Issues+in+Educational+Technology

toc

= = =Using Technology to Support Higher Order Thinking= Higher-order thinking requires students to apply their knowledge to come up with different explanations to a question. For example when a student analyzes and evaluates an question or situation, they are using higher-order thinking. Inspiration is a program that students can use to create a diagram of a story or project. This diagram can help children map out and plan their different thoughts and ideas. This is a great tool that supports and encourages higher-order thinking.

=Using Technology to Affirm Diversity= Incorporating diversity in the classroom can be done by modeling it, celebrating it and respecting it. Cultural differences should be celebrate and modeled so that students can learn about the many different cultures. Students also need to be aware of different cultural ideas and ways of life so that they can learn to respect these differences. Student diversities should be recognized and discussed rather than pushed away or avoided. There are many different websites that provide information about different cultures in creative ways. Some websites have artifacts related and music related. For example, if you are teaching a lesson about the history of African American culture you could use the Smithsonian African American Cultural Tour website. This website provides pictures of cultural artifacts as well as information about them. The main page even has background music that represents the African American culture. There are many websites that address information for different cultures around the world.

=Using Technology to Support ALL Learners= Every child learns differently. Some excel in subjects and other need assistance to better the learning comprehension. Assistive technologies help students with disabilities participate in classroom activities. For example, we recently watched a video about Angie, a little girl who had trouble speaking. Angie was given a computer divice that allowed her to type in what she wanted to say to her teacher and peers. This device then said what she had typed for the class to hear. This device helps Angie feel like she is part of a classroom by allowing her to engage in everyday activities like joking with peers or answering the teachers questions. This device also helps her self-esteem by allowing her to participate in everyday activities in her classroom. Other examples of assistive technologies inclued; pencil grips, screen readers, book lights and text to speech devices. These are all technologies that can help students participate in a classroom.