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A.2.a
It may be confusing where to start when choosing what educational technology that will best facilitate student learning. On this page I'll take a look at three resources for us educators can use to help find the best technology.
(EdSurge, 2022)
EdSurge
EdSurge
EdSurge ( index.edsurge.com )is a well organized resource with a newly updated sleek product index. Currently, the new product index is in its beta stage, consequently all the features are not fully functional. However, the new product index will have a simple design that allows educators to research products evaluated by EdSurge and filter out criteria that do not meet the learning needs of students. The new interface will allow educators to filter the product index by audience, product category, discipline, education level, and pricing model.
EdSurge can be used to compare products having similar criteria to help you select the technology that best fits your pedagogical setting.
(Common Sense, 2022)
Common Sense Education
Common Sense Education
Common Sense Education (www.commonsense.org/education/ ) is another resource to help you research technology to assist student learning. One of the best features of Common Sense Education is that it gives us educators bit size bits of information in their reviews to help us digest the complexity of technology.
Common Sense Education reviews a variety of technology including apps, games, and websites that can be filtered by grade, subject, price, website, platform, purpose and skills. One feature that gives us small bits of the tech information is the "Take a look inside" section. This gives a short and sweet summary of the tech highlighting the pros, cons, and the bottom line of the tech.
Each of the expert staff reviews are listed in a section called "Learning Rating" which simplifies the strengths of the tech by organizing them into three categories engagement, pedagogy, and support. In addition to these expert reviews they also allow the community to post their reviews on the tech as well.
(LearnPlatform, 2022)
LearnPlatform
LearnPlatform
One of the strengths of LearnPlatform is that school districts and administration can see data regarding student interaction and the effectiveness with the technology. This ensures that the dollars allocated to technology are towards ones that work.
LearnPlatform's product library is assessable once the user sets up pan account. Their product library can be navigated to filter the technology tool by type, education level, subject, reviews & certifications, category, and platform. With these filters us educators can research educational technology that will best facilitate our students learning.
A.2.b
Now let's look at two different methods we can use for integrating educational technology to facilitate student learning. The goal of the methods I've chosen is to give teachers and students with the most support in running a successful learning environment.
The first method I'll look at is the flipped classroom. In a flipped classroom the traditional lecturing is done at home via technology such as videos and apps that present the subject matter to students who then progress through it at their own pace. Once the students arrive in class after reviewing the subject matter at their own pace at home they engage in traditional "homework tasks" in class. This provides students the support of having their teacher in the classroom to clarify any confusing that still exists regarding the task. Furthermore, research has shown that learning best occurs in active work opposed to passive listening. Many teachers have said they are able to provide students with more individualized attention in flipped classroom settings. In addition to the accessibility of the teacher during tasks in class the students have access to each other which is compliments tasks that involve group work. Flipped classrooms give students more control over their learning.
Closely related to the flipped classroom method is the blended classroom. In the blended classroom the teacher transition from the "sage-on-the-stage-" roll into a "guide-on-the-side" roll. Technology is used in class alongside in person instruction allowing students in blended learning classrooms move at their own pace once they have demonstrated mastery in the subject materials. This is very supportive for the general student population in any main classroom as students rarely reach mastery of the material at the same time. As is in the case in flipped classrooms, students in blended learning classrooms have more control of their learning experience, which promotes student autonomy.
A blended learning classrooms and flipped classrooms must be evaluated for their equitable use. The accessibility of student technology is imperative for the sucess of both methods. All students must have access to technology at home to view lesson material in order for blended learning and flipped classrooms to succeed.
EdSurge, 2022. EdSurge Logo. [image] Available at: <https://twitter.com/EdSurge/photo> [Accessed 19 April 2022].
Common Sense, 2022. Common Sense Logo. [image] Available at: <https://twitter.com/CommonSense/photo> [Accessed 19 April 2022].
LearnPlatform, 2022. LearnPlatform's Logo. [image] Available at: <https://twitter.com/LearnPlatformUS/photo> [Accessed 19 April 2022].
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