Issues+in+Educational+Technology+SB

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=Using Technology to Support Higher Order Thinking =

Technology can be used to support higher-order thinking by using thinking skills such as synthesizing, analyzing, and evaluation which take focus and comprehension. The focus is on problem solving and not on drill and repetition activities. High-order thinking is used by different computer software such as excel, word, inspiration, databases, and simulations. Simulations are good for students because it helps them see it visually and gives them a controlled environment; it also gives them a better understanding for what they are learning in a more real life way.

An example of a technology that supports high-order thinking is an online virtual tour of the Taj Mahal that gives students the experience to feel like they are really there. They can experience it inside and out without ever traveling there by just clicking there mouse to where they want to go. There is also an information button within each place giving a more descriptive understanding to what they are viewing at each place. This is helpful to make conclusions and analyze anything they may need and get from it. [|Taj Mahal Virtaul Tour] is a great learning experience and is a real world example without actually having to travel there. They can experience a 360 virtual tour for free making it feel real and the website is safe to navigate, easy to access, and easy to understand.

=Using Technology to Affirm Diversity=

Technology can be used to affirm diversity by being able to find information you normally wouldn't relate to and making it relate to you more. Students come from all different backgrounds and teachers need to recognize this; teachers should respect diversity, celebrate it, and model it with their students. Technology can bring students into contact with things that they are not normally a part of and it allows them access to things they normally couldn't access. Technology can be used to show many lessons in all different ways to reach all, because not all students learn in the same way and teachers need to accommodate their differences.

The [|Google Language Tools] is a great technology program to affirm diversity. This allows you translate search, text, or a website by typing in any phrase and word in your language you want and Google will find results in other languages and translate them for you to read. Students will be able to type in their own language that they know and then learn it in another language that they need to use. Students can pick what language they want to have their own language translated to so it is easy to get their results right away without having to search through many results. This is beneficial to students in classrooms because they can see how to say things in other languages so they can say what they want to say in any language they wish and not get it wrong.

=Using Technology to Support All Learners=

The importance of Assistive Technologies in the classroom to support learners with special needs is so they can access the regular curriculum like all other studnets. They can help build self-esteem for students and make them feel a part of the community and classroom by using these assistive technologies. There are many different assistive technologies that students with special needs can use to help them learn. Low technology assistives are things like pencil grips, paper holders, and manipulatives, medium technologies are things that use electricity like mini book lights, and high technologies use computer technology like screen readers. All of these things can help students with special needs learn much easier and help them feel a part of the classroom. ==  An example of an assistive technology are screen readers. Screen readers are used to verbalize, or "speak," everything on the screen including text, graphics, control buttons, and menus into a computerized voice that is spoken aloud. This technology helps the students who can't read feel engaged in their classroom and feel a part of discussions. This device would support students with special needs by giving them ability to interact in the classroom like everyone else. Although some students can't see or hear, or have some type of special needs, doesn't mean they have to be left out of the regular curriculum, and these technologies help to make sure that doesn't happen. They can get a feel for words and sounds without actually saying it themselves, by pressing the buttons and having it say what they want the students can interact in their class even with their special need. Sometimes, eventually the students will be able to do it on their own and wont have to use devices anymore, this also can give them the confidence they need to do without the assistive technology.