Technology for Student Learning

How does technology drive student learning?  What is the role of technology and assessment?  What tools are out there for teachers to use?  There are many questions when it comes to using technology and assessment to direct student learning.  Here are some facts to get people thinking about technology as the way of the future:

• There are already over 20 000 educational apps on the Apple App store 
• The Technology and Learning Fund will give Ontario schools 150 million dollars over 3 years
• Educational Apps are available in a variety of languages
• Free apps can be downloaded and used on multiple devices 
• Ontario schools are mandated to use technology - it is no longer an option!

So how will technology help?  Take a look at my previous post about assessing with technology to learn more about some of the ways technology can be beneficial for teachers and students.

In the following slide presentation, take a look at some commonly used programs and how they can be used for assessment.  Keep in mind, there are many other options out there and it is important to choose a tool that fulfills your needs and purpose.

Still looking for more ideas?  Try these:

• Students use their cell phones to communicate their understanding
• Students can Tweet their learning (requires them to be succinct) 
• Use social media to give students a voice and gauge their understanding
• Students can collaboratively create slide presentations

Share your thoughts on other tools and strategies that you have used to assess and drive student learning!  I'd love to hear from you :)

Assessing with Technology

Assessment.  We just can't avoid it.  Here are some quick thoughts to think about in regards to using technology to aid with assessment.

Pros:

• Fast and efficient
• Computers can provide instant feedback for multiple choice, fill in the blank, true/false questions and more with little to no error
• Can save time for the teacher
• Technology can be used to create portfolios, take pictures of student work, keep exemplars for future use and more
• Allows for feedback
• Both teachers and students can easily provide timely feedback using tech tools (voice recordings, comments, video etc)
• Results can be shared with parents
• Teachers can easily use technology to share student work with parents via email or other tools
• Open communication is essential for parents to stay in the loop of their child's learning

Cons:

• Cost - schools have to have technology available (iPads, voice recorders...)
• Teacher needs to be familiar with the technology/resources
• This can be frustrating for teachers who do not have the training needed to use technology effectively
• Students may disregard the need for improvement if they see the project as finished once it has a final grade attached and forget about it and move on

Questions to consider before assessing with technology:

1. What is it that is being assessed?
2. Does technology allow this to be effectively assessed?
3. What benefit does using technology to assess provide in this case?

Check out this really neat video about a high school teacher using cell phones to get a quick glimpse of her students' understanding.  It's important to remember that assessment should be ongoing and used to drive student learning and not just left as a summative task at the end!

Growing Success and Technology

The Growing Success document (2010) has radically changed how teachers in Ontario conduct and perform assessment in both the elementary and secondary classrooms.  But what does it say about assessment and technology?  You may be surprised to know that technology is actually mentioned twenty times in the document itself.  Let's take a look at the following sections!


Learning Skills = Pages 9-14

The first thing that stood out to me is that technology is specifically mentioned in the Organisation section of the learning skills.  It clearly states that the student is to, "identify, gather, evaluate, and use information, technology, and resources to complete tasks."  Consequently, incorporating and using technology is no longer a 'nice possibility', but mandatory.  I wonder how many teachers know this?

Further along, the The Definition and Selection of Competencies (DeSeCo) Project speaks to key competencies that students need to be working to develop.  Globalisation and modernisation are creating an increasingly diverse and interconnected world. I appreciate the quote indicating that in order to "make sense of and function well in this world, individuals need, for example, to master changing technologies and to make sense of large amounts of available."  This is coupled by the importance of showing students how to use technology interactively in order to be 21st century-savvy.

The Achievement Charts = Pages 20-25

In the primary (grades 1-8) Achievement Chart, technology is mentioned in the Application section of the rubric.  Specifically, students need to be able to apply their knowledge and skills in familiar contexts including the use of technology.  Again, this reiterates that technology is no longer optional in the Ontario classroom.

In the Science & Technology chart, technology is again mentioned in the Application section but students need to be able to make connections between science, technology, society, and the environment.  They also need need to be able to propose courses of practical action to deal with problems relating to science, technology, society, and the environment.

Still wanting to hear more?  Check out page 80 to learn more about E-Learning policy, or the English Language Learner section beginning on page 75.  Happy exploring!

