Student+Engagement

Student Engagement Instructional Technology is more than just the teacher using technology in his or her classroom. It is teachers using technology in their lessons. Teachers who use it incorporate it in their lessons so that students must learn from it and use it themselves. Instructional Technology is allowing kids to understand technology through using it and educating them to use it effectively. It is teaching our students to use technology to become life-long learners and to be successful using technology.

As I looked back on my instruction, the process of finding student engagement in technology was quite easy. Regretfully, there were not many ways that I got students engaged through using technology. I had to think about how I get students’ hands on computers. Other than a website that comes with our textbook that is simple drill and practice, I was left with only one other time I require students to use technology in my class. Of course, my weather presentation was one of my best examples. The only other example that I could think of was the one that I had starting making for this class, my web quest.

The two options that I chose are best because they were the only options I had. Realistically, there were no other options from which I could choose. I just did not do anything with my students technologically that met the criteria. After this course, I certainly hope to change this but at the time I had no other options. There will be many projects that I have students present without visual that I can add a tech component. I believe this to be necessary because students need to learn to be life-long learners and we all know that technology must be a part of that process.

Reflection It is disturbing to look back on finding my best student examples of student engagement through technology. Even though I’ve only been teaching for three years, one would think that would use technology in my lessons a little more frequently and certainly more effectively. In my defense, technology is hard to come by in my school. Often, I alone cannot get access to a computer and a projector for a simple power point so this begs that question: How will I get potentially 30 students’ hands at once on a computer? Regardless of my situation, if I want students to become technologically proficient, I must resolve the issue. I know that I need to apply for grants and bring my intentions to the board of education so that they are aware of this issue. I need to show them how important technology really is and what changes it can have on our students. I need to find ways to get my students’ hands on computers, interacting with others, and working toward common goals; reenacting what will happen in the work force after they graduate.

This process has provided insight for me that I otherwise would not have realized. Even though there’s a lack of technology in our building, something must be done to help our students get the “21st Century Skills” they are going to need to be successful.

Check out my best examples of technology below. I'm currently using one of them and the other I will be using in the near future! You can also listen to my podcast below that describes one of my best examples. Enjoy!