Information & communication technology in Education
Learning Objectives:
After this tutorial, you should be able to:
- Identify examples of educational technology
- Understand the purpose of Atomic Learning
- Describe Web 2.0
- List five common mobile apps used in education
- Explain podcasts and the how they are used
- Identify examples of educational technology
- Understand the purpose of Atomic Learning
- Describe Web 2.0
- List five common mobile apps used in education
- Explain podcasts and the how they are used
Information & Communication Technology in Education
Information and communication technology provides effective technology integration strategies to educators in the K-12 arena. The class introduces key technology skills and explores current and emerging practices in educational technologies. ICT in Education also discusses educational theory topics such as constructivism, motivation, cooperative learning, cooperative problems solving, situated learning, peer instruction, and peer feedback.
using technology in the classroom
Interactive white boards are normally wall-mounted white boards that become interactive through the use of a computer, projector, and appropriate software. More often than not, these interactive white boards (IWB) are used in educational settings. However, there are some businesses that utilize them for training and meeting purposes. The idea behind this technology is enable learners to participate in the learning by moving around and interacting with the information. There are multiple options available on the market, including models that can turn any flat object (like a wall or other display panel) into an interactive white board using white board paint.
benefits of using interactive whiteboards
With the help of advances in technology, interactive white boards have evolved to fit a wide range of needs and uses. According to a 2003 article written by Stephen Brown of TechLearn, the following are some of the benefits of using interactive white boards:
- Users can write or draw on surface, print and/or save to computer
- Easy to use
- Can help teachers enhance presentation content
- Promotes group work with collaboration
- Helps visual learners to absorb information easily
disadvantages of using interactive whiteboard
As with advantages, comes some disadvantages. According to Stephen Brown's article (2003), the following are some of the disadvantages of using interactive white boards:
- Costs: expensive to purchase and replace if damaged
- Depending on placement, it can be difficult to see
- If free-standing, user needs to secure and realign it if it is moved
- Input can be difficult to decipher if there are a large amount of users at one time
educational apps
Atomic Learning
Atomic Learning is an online learning system founded by a group of technology educators. The idea behind the design is the serve the needs of educational institutions via its online solutions subscription. The system is available to both K-12 and higher education and provides more than 60,000 video tutorials of online professional development and learning resources.
Atomic Learning offers tutorials from a range of topics including:
Atomic Learning in Practice
I accessed Atomic Learning tutorials for Microsoft Office 2016 to look at what is new in Microsoft Office 2016 and what changes they have made to existing products. I learned of the changes to applications like Excel, PowerPoint, and One Note. I was also able to access learning tutorials for programs that are used by instructional designers like myself, such as Camtasia, Articulate Storyboard, and Blackboard Collaborate.
Atomic Learning is an online learning system founded by a group of technology educators. The idea behind the design is the serve the needs of educational institutions via its online solutions subscription. The system is available to both K-12 and higher education and provides more than 60,000 video tutorials of online professional development and learning resources.
Atomic Learning offers tutorials from a range of topics including:
- College and Career Readiness- Helps students prepare for college by focusing on soft skills and self-management skills needed to be successful at college.
- Student Safety Awareness- Helps students learn real-world safety lessons and skills to take control of their own safety both on and off campus.
- Instructional Practice- Provides faculty and staff with professional development tutorials to ensure they have the knowledge and skills needed to provide students with meaningful learning experiences.
- Technology Use- Provides video tutorials on over 250 of the most commonly-used technology devices and software applications.
- Customized Learning- Provides institutions with an opportunity to upload and manage their own training, policies, and resources.
- Accessible Instruction- Provides learning resources that are 508 & WCAG compliant and offers professional development workshops on assistive technology.
Atomic Learning in Practice
I accessed Atomic Learning tutorials for Microsoft Office 2016 to look at what is new in Microsoft Office 2016 and what changes they have made to existing products. I learned of the changes to applications like Excel, PowerPoint, and One Note. I was also able to access learning tutorials for programs that are used by instructional designers like myself, such as Camtasia, Articulate Storyboard, and Blackboard Collaborate.
