Enhancing Communication and Instruction via the Internet
Questions to ask ourselves:
1. What are our instructional goals?2. How should we view the use of technology?- What is real integration?
- Can technology help us to meet these instructional goals?
General Educational Goals:
- Improve student outcomes
- Motivate students
- Inspire creativity
- Enhance communication with parents
- Allow for divergent learning styles
- Differentiate instruction
- Provide intervention services for students at risk
- Enhance teacher efficiency
What is the role of technology in our classrooms?
- Technology is a tool in the tool box, not the motor that drives education.
- Technology works best when it is truly integrated.
- Integration means you do not really have to think about “doing technology.” It is just something you do!
- Technology should not be used just to say you use technology, it must have purpose.
How can technology help improve student outcomes?
- Teachers can develop lessons that reach students with different learning styles. Try finding songs, pictures and art work. You can even have students create presentations, web sites and images.
- It can assist us in differentiating instruction. Developing work at varying levels is easier if handouts and exams are word processed. Group and individual lessons using web sites can be specifically geared to students’ needs.
- Technology, specifically word processing, speech recognition, lap tops and PDAs can provide assistive technology for students with disabilities.
- The Internet clearly has revolutionized student research. In some ways this has been for the better and in some ways worse.