Frederick+Clarke

How can technology be used most effectively to support and assess student learning?

One of the technologies that I see becoming more familiar to the classroom environment is the addition of assistive technologies. Using assistive technologies allows the teacher to adjust the curriculum not only to meet the academic challenges of the content but the physical struggle that some of our students encounter. One example of an assistive technology could be e-books and e-readers. In this manner students are able to enlarge print, have it repeated and reread to them accessing the auditory and visual learner, as well as accommodating those students who may have tactile issues. As a 21st century technology school it is great that we make use of (BYOT) bring your own technology. As you can imagine students are bringing and using iPads, notebooks, and laptops to access the various activities in their classes. While it is important to utilize textbooks it is just as significant to make learning relevant to students’ interest and needs.

Additionally, with classes equipped with the latest Promethean boards, interactive teaching and learning for students and teachers alike should make for higher learning if utilized effectively. Using graphic organizers for student notes or undertakings where students respond to questions using Activ responders or voting devices are activities that increase students’ participation in their learning process. The times of just reading and working from the textbook and listening to verbal instructions are long past gone. Moreover, I have seen that integrating technology in schools has increased students’ motivation and engagement in the classroom.

The more options we present for students to respond to class and homework from home is a way to help them become successful.