Technology Tools For Teachers

In this Web 2.0 world, your students are communicating, customizing, and creating like never before. It's no surprise, therefore, that standards for the twenty-first century classroom recognize the value of teaching with digital tools. Knowing how to effectively teach with them is another matter altogether. In Digital Tools for Teaching, educator and self-proclaimed techno-geek Steve Johnson shows you how to transform 30 cutting-edge e-tools into powerful vehicles for teaching--and learning. You will find: An array of low-to-no-cost digital tools ranging in complexity and all focused on educational merit; Step-by-step instructions that take the mystery out of using each e-tool; Lesson connections and lists of classroom-proven ideas for applying each e-tool across the curriculum; Backdoor links to the special services and discounts available to teachers for many of the digital tools profiled in this book; Standards-based assessment rubrics and strategies (including how to implement digital portfolios) to help you meet twenty-first century classroom instructional goals; and Links to Steve Johnson's website and blog for news and updates on incorporating technology-based activities into your lessons. Complete and ready-to-use, Digital Tools for Teaching shows you how to connect your teaching to the e-tools that are relevant to your students' lives. Whether you're already an advanced e-tool user or a newbie, Digital Tools for Teaching will increase your confidence using digital tools, broaden your perspective, and give you new teaching strategies that you can use tomorrow.

The untold story of the root cause of America's education crisis--and the seemingly endless cycle of multigenerational poverty. It was only after years within the education reform movement that Natalie Wexler stumbled across a hidden explanation for our country's frustrating lack of progress when it comes to providing every child with a quality education. The problem wasn't one of the usual scapegoats: lazy teachers, shoddy facilities, lack of accountability. It was something no one was talking about: the elementary school curriculum's intense focus on decontextualized reading comprehension "skills" at the expense of actual knowledge. In the tradition of Dale Russakoff's The Prize and Dana Goldstein's The Teacher Wars, Wexler brings together history, research, and compelling characters to pull back the curtain on this fundamental flaw in our education system--one that fellow reformers, journalists, and policymakers have long overlooked, and of which the general public, including many parents, remains unaware. But The Knowledge Gap isn't just a story of what schools have gotten so wrong--it also follows innovative educators who are in the process of shedding their deeply ingrained habits, and describes the rewards that have come along: students who are not only excited to learn but are also acquiring the knowledge and vocabulary that will enable them to succeed. If we truly want to fix our education system and unlock the potential of our neediest children, we have no choice but to pay attention.

This book provides a baseline for effective technology practice, offering a comprehensive overview of theory, research and practice. In particular the book: Brings together research findings to provide an evidence based approach to using technology in the classroom Provides an understanding of how technologies can and should inform teaching and learning Highlights effective practice As well as capturing the extensive developments in this field over the last three decades the book identifies ‘what works’ with technology and education. There is detailed consideration of how technology can enhance learning and inform pedagogic approaches together with examples. This not only informs but, most importantly, allows teachers to develop their practice in order to incorporate and exploit the affordances of educational technologies, providing a sound theoretical underpinning to classroom practice with technologies. Significantly the book urges educators to embrace new ways of working using technologies to support knowledge sharing and building. It also looks ahead and reports teachers’ views of schools of the future, where learners and teachers may work flexibly through a curriculum that is personalised and focused on 21st century needs. Teaching with Technologies is essential reading for busy teachers and students who wish to gain an informed overview of the key issues pertaining to technology and education. “This is a very timely book reminding us of the complex history of technology integration into teaching and learning in this country, as well as giving an overview of current practice, and providing a prescient look to the future.” Dr Chris Higgins, formerly Principal Lecturer, Oxford Brookes University, UK “The manner in which UK teachers and students have, and are currently, engaging with digital technologies across the curriculum and at all levels of schooling is clearly presented and, together with links to research and classroom practice, is a major strength of the book.” Anthony Jones, ICT in Education and Research, The University of Melbourne, Australia