Assistive Technology Popplet

The AT Triangle

When it comes to assistive technology (AT), there is an evident triangle in what is available for students.  However, it is important to remember that regardless of the student, each and everyone is entitled to a safe, caring, respectful, and positive classroom environment.  As Ontario Certified Teachers, we have the responsibility to provide students with the best that we can offer.

Take a look at the image below to see some highlights of the DSBN's Assistive Technology resources as they pertain to students.  For more information, please visit:  http://www.dsbn.edu.on.ca/supportservices/SE/technology.html

LRT Interview

An Interview with a DSBN LRT (learning resource teacher)

How can students receive Assistive Technology (AT) support?

- if a teacher finds that a student has the need they can provide computer options or taped responses at their discretion depending on the need and what is available
- if a student requires it as an essential tool, they must be on an IEP which indicates this as it will become part of their SEA claim application
- we fill out a SEA claim for what they would need (there is a variety of tools) and then if approved the funding goes towards that tool but it can only be used by the student it is assigned to or if another student is named on the app

Can anyone get Asstive Technology professional development? 

- if the board offers it, yes. I know our board had a few PD sessions this past year for a few different technologies or softwares
- for SEA claims, a resource from the board comes to train the staff involved and the student - I would imagine if another teacher wanted to sit in they could

What is the most sought after AT tool? 

- I'm guessing a personal computer/laptop for word processing, Word Q/Speak Q or Kurzweil. 

What tools do you need more of?

- Not sure on this but I've put below what I think might be helpful:

• software: Word Q/Speak Q (this would be great for us particularly as the new version can interpret French!!!)
• Kurzweil on all computers
• headphones
• personal laptops

What tools are being replaced with online (free) application):

- I would imagine some of the software is being replaced by increased use of Google Read and Write - I think they are working on coming out with a French version as well

Shifting gears ...

Assistive Technology (AT) is a vital component to helping students with exceptionalities achieve success.  This past year, I had a student in my class who used a laptop with a variety of tools to assist her in completing daily assignments, produce voice recordings, and conduct research for a final project.  Without the laptop, these would have been challenging tasks for both her and I to work through.  However, she gained a lot of confidence from having the computer, and her classmates were highly respectful of her laptop use.  On the other hand, it does make me wonder what may happen if a student does not receive the needed AT until a later grade.  Making fun?  Exclusion?  Bullying?  I am glad that this student will have access to her laptop throughout the years and her peers will find it completely normal that it sits on her desk for daily use.

Keeping Students Safe Online

As teachers who actively use technology to support student learning, it is important to know what legal and ethical issues are tied to our 21st century practice.  In a previous post, I discussed the 2 policies currently in place in the DSBN.  They are centred around digital technology use in schools both by teachers and students.  But what role do we as educators have in actually teaching safe and proper use?  I personally believe that if we use it, we ought to teach it.  And even if we don't use it in the classroom (why you wouldn't be would be using it is a whole other topic!), the majority of our students are plugged in and connected elsewhere.  Therefore, I have come up with a couple of my own ideas about what students should understand with regards to internet use:

Primary/Junior or "Internet to Play"

• Do NOT share personal information online (name, phone number, address etc.)
• Talk to your parents/teacher about your online activity - it is important to be open and honest in order to stay safe
• Follow school/home rules when using technology - use only sites/programs/apps that you have permission to use
• Edutopia has a lesson plan for teaching internet safety to younger children

Intermediate/Senior (Same rules as above PLUS) or "Internet to Interact"

• Commit to ethical online use
• Do not engage in cyberbullying acts (spreading gossip, posting inappropriate or private information about others etc)
• Only post information that you are comfortable having the whole world know about yourself - don't forget to think long-term (future employers etc)
• How to protect your information and computer (security tools, viruses, spyware, spam)
• Recognize that they are in charge of their digital footprint and their online presence

Here are some resources for teaching online safety:
NetSmartzKids - games/videos for primary aged children
WoogiWorld - uses interactive missions to teach students about online safety
ATT - help Captain Broadband keep the community safe

Parents!
Want to know what your child is using?  Check out this great list of games, apps, and social networking sites for a quick synopsis, FAQs, and more to stay informed with online trends.


Still looking for more information about online safety?  Check out ESchoolNews where you will find an excellent article about 10 Ways Schools are Teaching Internet Safety. 

So what do you think?  How is the world that our little "digital citizens" live in going to influence them and what safety measures do they need to be aware of?  And who has to teach them???