Teach Children Well: Tech Choice?

The question of tech or no tech is outdated. For systems that still lack technology, it's a crime. Everyone knows that tech is here to stay, and the question that remains is how, when, and for what reason?

I will soon be part of a conversation that discusses where the tech needs are in our school and system? I'm curious as to how educators will react to this question?

Before considering where we are heading, I believe it's important for educators to know what's possible--the choices that exist? With that in mind, I created a tech integration list. I'm sure that I'm missing many pieces, and I welcome your additions and response.

Once we work together to finalize a list of what's available, and what we deem worthy for student learning today, then it will be time for educators to make educated choices about their tech learning, direction, and integration.

What would you choose?

Update: I noticed that people were reading this post, so I decided to update it today 2/3/2015

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Tech Integration List

There are many ways to integrate technology into the teaching/learning program to engage, empower, and teach children well. As you think about the tech professional development, consider the many venues for tech integration below.

Engaging, Effective Learning Design

Technology serves to differentiate, personalize, and develop learning design in effective, engaging ways. By embedding responsive tools into student learning efforts, you will be able to serve all students with greater effect.

Learning Design

embed tech standards into teaching/learning units.
creation, presentation, information, and explanation tools.
meet new standards in all disciplines.
blog and share ideas in writing
create films, infographics, illustrations, digital stories, presentations. . .
identify and utilize apps.
use skill and assessment tools.
tell stories with maps

Research and Field Study

Google Hangouts or Skype share and research.
content websites to guide student learning and independence.
virtual field trips.
tech tools for field study recording and research. (Put mini iPads on a string with a plastic cover and let students take them into the field)

Independent Learning

create menus of student learning options.
"grow at your own rate" practice sites for student skill development.
student/teacher engagement in online courses, conferences, and events.
gaming for student engagement and learning.

Communication and Classroom Routines

Research today points to transparent, 24-7, two-way communication streams to support student learning. Utilizing tech tools will help you to create communication streams and patterns that support the learning community’s collaboration and success.

Create websites and/or blogs for learning community share and information.

Online home study lists with links.

Email, Hangouts, Skype, Google+, Twitter.

Professional Evaluation, Evidence, and Learning

Technology can serve to facilitate new evaluation systems in efficient, targeted ways. Learning how to collect, revise, and input goals, evidence, and reflections will optimize your efforts in this regard.

Accessing online assessment tools such as TeachPoint.
Upload documents, screen shot, blog creation.
How to create, save, and present teaching evidence.
Blogging, professional ePortfolios, websites, and conference presentations.

Technology Tools and Programs

It’s impossible to learn all the tech tools out there with strength. Focusing on one student-friendly, versatile tool or program with depth and breadth can serve to strengthen the teaching/learning program with focus and engagement.

Digital cameras, iPhones, iPads and video use.
Use of Scanner and 2D/3D Printers.
Google Apps Introduction, use.
Math: That Quiz, Xtra Math, FastMath, Khan Academy, SumDog, Other Math game sites.
ELA: Fluency apps, Lexia, Google Doc/Presentation/Sites, Digital books. . .
Creation/Presentation Tools: KidPix, Google Apps, iMovie, GarageBand, Photobooth, SumoPaint, Google Apps, WeVideo

Invention, Exploration & STEAM (science,tech,engineering,art & math)

Companies like Google, FaceBook, IDEO and others are leading the technology revolution. Providing opportunities for students to learn like scientists, entrepreneurs, and inventors serves to both engage and develop student creativity, exploration, and investigation at an early age which, in turn, will support the future generation of inventors we need to solve the world’s problems and create a better world.

STEAM Tools: Sketch-up, Minecraft, Tynker, SCRATCH, Lego Mindstorms
New Science Standards.
Coding, Exploration, and Investigation Time: SCRATCH, SCRATCH Jr. CodeCampKidz, Khan Academy, Code.Org

Assistive Technology

Technology can bridge the gap between knowing and unknowing in ways that were not accessible in the past. Finding the right tools can serve student learning in dynamic ways.

Data and Assessment Analysis

Data is here to stay in all disciplines. The ability to understand, manipulate, collect, and analyze data is essential. This ability informs the work we do to teach children well. Tech tools are at the foundation of this data work, hence understanding and using these tools well is essential.