Instructional technology

Instructional Technology Final Project By: Amanda Ackermann

During the course of my student teaching I have incorporated various forms of technology such as wikispaces, smartboard interactive lessons, voki’s, and the use of computer labs for students to use the internet as a resource for whatever project we may be working on in class.

However, the one in particular that I would like to discuss is how I incorporated a wikispace into some of my RLA lessons. The 6th graders were working how to effectively write a compare/ contrast essay. Students worked together both individually and with partners from the pre-writing stage to the final draft.

In class, we used mindmaps.net for students to use a graphic organizer during the pre-writing/ “brainstorming” section of the unit. It was amazing to see the students’ enthusiasm and quality work once I introduced this web 2.0 tool for them to use.

. I saw a huge difference in student involvement when I incorporated technology to the times I did not. Student interest and engagement was remarkably lower when they were at their desks working on worksheets and rough drafts than when we used various web 2.0 tools such as mindmaps.net and wikispaces.com.

. I also created a wiki for these 6th graders to use. They LOVED it! I was so impressed with how detailed and engaged students were into their writing once they learned all the fun things they could do on the wiki. Students also had the great opportunity of giving insightful feedback to their peers.

They were required to post on at least three of their classmates. However, many of them posted on many, many more. In fact, there were even a few students who never put much effort into RLA class that was posting on everyone’s, even on the weekends. It was such a rewarding time seeing students becoming excited about their learning.

My cooperating teacher and I introduced other web 2.0 tools such as the voki to the students. Voki’s were also used to respond to journal type of questions and to comment on others. It is a great way to expand student’s knowledge and interest while still meeting the objectives. Throughout my weeks of student teaching, it has been very clear that if technology is used in a effective way, it will truly be a benefit for the student’s learning.