What is the Technology Footprint in Your Classroom?

What is the Technology Footprint in Your Classroom?

Jan 28, 2011 By David R. Wetzel

What Is The Technology Foot Print In Your Classroom - jaylopez
Strategies and techniques are provided regarding the benefits of using digital tools to support teaching and learning in any content area or grade level.

In contrast to the technology teachers’ use in a classroom for their professional use, what is the technology (digital) footprint students’ use in your classroom? When effectively integrated into teaching and student learning, technology has the power to transform a classroom into an influential learning community. Within this digital community students use technology tools to create collaborative and personal learning networks to support their learning.

So what is the technology footprint? This is the digital toolbox containing offline and online technology tools and programs students select from as they complete assignments or projects. These digital tools may include and not limited to computers, iPod Touches, cell phones, online problem solving situations, blogs, podcasts, interactive websites, and other Web 2.0 tools.

Benefits of Optimizing a Classroom Digital Footprint: Building a Learning Community
Through optimizing the power of digital footprint within your classroom, students benefit by transforming from passive to active learners. The effective use of education technology components – hardware, software, interactive websites, online research sources, and blogs or wikis – means movement beyond the novelty of using technology. When incorporating technology within your curriculum, it must leverage students’ prior knowledge and experiences (PKE) with content.

By leveraging students’ PKE with technology components comprising a digital footprint, they are able to build learning communities within and outside the classroom. These communities are often referred to as personal learning networks. Regardless of term used, when describing this technology, group work has moved into the 21st century.

Using a classroom's digital toolbox students are gain new content knowledge with the assistance of technology to support collaborative team work and learning, instead of playing games or texting. This is an important skill they will need later in life as they enter the 21st century workforce.

To Continue to Read Full Article: http://www.suite101.com/content/what-is-the-technology-footprint-in-your-classroom-a339675#ixzz1CaKaRbPJ

Improving Access to Global Literacy for Students

Newspaper Map shows you the front pages of newspapers from around the world, displayed on a Google Map and lets you click on the front page to gain access to the entire newspaper. And, even better, with one quick click, you can choose the language you want the paper translated into. It’s very simple and easy to access!

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10 Steps for Educators New to Twitter

Educators from all around the world are beginning to use Twitter as a valuable piece in their professional growth toolbox. As professional development continues to evolve and transform, we will need new ways to encourage teachers to embrace new opportunities. Here is a "How to Twitter Guide" to share with new and veteran teachers. Enjoy!

1) - Sign up for your Twitter account! Click Here!

Sign up for your Twitter account and get started. Make sure to fill out your profile as much as possible, and it is also a great idea to make sure you upload a picture of yourself! Educators on Twitter will feel more comfortable knowing what you look like...it also helps to keep the social in social media - say cheese!

2) - Spend some time watching and observing others...

Take some time to learn the ins and outs of Twitter. This step is important because it will lay the foundation of how others are using and embracing Twitter as a professional development tool. If you are looking for a few awesome educators to follow and learn from, here is a great list to start with:

@gcouros @web20classroom @mcleod @NMHS_Principal @tomwhitby @kylepace @cybraryman1

@Becky_Ellis_ @principalspage @ShellTerrell @MrWejr @shannonmmiller @bhsprincipal @L_Hilt

3) - Talk to educators who are using Twitter...

I would be willing to bet that you learned about or heard something about Twitter from a colleague. This is great news! This means you most likely have someone in your building or in your district who is using Twitter, and this gives you the opportunity to question them about how they use Twitter as a professional development tool. Tap into their experience and find out how Twitter has affected them professionally. These colleagues can be huge when it comes to supporting you and your future growth and development. Treasure them!

Continue to full blog post by Justin Tarte- Life of an Educator:
http://justintarte.blogspot.com/2011/01/10-steps-for-educators-new-to-twitter.html