Technology Standard V

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Technology Standard V

Technology Standard V: All teachers know how to plan, organize, deliver, and evaluate instruction for all students that incorporates the effective use of current technology for teaching and integrating the Technology Applications TEKS into the curriculum.

My mentor teacher and I employ technology in our classroom in a variety of ways.  We show science and math videos as appropriate to enhance lessons.  We have students utilize iPads to augment Physical Properties Labs. We challenge our students to Scientific Method Scavenger Hunts as well as an Element Amazing Races, where each team of three is given one iPad to use to further their information gathering and/or answer questions of which they were unsure.  We conduct Webquest lessons in which our students must locate specific websites and then successfully navigate them to obtain answers to the questions posed. 

During Science, we use Edusmart consistently for note taking, glossary information, and lab simulations, especially if we are unable or don’t have time for a live lab on a particular topic.  The students, my mentor and I really enjoy Edusmart.  It’s fun and highly informative, and the lab simulations take a variety of paths depending upon which answers our students click.  Our students also use calculators and love anything with a QR code.  We do "What/Who Am I" type games with QR codes for the answers.  All these technology activities offer our students not only increased content knowledge, but practice and growth in the use of a variety of technological applications.

Before we ever start a technology infused lesson, we discuss with our students whether the assignment will be a collaborative or self-directed one.  We communicate how the technology will be shared, taken care of, and utilized during the lesson.  We discuss project expectations, and we always make sure our students authenticate under their own names for safety reasons.  When students come up with a question or idea that extends a lesson, we encourage them to do additional research, using an iPad or computer, and then report back to the class their findings.

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