How To Be a Digital Citizen

 

This year, classrooms are going digital in greater numbers than ever before. We are seeing a variety of devices in the classroom, even as early as kindergarten. Tablets are being used by students to conduct research, practice skills, create, code, and much more. As our students enter the next generation of learning, we, as teachers, must keep up with classroom trends. As we use technology in our instruction and planning, we should set a good example for our students.

Most teachers are afraid of technology. In our classrooms, tablets, laptops, educational software, and other types of technology can be overwhelming. Keeping up with the ever-changing wave of technological advancements can turn a teacher off from the idea of converting their classroom to a digital one. To become a digital teacher, teachers must take one step at a time. We must also recognize that not all schools and districts are the same. Not every school has iPads for every student. Some schools hardly have any teacher workstations equipped with a computer or laptop. 

My first suggestion in becoming a digital teacher is to become acquainted with the devices in your classroom. Take the devices home for a few days and practice on them if possible. On the tablets, you can play games, type a letter to a friend, search the internet, or listen to music. Learning about these devices and their capabilities will help you come up with creative ways to use them in your classroom.

Be self-assured and solicit assistance from your students. Your students are the experts in technology. Allow them to teach you something for a change; you will be amazed at what your students can teach you.  

Each week, create digital lesson plans. You will gain knowledge and expertise in online programs, uploading, editing, and a variety of other topics. You will appreciate the convenience of being able to access your lesson plans from any device. Google Drive allows you to save and edit your plans, as well as make changes and view them on your phone, computer, or tablet. 

Finally, before implementing technology in your classroom, determine your desired outcomes. Don't use the iPads in your classroom just to say you did or to check something off your list. Technology requires a goal. Technology is a tool that you and your students can use. Find a passion for it and demonstrate it to your students on a daily basis. The more you incorporate it for a meaningful purpose, the better it will be for your children, and they will accomplish more.

Tools For Online Assessment

 The term assessment in education refers to the wide range of methods or tools used by educators to evaluate, measure, and document students' academic readiness, learning progress, skill acquisition, or educational needs.

You teach in the twenty-first century, which means you plan, share, and learn using the internet and digital tools. Hence, whether for blended learning, a flipped classroom, eLearning, better communicating learning progress to parents, or students tracking their own mastery, online assessments could be a boon to your teaching. The following are some tools:

1) Google Form: Google Forms is popular among teachers because it is quick and easy to create and grade quizzes. 

2) Poll Every Where: Students can engage and teachers can receive and provide immediate feedback thanks to the quick setup and interactive features.

3) Menti meter: This tool can be used to create dynamic presentations that balance information and interaction.

4) Jam board: A whiteboard application that can be used across multiple devices for collaboration. This application allows students to collaborate and create presentations.

5) Nearpod: Near pod is a classroom tool that allows teachers to engage students in interactive lessons. Near pod enables you to create and share lessons that sync across devices and encourage student participation, as well as evaluate student responses through detailed reporting.

6) Padlet: Padlet is a simple online board that allows teachers and students to share and collaborate. It works on any device and allows you to share virtually any type of information–text, links, upload files, photos, videos, and virtually any type of response. You can also design your pages in a variety of ways.

 

Integrating Technology into Teaching

The term "technology integration in education" simply refers to the use of technology to improve the learning experience of students. The use of various types of technology in the classroom, including a virtual classroom, results in learners who are actively engaged with learning objectives.

There are numerous reasons why technology is an important part of school learning. Whether we like it or not, technology is everywhere, and our students must be familiar with it in order to succeed in  education and the business world. Some of the reasons for the importance of technology in education are as follows:

Technology has the potential to improve teacher-student relationships:

When teachers successfully integrate technology into subject areas, they advance to the positions of adviser, content expert, and coach. Technology enables us to make teaching and learning more meaningful and enjoyable. Students can also collaborate with their classmates using technological applications.

Technology keeps students interested:

This generation's students are referred to as technological learners. They learn best when they are more interactive, and technology enables them to do so.

There are no limitations with technology:

Having access to information outside of the book allows students to learn a concept in a variety of ways. Teachers can come up with innovative ways to engage their students in their learning. Technology has altered the learning environment, making it more hands-on. Schools across the country have a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds, and children do not always have access to the resources they require. The use of technology in schools aids in closing that gap.

In my opinion, technology enables teachers to create creative and interactive classrooms. Effective educators recognize the value of incorporating technology into the classroom and come up with new ways to make lessons more meaningful. As a learner, technology has influenced my school life as a tool for finding new information. So, technology is extremely beneficial to us as students.

EDUC561

 What I enjoy? 

EDUC 561 is full of new experiences; every time I attend a meeting, it is different from the last. Furthermore, learning how to use technology in the classroom is extremely beneficial. This course is a wide door that enriches our knowledge about using media and technology in the learning process; it is extremely beneficial in avoiding frustration with students by using apps and tools that are simple and functional at the same time and serve the goal of teaching. 

I really enjoyed the fundamentals of technology. I learn that technological design and problem-solving employ an applications and tools process in order to achieve a desired goal, target, or result. This course let me prefer technology in teaching because I believe that it makes learning more interesting and fun. Things to enjoy in this class:

•  helps connect students to the real world using many applications 
• encourages collaboration

I thought the class was quite good, and I believe I learned a great deal from it. It was actually my favorite course. We have the most wonderful Doctor. She motivates us to do our work and encourages us to do our best, which makes it enjoyable. She compelled us to learn, and I enjoy learning, so it was my favorite course.