Instructors are under pressure to integrate technology into their traditional or online instruction, but often they aren't sure what to do or why they should do it. The Technology Toolbelt for Teaching offers instructors a down-to-earth guide to common technologies, explains the pedagogical purposes they serve, and shows how they can be used effectively in online or face-to-face classrooms. Designed to be easy to use, the book includes a decision-making matrix for each technology tool: a series of questions that teachers can use to decide whether these tools support their teaching goals. This comprehensive resource contains an array of useful tools that address problems of organization such as a time management calendar, aids for scheduling meetings, and mind-mapping or graphic organizers. The authors also include a variety of online tools for communication and collaboration, and tools to present content, help establish presence, and assess learning. Praise for The Technology Toolbelt for Teaching "Feeling overwhelmed and even afraid of integrating technology into your course? Fear no more! Susan Manning and Kevin Johnson have provided the ultimate guide that explains not only the various technology tools that can support faculty work and enhance coursework but also provides sound advice to help faculty choose the right tool for the job. This is a must-read for all faculty regardless of their experience with technology."—Rena M. Palloff and Keith Pratt, managing partners, Crossroads Consulting Group, and authors, Building Online Learning Communities and Collaborating Online "The Technology Toolbelt for Teaching delivers exactly what it promises: a concrete overview of a wide variety of tools, complete with examples specific to practitioners in both K–12 and higher education. Authors Susan Manning and Kevin Johnson provide practical applications rather than philosophy, and solutions rather than platitudes. This is a must for any teacher working with—or wanting to start working with—technology."—Jane Bozarth, author, Social Media for Trainers; eLearning coordinator, State of North Carolina "Creating compelling learning experiences for students is fraught with decision points. Add one or more technology options to the equation, and the number of directions to take learners seems to grow limitlessly, and can either paralyze the instructional design process or cause us to take on too much. Enter The Technology Toolbelt for Teaching. Manning and Johnson's handy guide – and the decision-making matrix that frames each of the tools it demystifies – is an essential resource for choosing paths wisely."—Jonathan Finkelstein, author, Learning in Real Time; founder and executive producer, LearningTimes Includes 50+ fresh and useful technology tools for teaching A decision matrix for choosing and using the right tools Examples for using each tool in higher education and K–12

This is the long-awaited update on the bestselling book that offers a practical, accessible reference manual for faculty in any discipline. This new edition contains up-to-date information on technology as well as expanding on the ideas and strategies presented in the first edition. It includes more than sixty-one chapters designed to improve the teaching of beginning, mid-career, or senior faculty members. The topics cover both traditional tasks of teaching as well as broader concerns, such as diversity and inclusion in the classroom and technology in educational settings.

The development of technologies, education, and economy play an important role in modern society. Digital literacy is important for personal development and for the economic growth of society. Technological learning provides students with specific knowledge and capabilities for using new technologies in their everyday lives and in their careers. Examining the Roles of Teachers and Students in Mastering New Technologies is a critical scholarly resource that examines computer literacy knowledge levels in students and the perception of computer use in the classroom from various teacher perspectives. Featuring a wide range of topics such as higher education, special education, and blended learning, this book is ideal for teachers, instructional designers, curriculum developers, academicians, policymakers, administrators, researchers, and students.

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.

The authors of Igniting Your Teaching with Educational Technology are here to reduce the stress of learning how to use technology in the first few years of teaching. As fellow educators, we understand the challenges you may experience and have written this textbook to support you in your learning. Ultimately, we want you to be to navigate the waters of educational technology without it becoming an additional burden on top of everything else on your plate as a preservice or first-year teacher. We have over one-hundred years of combined, total teaching experience, in various capacities, grade levels, and content areas. Igniting Your Teaching with Educational Technology addresses six core themes that are of great significance when using technology in one's teaching. * Chapter 1: Classroom Management explores classroom management tools for classrooms of all ages of students. * Chapter 2: Learning Management Systems discusses learning management systems that are likely to be central in your student teaching experience and as a first-year teacher. * Chapter 3: Assessing Learning addresses measuring student learning using technology, using both formative and summative approaches. * Chapter 4: Collaboration Tools outlines tools you can utilize with your students as well as your colleagues and professors to contribute to the creation of a resource together. * Chapter 5: Selection of Educational Technology describes how preservice teachers can select technological tools and applications for various experiences and situations they may encounter as teachers. * Chapter 6: Professional Development via Social Media provides information regarding how to use social media to network with other teachers as well as to grow professionally as an educator.