With the more recent push for STEM in education, we seemed to have jumped to the "T" component full force. We decided to push technology, in the form of iPads and computers, out to students for one-on-one and classroom use. Now we have started to notice that students spend too much time on technological devices, but we don't know how to balance the use of technology in our classrooms and the need to help students develop 21st century skills without going overboard. So what should be the goal for technology use? What are the best online programs to use and how often should we use them? How can we navigate the use of technology appropriately and in the best way for our students? I will start to delve into these questions through a series of blog posts on the use of technology in classrooms.
Let me start by reminding us all that technology should not be limited to a screen device such as a phone, iPad, or computer. Technology encompasses so much more including calculators, temperature probes, drones, digital scales, etc. Technology is any developed tool that can provide measurement, collect data, create, allow research, and communicate. The way that we use technology is what sets the tone for whether or not technology is effective in our classrooms.
There are many schools that provide time in the day to be set aside for technology use, specifically on a screened device. School districts may expect that we will use certain online programs or have students practice typing skills. All these things are important, but we do need to be mindful of not spending hours at a time online. I suggest having students work for 10-15 minutes at a time and then provide a brain break that gets students' eyes off the screen and even out of their seat.
Another concern with technology are the number of online resources out there. We can find new websites and programs each day to use in our classroom for all subject areas. I have used numerous sites over the past few years and have found the few that I like best, that I feel are most beneficial to my students, effective for teaching and assessing, and which are fun and easy for my students to use as well. Below I share some of my thoughts and uses of my favorite websites for the classroom. Most of these sites I have used in grades 4, 5, and 6 and found them to be effective for those grade levels, but many can also be used in grade levels below or above where I have incorporated them.
Reading/Writing
ReadWorks - Assign fiction and non-fiction articles to students with questions. / Easily track data on students comprehension and vocabulary.
Newsela - Assign articles on any topic. / Most articles include quiz questions. / Track student data on completed reading assignments. / Articles include new NGSS text sets.
Mathematics
IXL - Practice basic math skills. / Organized by grade level and topic. / 10 free questions per day with free version.
Freckle - Adaptive practice that covers every math strand at each grade level. / Includes a pre-test for each strand to place students. / Also includes printable worksheets for students based on their skill level.
XtraMath - Practice math facts for addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. / Set custom programs for students based on their needs.
Science
Legends of Learning - Free science games connected directly to NGSS.
Other
I would love to hear from you in the comments below. What are some of your favorite online websites or programs to use in the classroom?