are afraid to use technology or they feel that there is not enough time to effectively implement technology. Others are so overwhelmed with all of the demands in the education field that technology becomes less of a focus in daily instruction. One common teacher complaint that I hear (and personally experience) is that there is a lack of technology resources in our classrooms.
This is true for many of us. I personally have not had a decent working projector in my classroom until two weeks ago! I am at the top middle school in my district, and I had to beg and plead for months just to get my projector fixed. Despite our lack of available technology, our students still need to learn how to use emerging technologies. Technology can also intrinsically motivate students and provide the vital assistance that struggling learners need. So what can we do with our limited resources? We may only have one computer or a television and VCR, but there are still some ways that we can use technology to teach and motivate our students.
Ways to Incorporate Simple Technology Tools
This is true for many of us. I personally have not had a decent working projector in my classroom until two weeks ago! I am at the top middle school in my district, and I had to beg and plead for months just to get my projector fixed. Despite our lack of available technology, our students still need to learn how to use emerging technologies. Technology can also intrinsically motivate students and provide the vital assistance that struggling learners need. So what can we do with our limited resources? We may only have one computer or a television and VCR, but there are still some ways that we can use technology to teach and motivate our students.
Ways to Incorporate Simple Technology Tools
Digital Camera - Although many elementary teachers use cameras to motivate students, secondary teachers can also use them. I bring my own digital camera to my 8th grade classroom and take pictures of students when they are working well together or doing a fun activity. I have a star student wall that all students try to be on. I make it a point to get all of my 136 students up on that wall at least 1-2 times during the year. I also use the digital camera as an academic vocabulary activity. Student groups take turns taking pictures of items that relate to academic vocabulary. Also, many students have digital cameras at home, so there are many additional activities you could do with them.
Tablet - I bring my personal tablet for using different Apps in the classroom and for noting class behavior and progress while monitoring the class. While using my tablet rather than my computer, I can constantly move around the classroom without having to be at my desk.
Tablet - I bring my personal tablet for using different Apps in the classroom and for noting class behavior and progress while monitoring the class. While using my tablet rather than my computer, I can constantly move around the classroom without having to be at my desk.
Cellphones - While some schools still do not allow the use of student mobile devices, some schools are starting to create mobile device policies. Even if you are limited to using only your own smartphone, you can still utilize apps (such as Classdojo and Edmodo).
The One-Computer Classroom
Some teachers are lucky to have numerous computers in their classroom, but many of us only have one. In addition to using the computer to broadcast common educational technology tools such as PowerPoint presentations and Youtube videos, a single computer can become a powerful learning tool that utilizes a variety of multi-media and web-based tools.
Airplay - If you school doesn’t block it, there is an Apple Application called Airplay which can broadcast your actions from your Ipad to a computer. If your computer is connected to a projector, you can display your actions, applications, etc. for your students from your iPad.
Whole-Class WebQuests - If you have a projector connected to your computer, you can perform WebQuests together as a class. You can break it up by visiting and exploring the digital resources as a class and then having students complete learning activities associated with what you are viewing.
Whole-Class Software - The same thing can work for software as for with WebQuests. I can see this being very useful in elementary school with spelling, vocabulary and other types of interactive software.
Stations (learning centers) - I have found this to be my favorite way to use the technology in my classroom. I am lucky now to have 4 computers as of 2 weeks ago, but I have always just had 1 to work with. If I find a unique or worthwhile online activity or if I plan a project that requires technology, I will have the students work in stations where they can all eventually have a turn at the station with the computer(s).
Other Ideas - You could also potentially have a whole-class project, such as a Wiki, where students take turns using the computer to collaborate. If you do an inventory of what technology students have available at home, you could assign technology tasks and projects for homework. If you want to incorporate blogging in your classroom, you could assign students to blogging groups where they take turns blogging and sharing with the class.
Personal Experience
In addition to my incorporation of the above ideas, primarily with technology stations, there are a few other ways I have utilized technology in my classroom. When using the software for an interactive and inquiry based scientific exploration called “The Great Ocean Rescue”, we realized that we did not have enough computers to allow the students to work in teams, as the program intends. My team of teachers decided to go through the task software as a whole class and break it up into segments so each team of students could still complete the activities on their own.
Most schools also have at least one media center or lab with computers. Unfortunately, these computers are becoming more frequently used for testing purposes. If you try to book these labs, you may not be able to reserve very much time in them. That makes it important to prepare students for the activities or projects prior to visiting the computer labs to ensure the best possible use of your time. Screencasts of instructions can be created prior to the lab time so that students can be prepared for what they will be doing. See the video below for a brief tutorial on a screencast tool you can use in your classroom.
Airplay - If you school doesn’t block it, there is an Apple Application called Airplay which can broadcast your actions from your Ipad to a computer. If your computer is connected to a projector, you can display your actions, applications, etc. for your students from your iPad.
Whole-Class WebQuests - If you have a projector connected to your computer, you can perform WebQuests together as a class. You can break it up by visiting and exploring the digital resources as a class and then having students complete learning activities associated with what you are viewing.
Whole-Class Software - The same thing can work for software as for with WebQuests. I can see this being very useful in elementary school with spelling, vocabulary and other types of interactive software.
Stations (learning centers) - I have found this to be my favorite way to use the technology in my classroom. I am lucky now to have 4 computers as of 2 weeks ago, but I have always just had 1 to work with. If I find a unique or worthwhile online activity or if I plan a project that requires technology, I will have the students work in stations where they can all eventually have a turn at the station with the computer(s).
Other Ideas - You could also potentially have a whole-class project, such as a Wiki, where students take turns using the computer to collaborate. If you do an inventory of what technology students have available at home, you could assign technology tasks and projects for homework. If you want to incorporate blogging in your classroom, you could assign students to blogging groups where they take turns blogging and sharing with the class.
Personal Experience
In addition to my incorporation of the above ideas, primarily with technology stations, there are a few other ways I have utilized technology in my classroom. When using the software for an interactive and inquiry based scientific exploration called “The Great Ocean Rescue”, we realized that we did not have enough computers to allow the students to work in teams, as the program intends. My team of teachers decided to go through the task software as a whole class and break it up into segments so each team of students could still complete the activities on their own.
Most schools also have at least one media center or lab with computers. Unfortunately, these computers are becoming more frequently used for testing purposes. If you try to book these labs, you may not be able to reserve very much time in them. That makes it important to prepare students for the activities or projects prior to visiting the computer labs to ensure the best possible use of your time. Screencasts of instructions can be created prior to the lab time so that students can be prepared for what they will be doing. See the video below for a brief tutorial on a screencast tool you can use in your classroom.
It is my experience that there is always some way that we can integrate technology, no matter how limited our resources may be. I would love to hear if you have any additional ideas for utilizing minimal technology resources.
Resources
Images: Hicks, Mark. (2012). Discovery Education Clip-Art Gallery. [Web source]. Retrieved from http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/.
Video: tyroneshum (Feb 23, 2011). How to Record a Screen Capture of Your Computer: Screencast-O-Matic. [Web video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXUzW_de20I.
Resources
Images: Hicks, Mark. (2012). Discovery Education Clip-Art Gallery. [Web source]. Retrieved from http://school.discoveryeducation.com/clipart/.
Video: tyroneshum (Feb 23, 2011). How to Record a Screen Capture of Your Computer: Screencast-O-Matic. [Web video]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXUzW_de20I.