Teachers: Breaking Up with the Fear of Technology

3 Things to Do

1. Create an Interactive Class Google Site

If you are able to create a Google site for your classroom, it can be a great to tool to get your students using technology in the classroom. During class time, my students are able to access my Google site where they can get the power points for the lesson, refer to resources, get make up work, and more. The idea of having an interactive Google site is to minimize the amount of papers that you have to file and hand out as well as having a place where students can go for anything related to the course. Google sites should be fun, colorful, inviting, and easy to use for students who are not tech-savvy.

2. Use WebQuests

WebQuests are a great project resource for students. According to Bernie Dodge (1997) from San Diego State University, a WebQuest is an "inquiry-oriented activity in which some or all of the information that learners interact with comes from resources on the Internet" (p. 1). WebQuests are also really great as alternate assignments for students who are unable to focus in the traditional classroom and need accommodations. WebQuests are especially great when exit tickets are available for students to complete because it keeps track of what students learned during the WebQuest.

3. Create Podcasts

For our audible learners, podcasts are a great resource. Podcasts can make create accommodations for students who are not in class or are under an IEP or 504 Plan. Podcasts can be created during class while the teacher is lecturing or going over an activity and posted after class on the Google classroom or Google site. A great project experience for students who be to create their own Podcasts for their classmates on an assigned or chosen topic in a unit.

3 Things to Avoid

1. Assignments with vague instructions

One thing that I have made a mistake doing when trying to integrate technology is finding a great activity, but never completing it on my own first and giving it to the students. Always complete the assignment before you have your students complete it because then it will be easier to explain to them and you will be able to find out if the directions are sufficient. By completing it for yourself, you can also edit the activity to suit the needs of your own students.

2. Creating user accounts

Technology sites such as Explore Learning and textbook activities usually requires students to have a user account to log in. Unless user accounts have already been created for each student to log in, I would stay away from user account activities. They take up plenty of time because many students may or may not have emails or just registering alone can take up unnecessary time. Your concern might be that your students may not be able to get an online grade. My advice is to have students screenshot results and email it to you or submit it on Google Classrooms.

3. Student Exclusions

In the digital age that we live in right now, we know that a majority of our secondary school students are equipped with cell phones. However, when doing activities such as Kahoot or Nearpod. Be aware that students may not have a phone to use. We want all students to feel included, so when doing activities that require cell phones, make sure to know your students and their needs.

Resource

Dodge, B. (1997). Some thoughts about WebQuests. Retrieved August 15, 2003, from the WebQuest Homepage, San Diego State University: http://webquest.sdsu.edu/about_webquests.html