Technology is very important to our
everyday life, and it should be used in the classroom almost daily. Technology
creates a different way to give instruction and interact with students. All
students are given the opportunity to get their learning style met when
technology is incorporated. Students need to know the correct way to use
technology since there are so many resources out there, some good and bad. According
to Concordia University, students become active participants in the learning
process by using technology in the classroom. Students enjoy playing games,
working online, and learning more about the world about them. In the primary
classroom, I think it is important to have age-appropriate technology tools and
sites for students to use. I would like to take a dig through three that I
currently use in my classroom that supports my students and their parents. The
three that help me differentiate learning the best are Smarty Ants, Handwriting
without tears, and Google Classroom.
Brief Description of Technology Tools
Smarty Ants makes
differentiation easy because it creates a path for students based on the current
skills of the student. Their ant (coach) leads them through animated lessons
and activities while providing encouragement throughout their “play time”. Google
classroom makes it easy to keep in contact with students and parents. Google
classroom allows for collaboration to take place, multiple tools to be used at
one time and in the same place, and students are given the opportunity to learn
in the way that works for them with accessibility settings. Handwriting without
tears focuses on students enhancing their writing skills starting from Pre-K-5th
grade. HWT is great for all learners because of its different components.
Breakdown
of each technology
Smarty
Ants can be provided by the district as resource for students to advance in
literacy skills at their own pace. Smarty Ants is very user friendly for
students and teachers. Students have their ant (coach) guide them through the
app as they progress on. Smarty Ants app also makes it easy to look at the data
for the students to differentiate small group to work on skills the student may
be lacking on. Students being on their own learning path and their own learning
goal helps students get to where they need to be.
Google Classroom has so many benefits and can used for
free by anyone who wants to make it apart of their classroom. Apps like Smarty
Ants can be integrated into the classroom to make accessible for home and
school. Google classroom can be accessed through many devices with all information
needed up front. This makes communication between teacher, student, and parent convenient.
Differentiation of lessons or activities can be achieved easily because assignments
can be uploaded whole group or individualized.
Handwriting without tears program can be bought by the
district to enhance writing skills for students of all elementary years. It is
easy to use for teachers and students. Teachers can use the online portion to
sing songs with students and videos modeling how to correctly write a letter. The
students can use the app to practice their wet, dry, erase activity which is an
extension to the hands-on model and workbook edition.
How
each selected technology differentiates for readiness, interest, and learning
styles
I
think that all of these programs have their positives that will differentiate instruction
by readiness, interest, and learning styles. Engagement and proper use will
keep students motivated to learn in the classroom. According to Stern, differentiated
instruction will allow students to feel successful and empower them to become
lifelong learners.
Smarty Ants starts students off with their own level
as an individualized test is given to see where they are. Students are working
at their pace, so they are always ready to work on the skills needed. I think
this app sparks interest as well because students get to play the games, they
want which will keep them engaged and eager to learn. Multiple learning styles
can be reached because students are able to hear, touch, read, and talk all
throughout the app experience.
Google Classroom makes differentiation easy because of
the ability to incorporate many virtual manipulatives, songs, videos, and
worksheets tailored to the whole class or student’s individual. With the variety
of options students can explore multiple learning styles and find out what is best
for them. I think Google classroom keeps students’ interest with the endless of
possibilities.
Handwriting without tears works at the pace of the
student as well. Students can work on specific lessons as they chose in the app
which will keep them interested. Students love to play the songs that go along
with the letter. Handwriting without tears should follow them from Pre-K to 5th
grade, so readiness for the specific skill goes along with their age and levels.
Instructional
Strategies
All
of these platforms allow for some collaboration to take place with peers. Peer
interaction is an instructional strategy that should be used when using
technology because someone can be put in charge of help questions and support.
According to PowerSchool, with the help of edtech, collaborative learning in
the classroom can be more engaging and productive. Immediate feedback is also
an instructional strategy students will benefit from when using this apps. The teacher
is able to view what the student is doing and go over in small group or send
right back through the apps.
Promotes
learning and creates ownership
I
think Smarty Ants promotes learning at the students own pace and makes students
responsible for their learning because they have to show mastery in a skill
before moving on. Smarty Ants will mix it up so the student does not get
discouraged with doing something they do not understand over and over. When
Smarty Ants is used in the classroom, reading scores go up and the need for
reading intervention goes down. Handwriting without tears promotes learning
growth and makes students responsible for their learning because it shows in
upper grade levels for state writing test. Work should be eligible to be considered
and it starts at Pre-K with letter formation correctly. As students progress,
the songs begin to play in their mind to form the letters.
Conclusion
Technology can be a hassle sometimes
but it allows for different types of learning to take place in the classroom
while the teacher deals with small group instruction in person. Technology has
the power to send immediate feedback despite what the teacher is doing. It is
important to prepare our students for the real-world and correct technology
implementation will help our students. Technology allows for multiple learning
styles to be incorporated at one time and that’s what our students need to be
successful in most subjects.
References:
Achieve3000. (2022). Turn young learners into independent
readers with smarty ants. Achieve3000. https://achieve3000.com/products/smarty-ants/
Concordia University. (2021). 3 reasons why teachers
need to use technology in the classroom. Concordia University. https://www.concordia.edu/blog/3-reasons-why-teachers-need-technology-in-the-classroom.html
Learning without Tears. (2022). Handwriting without
tears. Learning without tears. https://www.lwtears.com/solutions/writing/handwriting-without-tears
Lynch, M. (2018). 10 benefits of google classroom
integration. The Tech Edvocate. https://www.thetechedvocate.org/10-benefits-of-google-classroom-integration/
PowerSchool. (2021). 5 ways to develop an
instructional strategy using technology. PowerSchool. https://www.powerschool.com/blog/5-ways-to-develop-an-instructional-strategy-using-technology/
Stern, J. (2015). Enhancing learning through
differentiated technology. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/enhanced-learning-through-differentiated-technology-julie-stern