Tech+Integration

Video: Tech-Fueled Differentiated Instruction Engages Elementary School Students

This was a great video because it shows how Forest Lake Elementary school in Columbia, South Carolina combines differentiated instruction with technology to expand the knowledge of its students where traditional methods may fall short. At the beginning of the day they use technology to create a morning show that provides announcements for the day. They are able to use computers to assess student knowledge and place them in groups that correspond to their level. These assessments also help teachers create instructional methods that will work best for each student. If students have resources such as computers, smartboards, etc they can be self-directed which allows teachers more time to spend helping students one on one. Students enjoy learning at their own pace and have the ability to learn whichever way works best for them. Technology opens up a whole new world for students to explore.

I think it is a shame that all schools are not supplied with a certain amount of technology. I believe it is an invaluable resource for both students and teachers. As our world becomes more interconnected and each country becomes more dependent on others it is imperative that our students have the resources they need to keep up with the rest of the world and interact in a way that brings us closer together. I only hope I am at a school where technology is important and if it does not have the resources I will do what I can to get them there. I would love to utilize the computers to contact other classrooms in both the US and other countries. This would be a great lesson for a culture day in social studies or learning about regions in geography. Putting together projects much like a scavenger hunt where students have to locate different items on the web to get them familiar with the many resources available to them. I look forward to giving students every opportunity to use whatever technology they have available to succeed and expand their learning capabilities.

Reflection: The Tech Integration lesson enabled me to understand how the use of technology in the classroom can benefit and engage students of each grade level. Since we live in an interdependent global world it is important that we assist students in understanding the importance of technology. As educators we should utilize technology throughout the day so to increase the enthusiasm of our students. Along with allowing students to utilize different types of devices and programs we should also make sure they understand all the ways technology can assist them in their learning.