WEB 2.0
Web 2.0 tools are easy to access online tools that teachers and learners can use for creating, collaborating, editing and sharing user-generated content online. These tools are generally easy to learn and do not require the user to download any programs or apps. The Discovery Education website offers access to many Web 2.0 tools such as:
- Presentation Tools- SlideShare, Prezi, PicsViewr
- Video Tools- PhotoPeach.com, Animoto.com
- Mobile Tools- PollEverywhere.com, Jott.com, Phone.io
- Community Tools- Edmodo.com, Google Docs, Classroom 2.0
Using Web 2.0 Tools in Education
Using Web 2.0 tools in education has almost become a must with teachers and students alike. A research study conducted by Yun-Jo An and Kevin Williams (2010) found that the most benefits of using Web 2.0 technology tools in the classroom come from the interaction,communication, and connectivity between students and teachers, the ease of use and flexibility, the gained writing and technology skills, and it enables students to become creators of knowledge.
The researchers, An & Williams (2010), mention that there are some obstacles that teachers encounter when using Web 2.0 tools in teaching. The uneasiness with the open nature of Web 2.0 technologies, technical problems that arise with the use of older computers, and the time it can take to learn and manage the technologies.
Using Web 2.0 tools in education has almost become a must with teachers and students alike. A research study conducted by Yun-Jo An and Kevin Williams (2010) found that the most benefits of using Web 2.0 technology tools in the classroom come from the interaction,communication, and connectivity between students and teachers, the ease of use and flexibility, the gained writing and technology skills, and it enables students to become creators of knowledge.
The researchers, An & Williams (2010), mention that there are some obstacles that teachers encounter when using Web 2.0 tools in teaching. The uneasiness with the open nature of Web 2.0 technologies, technical problems that arise with the use of older computers, and the time it can take to learn and manage the technologies.
Putting a web 2.0 app to use
One of the many apps offered as a part of Web 2.0 is Google Educational Apps, also known as G Suite. The document featured below was created with Microsoft Word but was saved in the cloud as a Google Doc so it could be shared with everyone. One of the many benefits with using a cloud service like Google Apps (or G Suite) is that the files can be stored in the cloud and you can share a link with others who can access, view, or edit them in real time.
module_three_newspaper.docx | |
File Size: | 125 kb |
File Type: | docx |
podcasts
Podcasts are short audio files that entered the mainstream with Apple’s original iPod. Cecilia Kang wrote in her 2014 Washington Times article that over 1 billion podcasts were downloaded by 2013. The amount of listeners garnered by one podcast speaks to the renewed popularity of podcasts. The interest in podcasts rose as Apple's iPod grew in popularity. After a brief decline in downloads, podcasts made a comeback with the integration of smartphones into daily life.
popularity of podcasts
Podcasts are a popular technology for a variety of reasons. However, Kang (2014) mentions in her article that the use of smartphones and the ability to download directly to the device has helped podcasts become more popular than ever. The reason some feel podcasts are better than the radio industry is because allow those doing the recording to cover more information without wasting time with commercials. Podcasters have more freedom to cover a wider range of topics and utilize shorter recording times to keep the listeners' attention.
assessment
This is a brief quiz to assess your understanding of the material in this workshop. Please answer each question using the information you have learned about Information & Communication Technology. Don't forget to enter your first and last name and click "submit."
references
An, Y., & Williams, K. (2010). Teaching with Web 2.0 technologies: Benefits, barriers and lessons learned. International Journal of Instructional Technology & Distance Learning. 7(3).
Retrieved from www.itdl.org/Journal/Mar_10/index.htm
Kang, C. (2014, September 25). Podcasts are back and making money. The Washington Post.
Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology
Retrieved from www.itdl.org/Journal/Mar_10/index.htm
Kang, C. (2014, September 25). Podcasts are back and making money. The Washington Post.
Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology