Technology Curriculum And Professional Development

The 11 papers in this collection address various aspects of the adoption and implementation of technology in the education of students with disabilities. An introduction by David B. Malouf of the Office of Special Education Programs introduces the collection. The following papers are included: (1) "No Easy Answer: The Instructional Effectiveness of Technology for Students with Disabilities" (John Woodward, Deborah Gallagher, and Herbert Rieth); (2) "It Can't Hurt: Implementing AAC Technology in the Classroom for Students with Severe and Multiple Disabilities" (Bonnie Todis); (3) "Preparing Future Citizens: Technology-Supported, Project-Based Learning in the Social Studies" (Cynthia M. Okolo and Ralph P. Ferretti); (4) "ClassWide Peer Tutoring Program: A Learning Management System" (Charles R. Greenwood, Liang-Shye Hou, Joseph Delquadri, Barbara J. Terry, and Carmen Arreaga-Mayer); (5) "Sustaining a Curriculum Innovation: Cases of Make It Happen!" (Judith M. Zorfass); (6) "Technology Implementation in Special Education: Understanding Teachers' Beliefs, Plans, and Decisions" (Charles A. MacArthur); (7) "Why Are Most Teachers Infrequent and Restrained Users of Computers in Their Classroom?" (Larry Cuban); (8) "Designing Technology Professional Development Programs" (A. Edward Blackhurst); (9) "The Construction of Knowledge in a Collaborative Community: Reflections on Three Projects" (Carol Sue Englert and Yong Zhao); (10) "The Rise and Fall of the Community Transition Team Model" (Andrew S. Halpern and Michael R. Benz); and (11) "How Does Technology Support a Special Education Agenda? Using What We Have Learned To Inform the Future" (Marleen C. Pugach and Cynthia L. Warger). (Individual papers contain references.) (DB)

Learning Technologies and User Interaction explores the complex interplay between educational technologies and those who rely on them to construct knowledge and develop skills. As learning and training continue to move onto digital platforms, tools such as artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, video games, virtual reality, and more hold considerable potential to foster advanced forms of synergy across contexts. Showcasing a variety of contributors who are attuned to today’s networked technologies, environments, and learning dynamics, this book is ideal for students and scholars of educational technology, instructional design, professional development, and research methods.

With digital components becoming the commonplace in the education world, educators must learn how to integrate technology into the classroom and step into the digital age of teaching. This updated, second edition resource provides teachers with classroom-tested ideas and resources to enhance instruction and help make the integration of technology a seamless process. Featuring standards-based lessons and topics such as distance learning and virtual school, webquests, blogs and social networking, interactive games, activities, and simulations, this resource will help you have a technologically advanced classroom in no time!

Teachers, like other professionals, need to stay informed about new knowledge and technologies. Yet many express dissatisfaction with the professional development opportunities made available to them in schools and insist that the most effective development programs they have experienced have been self-initiated. Enhancing Professional Development for Teachers explores how the provision of professional development through online media has had a significant influence on the professional lives of an increasing number of teachers. Growing numbers of educators contend that online teacher professional development (OTPD) has the potential to enhance and even transform teachers' effectiveness in their classrooms and over the course of their careers. They also acknowledge that it raises many challenging questions regarding costs, equity, access to technology, quality of materials, and other issues. Enhancing Professional Development for Teachers suggests that teachers be active participants in planning and implementation of any new technologies that enhance professional development. The book recommends that federal and state policy makers take on the responsibility of promoting equal access to technology while the federal government and foundations play an important role by supporting the development, evaluation, and revision of OTPD.

Step into the digital age of learning by teaching and applying technology effectively in your classroom. This up-to-date, research-based book provides teachers with classroom-tested ideas and resources to enhance instruction and help make the integration of technology a seamless process. Topics include how to differentiate with technology in a lesson, technology standards, software programs, information literacy, project-based learning and assessment, classroom management, computer troubleshooting, and more. This resource supports core concepts of STEM instruction and supports the interdisciplinary themes from the Partnership for 21st Century Skills. 224pp.

Many school districts are discovering that providing computer technology and using technology to improve student learning are two very different things. In this book, national experts use concrete examples to describe specific knowledge, beliefs, and strategies that will enable teachers and district leaders to support meaningful learning using technology. Chapters examine the intersection between course content, types of technology, and the supports and professional development required to effectively implement technology in the K–12 classroom. This authoritative volume: explores how technology can contribute to meaningful learning, achieving deep understanding of complex ideas that are relevant to students' lives; chronicles the effectiveness of specific technology-based curricula in the sciences and social studies, with a focus on history; and suggests models and approaches for teacher professional development, including a - Meaningful Learning Toolbox- where teachers can co-author web-based curriculum units.

Internationally, there is a growing body of research about learners’ responses to, and uses of, emerging technologies. However, the adoption of these technologies in teachers’ professional development is still largely under-researched. Much of the existing literature still positions teachers as playing ‘catch-up’ in terms of using technology for teaching and learning in an ever expanding and changing world, and ignores the roles that these emerging technologies can play in teacher, and teacher educator, development and learning. This book aims to address the lack of research in the area, and it contributes to the new knowledge area of how emerging technologies can effectively address professional learning, drawing on case studies and perspectives from across the world. Contributors use a wide variety of approaches to analyse the potential for emerging (and established) technologies, including digital, Web2.0, social media, and IT tools, to develop ‘effective’ or ‘deep’ professional learning for pre- and in-service teachers and teacher educators. This book was originally published as a special issue of Professional Development in Education.