Technology is defined as the use of digital means to analyze, design, develop, implement, and evaluate current instructional practices within a classroom setting (What Is Educational Technology - School of Education - Loyola Maryland, 2021). Technology allows teachers to create unique and engaging learning experiences while building a supportive learning network (What Is Educational Technology - School of Education - Loyola Maryland, 2021). Three technologies we will explore are Chat-GPT, Gizmos, and I-Station.
Creates a place where students and teachers can get feedback on student learning activities. This program has been closely connected to the state standard test that is moving to AI grading systems. You need to upload the state rubric and scan in your students' writing for feedback and assessment data.
Gizmos was designed to engage students in science experiments when supplies are not available. The program was created for math and science teachers who wanted to connect real-world situations to state standards (EL Gizmos, n.d.). The program is targeted towards children which makes the programs teacher-friendly (EL Gizmos, n.d.). The program gives real-time feedback, and grades with built-in assessments, tracks data, and allows for cross-curricular exercises to be given within a forty-minute or ninety-minute period (EL Gizmos, n.d.). This program offers a forty-five-day trail period, then offers a school ranking price system based on your financial need (EL Gizmos, n.d.).
Students can work through labs that bring real-world applications into the classroom. These interactive activities help support math and science for all students at all levels. They are highly engaging and can be done individually, in small groups, or as a whole class.
I-station was designed to gamify assessment based content questions while having students earn points for correct answers and reteach missed concepts. I-station works best when students are set up for rotation with independent sessions (IStation | PK-8 Educational Software - Reading, Math & Spanish, n.d.). This program is traditionally more expensive and only offers a thirty day for teachers (IStation | PK-8 Educational Software - Reading, Math & Spanish, n.d.). I-station does curriculum for all subject however only reading is cross curricular (IStation | PK-8 Educational Software - Reading, Math & Spanish, n.d.).
Differentiation and Instruction
Technology readiness comes when students are able to completely function using technology in the classroom without teacher guidance (Andrews, 2021). Students technology activities are based on subject but tied to interesting surveys completed at the beginning of the year. This builds collaboration, co-creation, and comprehension on subject area materials that is purposeful in presentation to the students personal interest. Capstone your student driven technology program with targeted activities tailored to individual learning styles (Andrews, 2021). This brings a full learning cycle into independent work while the educator is able to continuously target growth data. When technology is tailored to students' learning styles, interest and readiness you are going to see growth in overall student achievement, engagement, and retention of material.
Technology enriches learning experiences for all students in your classroom by building individual plans to support differences and learning styles. This enriched learning environment can be enhanced through purposeful uses of technology such as interactive science and math experiences, blended learning through AI support and assessment through a gamified program.
Reference
Andrews, E. (2021, February 9). 8 Reasons students need technology in the classroom. Vault by Infobase. https://vault.com/blogs/admit-one-vaults-mba-law-school-and-college-blog/8-reasons-students-need-technology-in-the-classroom
Hetler, A. (2023, December). What is ChatGPT? Everything You Need to Know. TechTarget. https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/ChatGPT
IStation | PK-8 Educational Software - Reading, Math & Spanish. (n.d.). https://www.istation.com/
What is Educational Technology - School of Education - Loyola Maryland. (2021). Www.loyola.edu. https://www.loyola.edu/school-education/blog/2021/what-is-educational-technology