Using innovative technologies in the classroom engages students in communicating with others; they are in an active role rather than the passive role of recipient of information transmitted by a teacher, textbook, or broadcast. In a classroom setting, it is difficult to assess if students have a fair understanding of the concepts covered. Thus, the use of technologies in the classroom can be useful. The following links provide a starting point for a faculty member seeking more insight into research, examples, and tools to use in a face-to-face setting or to enhance a classroom experience.
Do Texting and Facebook Belong in the Classroom? – In this information age, we can now talk to each other in ways we never imagined. Teachers and administrators face a new challenge, however, as they try to find a way to safely incorporate this technology in the classroom.
Nearpod – an all-in-one solution for the synchronized use of mobile devices in the classroom. Make your lectures more engaging through interactive multimedia presentations.
The Evolution of Classroom Technology – Classrooms have come a long way. There’s been an exponential growth in educational technology advancement over the past few years. From overhead projectors to iPads, it’s important to understand not only what’s coming next but also where it all started.
7 Reasons To Leverage Social Networking Tools in the Classroom– Instructional uses of social networking software can provide opportunities for learning, connecting, and engagement.
Scriblink – is a free online note-taking program that functions like a digital whiteboard. It allows users to share notes, drawings, or diagrams at any time. Scriblink’s ability to share freehand sketches makes it a valuable tool for any classroom full of creative students. No signup is necessary. The tools at your disposal include: a free-form pen, a straight-line tool, a square creation tool, a circle creation tool, an eraser, a text tool, an “Upload” button, a color selection bar for your lines and your background, a slider that lets you vary the thickness of your lines, an “Undo” button, and a “Clear” button. Utilize all of these tools to create something worthy of sharing. Then save it, send it, or print it!
Socrative: engage the class using any device – a smart student response system that empowers teachers to engage their classrooms through a series of educational exercises and games via smartphones, laptops, and tablets.
Technology Integration: Ideas That Work– Technology has become integrated in the classroom in so many ways that we often don’t even think about how we are using it. The Education World Tech Team offers lessons and activities to help educators make better use of technology tools for instruction, and to help students improve their technology skills within the context of the regular curriculum. Included: Integration activities that utilize the Web, PowerPoint, Excel, digital photography, SMART Boards, and more.
Using Technology in the Classroom Archive – This archive compiles many of the features we have published on using technology in the classroom. Many of these articles have been updated many times or even rewritten as technology changes. That said, due to the ever-changing nature of technology, there will be articles on this list that are a little past their prime period of usefulness.