Technology in Education 2023-2024

The world around us is ever-changing. The students that sit in front of us on a daily basis are also changing. They are products of their environment- as are we… as is everyone in this world! With that in mind, educators need to continue learning about the world and the technological advances that are some of the biggest influencers to our youth.  When thinking about technology, my mind initially goes to safety on the internet. This is something that I regularly speak to my students about. They are over the conversations about stranger danger and protecting your personal information. Nowadays, I need to expand the conversation towards having students understand the difference between a credible and sage website versus one that can hack or take over your computer.  As I worry about our youth and how vulnerable the internet makes us all, I also think about the cybersecurity training my district has given me about maintaining privacy. When reviewing the data set out by Project To...

What is active learning? Active learning is a popular term among educators in 2023. It is a common phrase a candidate might hear when they are interviewing with a new school district. It is a term that captures a lot, but ultimately means one thing- students first.  Active learning can only happen in a student-centered classroom. Students need to take ownership over their learning. They need to make decisions, connections, etc. all on their own. If the students are not accountable for their learning, that is a personal choice the student is making. The teacher is not meant to hold their hand in this type of environment.  However, that is not to say that the teacher is not involved in the learning process. The teacher is still facilitating the classroom, ensuring students are on the right track, answering questions, etc. The teacher is able to give more individualized attention and instruction where it needs to be and at the student’s level because students are not in a whole-c...

We are all users of the internet and technology. After all, you’re reading this blog post on the internet, right? Regardless of how much or how often you use the internet and different applications, we are all involved in its progression and integration into our daily lives.  But, at what cost? Where do we draw the line between professional use and personal use? We may not know until we sit down and think about it. Once we look at each app on our cell phone and take inventory of what is there, we can then realize what is necessary to our routines, and what is there for more casual or informal use.  This can be considered the resident or visitor classification. If we use something often, we may regularly incorporate that form of technology into our routines to make our lives easier. For example, my notes app on my phone is something that I use often for both professional/work purposes and personal. I use the notes app often to keep track of, set reminders, etc. of some of the m...

Trends in Educational Technology- IXL When thinking about trends in educational technology, the first thought I have in my brain is of a pendulum and how my coworkers reminisce about Kagan Strategies, CLR (Culturally and Linguistically Responsive), etc. They often share about how in education, a lot of best practice or strategies are reinvented over the years and labeled differently. However, this is not what I will be discussing today.  Image/GIF Source: Grandfather Clock GIFs | Tenor In this blog post, I will explore a program called IXL and how that program is not only connected to equity and inclusion in education, but also gaming in education. The program, IXL, can be used in many different content areas with the same goal in mind- targeted instruction at a student’s specific level. With that being said, if you are not familiar with IXL and would like a quick (8 minute) run down, the recorded Loom may be beneficial for you.  Trends in Educational Technology - Watch Video ...

     The Technology Integration Matrix, or TIM for short, is a matrix that allows one to describe and assess their use of technology and how that enhances the learning process. The matrix is a detailed and organized approach to better explain and break down the characteristics of a learning environment and their corresponding sector with integrating technology. I find that slowing down our planning/teaching and reviewing these types of matrices allows the educator to not only assess their environment, but their intent with the planning as well. It helps to get educators out of the same wheel they may find themselves in after years and years of teaching the same content area. Pausing to review, assess, and make changes allows educators to realize that there is absolutely room for improvement as the years go on!      The Triple E Framework is goal oriented. The Triple E Framework represents engagement, enhancement, and extension. A rubric is also availab...