Technology Enhanced Lesson Used

I think it would be a great way to incorporate technology into a lesson that I already have planned. I have planned a guided reading lesson to do on Friday morning. This guided reading lesson is with a small group of students, around 5, and they will be introduced to a new book. I will make a powerpoint presentation to introduce the students to the new book. This could be a great visual way for students to be prepared for what they will be reading about. I will include slides that show new vocabulary that they will be exposed to as well as information about the author. Students may find it interesting to learn about the people who write the books they read. I think that by displaying this Powerpoint presentation on a laptop to the class would be a great way for students to access the information. When a small group of students is being taught, using one laptop should be sufficient for them to be able to see the information. I think that incorporating technology into lessons already planned and thought of is a much better way to use technology rather than base the lesson around the technology. Since I had planned on introducing a new book to a reading group, I figured that I could enhance the lesson by using technology, specifically Powerpoint.

Technology Enhanced Lesson

An idea to technologically enhance a lesson on simple machines--identification and their specific uses--would be to first introduce the concept of simple machines. Go over them so students are aware of the various types of machines. Then a way to check for understanding would be to go to an incredible website that can be displayed on the projector that is in my 3rd grade class. The website lets you go to a room, such as a kitchen, and then you can highlight various items in the room. Students can then be quizzed on what type of simple machine was used. This activity seems like it would be fun and engaging for the students. They can all interact with the website by suggesting what object in the room to highlight next. This technology is readily available for use in the classroom. The website is found at edheads.org. Once there, the simple machines activity can be found. The website is http://www.edheads.org

Classroom Inventory Technology

While doing the inventory of classroom technology I was rather surprised that the classroom did not have a permanent computer in it. The teacher brings her laptop everyday that students can access to, but I think it was unfortunate that there was not a classroom computer. I was glad to see that there was access to wireless internet though. I also thought it was interesting that every computer in the lab was a Mac computer. Mac computers are great, but I think it would be better to incorporate PC's as well so students are aware of them and their differences. In every 5th grade class at Deerfield, there is a classroom set of labtops and also a smartboard. I would love to see more technology in lower grades so that students are immersed in technology early on. I love the interactive intercom that the school uses. The office can contact the teacher through this intercom and the teacher can simply talk back and communicate. I was impressed with the school's technology and the resources available, but disappointed with each classrooms permanent technology.